FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Elyria and Barnes Nursery announce yard waste
recycling agreement
Barnes Nursery to operate Elyria Compost Facility
Elyria, Ohio, November 3, 2014 – the City of Elyria and Barnes Nursery announced they have reached a
multi-year agreement under which Barnes Nursery will operate Elyria’s Compost Facility at 45 Chestnut
St.
The agreement covers the operations of the facility and marketing of compost and mulch derived from
recycling of the city’s yard waste. Yard waste shall include brush, tree and shrub trimmings, discarded
garden plants, grass, leaves, woodchips, firewood, Christmas trees, sod and soil. No wood pieces can
exceed 13” in diameter – no root bulbs or large bushes/limbs are accepted. All yard waste must be
bagged in brown yard waste bags to be accepted – no garbage bags will be accepted as the plastic does
not decompose. If residents bring yard waste to the facility in garbage bags they must manually empty
the contents and take the garbage bags back home with them.
The City of Elyria has a population of approximately 55,000 and 22,000 households. The City generates
approximately 22,000 cubic yards of yard waste annually – this waste is being diverted from the landfill
by going to this site. The city residents can drop off clean yard waste at the compost facility during the
established open hours. Hours will coincide with the seasons; until December 7, 2014 the hours of
operation will be Mondays and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Elyria City crews have begun autumn leaf collection. There are approximately 8 crews deployed
throughout the City collecting raked leaves from curb lawns. Residents are reminded to NOT rake leaves
into the roadway.
“We look forward to a great working partnership with Barnes Nursery. They have a depth of experience
in this field and residents will see an emphasis from them on customer service and efficiency”, Mary
Siwierka, Safety Service Director “the City’s facility at 45 Chestnut Street is an excellent centralized
location”.
Barnes Nursery will receive yard waste at the site. Products derived from recycled yard waste will be
sold at the facility, beginning in 2015. These products include mulch, topsoil blends, planting mix, and
compost.
“The clean yard trimmings and leaves are excellent materials to process and compost into organic
materials used to improve landscapes and soils,” said Bob Schanz, Manager of Recycling Operations for
Barnes Nursery. Barnes Nursery began its composting operations in 1992 at their Huron, Ohio location
and currently serves many other northern Ohio communities.
For Barnes Nursery: Bob Schanz 419-433-5525 For City of Elyria: Mary Siwierka 440-326-1404
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