Join the City of Knoxville, Knox County and their Partners on October 3rd from 9a-3p at West Town Mall parking lot for a Rain Barrel and Compost event

Earth Machine® composters will be on sale at less than half of the normal retail price on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the West Town Mall parking lot, from 9AM to 3PM, while supplies last.

The bins will be sold for $40.00, tax included (cash and checks only, please).

"We are offering the Earth Machine? at a discounted price to encourage residents to compost table scraps, grass and leaves so that we can reduce the volume of yard debris and trash that is picked up and taken to the landfill," said John Homa, City of Knoxville Solid Waste Project Manager.

With the application of compost to gardens, watering bills are reduced by up to 30 percent and the need for chemical fertilizers is lessened, the mayor noted. The Earth Machine® composter is a convenient, "no turning required" receptacle. The lid locks securely on top, and the compost is easily harvested though a sliding door at the bottom. The dimensions are 33 inches high and 33 inches in diameter, with an 80-gallon capacity. The strong but light "recycled plastic" construction, and simple snap-together assembly, will ensure it fits into an automobile.

The Earth Machine backyard composter is manufactured by Norseman Plastics, and has been brought to a thousand municipalities in the United States and Canada.

Systern Rain Barrels will be on sale at less than half of the normal retail price on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the West Town Mall parking lot, from 9AM to 3PM, while supplies last.

The barrels will be sold for $50.00, tax included (cash, checks and credit cards).

Have you ever watched a river of rainwater run down your driveway into the lake or storm sewer? Or even worse, seep into your basement? Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels is a good solution to these problems and it also helps alleviate stressed water systems and conserve limited resources

A rain barrel is any type of container used to catch water flowing from a downspout. Rain barrels reduce the amount of stormwater runoff by collecting roof runoff and storing the rainwater for future use.

They provide an alternative to tap water for watering lawns and flower gardens.

They will help reduce peak volume and velocity of stormwater runoff reaching lakes and rivers.

They will help reduce peak water demands during the summer months.

Rainwater can actually help improve the health of your gardens, lawn and trees. Rainwater is naturally "soft" and devoid of minerals, chlorine and other chemicals found in city water.