Registration Open For Spring Master Composter Program

“Composted material helps with plant nutrition, soil life and soil structure- an overall benefit for a healthy lawn and garden with minimal negative impacts to the environment,” Kirwin said.

Registration is now open for the spring Master Composter Program, organized by the City of San Marcos and Bobcat Blend, a student-run composting organization at Texas State University.

The program is administered by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (S.T.A.R.) and is designed to educate and promote composting in the San Marcos community.

“An estimated 20-30 percent of residential trash waste can be diverted from the landfill and composted,” said Amy Kirwin, Community Enhancement Initiatives Manager. “Composted material helps with plant nutrition, soil life and soil structure- an overall benefit for a healthy lawn and garden with minimal negative impacts to the environment.” 

What is composting?

Composting results in humus-rich material that has a unique ability to improve the chemical balance, texture and biological characteristics of soils. Without composting, garbage thrown into landfills will increase and chemical pesticides will be active in our gardens to kill plants and microorganisms. Composting promotes plant growth with the help of bacteria, insects and worms.

What CAN be composted?

Fruits, vegetables, egg shells, soiled paper

What CAN NOT be composted?

Dairy, meats, breads, fats and oils, plastic, metal or glass

Program expectations:

$20 for textbook

20 hours of total classroom time

20 hours of volunteering within 12 months of classroom completion

Classroom Dates and Times:

March 19, 21, 26 and 28 from 6-8:30 p.m.

March 24 and 31 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location:

San Marcos Discovery Center

430 Riverside Dr. (IH-35 and Riverside Dr.)

People interested in signing up, or wanting more information for the Master Composter Certification should contact Resource Recovery at 512.393.8419 or akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov.