BELFAST — Tired of seeing all of those kitchen leftovers from preparing meals and snacks get thrown out in the trash or eaten by critters in your makeshift composting bin in the backyard? Here's your chance to turn those scraps into a rich soil amendment.

As part of Earth Day 2016 celebrations, the Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation District is participating in a statewide backyard composting tool sale. The home compost bin and how-to guide is being offered at a price of $54.00, the Sure-Close kitchen scrap pail at $13.50, a compost turner for $24.00, compost thermometer for $25.50, and the Systern Rain Barrel for $72.00.

The compost bin called the Earth Machine Composter is black has a 10-year warranty and is made of 100 percent recycled plastic. It is approximately 35" high and 33" wide or large enough for a family of five. The Sure-Close Kitchen Scrap Pail has a two-gallon capacity and is attractive and easy to use with a hinged lid that snaps securely to the pail. The Wingdigger Compost Aerator/Turner is of tubular steel construction, 31" long and easily lifts and mixes more decomposed bottom layers with newer compost while it decreases compaction and aerates. The TEOTEMP Backyard Compost Thermometer with a 20" stem is designed for monitoring interior temperatures in a backyard-sized compost bin with a range between 0 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The last item being offered is the Systern Rain Barrel which is great for collecting rain water for gardening and has a 55-gallon capacity. It's unique shape and neutral color blends into any landscape and is made of polyethylene; up to 50 percent recycled material. It features a built-in mosquito mesh that keeps out bugs and debris and has an overflow capability.

It is estimated that 25 percent of the average household's waste consists of yard trimmings and kitchen scraps which can be easily composted. Please contact the Waldo County Soil & Water Conservation District at 207-338-1964 ext. 4 or kym.sanderson@me.nacdnet.net to learn more or obtain an order form.