Prices do not include tax and Ramsey County residents receive $20 off compost bins.

Home composting is a way to trim your trash and get free garden mulch or soil supplement at the same time. Use your bin to compost food scraps, including fruit and vegetable peels, breads, pastas, grains, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells and tea bags. Yard wastes such as leaves, grass and garden waste can also be composted.

Naturally occurring microbes convert the material to a useful organic soil amendment or mulch. Gardeners use compost to improve the soil and to add nutrients needed for plant growth. Incorporating compost into light, sandy soil helps it hold moisture and nutrients, while adding it to heavy soil improves drainage.

Collecting rainwater also offers many advantages to the homeowner. Rainwater is naturally soft, devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride or other chemicals. This helps improve the health of lawn and gardens. Rain barrels can hold up to 45 gallons of water, reducing water usage and saving money.

Get information about dates and locations to pick up compost bins and rain barrels and order bins or barrels at www.recycleminnesota.org or 651-641-4560.