Elburn becomes no-burn village, composting allowed

by Martha Quetsch
Elburn residents who typically burn their leaves will have to bag them for disposal instead, under a new local ordinance designed to improve the environment.
“We're reducing our collective carbon footprint in the village,” Elburn trustee Bill Grabarek said.
Starting in two weeks, residents must bag their leaves and other yard waste, such as grass, trimmings and brush, for disposal, trustees said during Monday's Village Board meeting.
The village's garbage hauler, Waste Management, will pick up yard-waste bags at no additional charge to customers; however, residents must purchase them. Large, paper, yard-waste bags are available at stores, including Jewel in Elburn, currently priced at $2.99 for five.
Trustees also decided to allow compost piles as an alternative to bagging. Composting is a biological process by which microorganisms decompose organic waste, producing a material that can be used as soil conditioner.
Compost piles will be allowed on residential lots, but must not be located less than 20 feet from adjoining properties. The minimum size for a compost pile is two-feet square and the maximum is five feet in height and width and 10 feet long. Residents must maintain their compost piles by turning the waste material regularly to prevent unpleasant odors and the attraction of rodents. Compost piles also need to be properly contained.
“Material must be put in a compost structure so it will not blow around,” Village Attorney Bob Britz said.
Among materials that may be composted are landscape waste reduced in size to a half-inch in diameter to one foot long; coffee grounds and filters; tea bags; lint; eggshells; sawdust; livestock manure; and fruits and vegetables.
Trustee Gordon Dierschow proposed the burning ban last November, because he wants to improve local air quality, particularly for those with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
The burning ban will not prohibit backyard bonfires for cooking and enjoyment, as requested by trustee Grabarek. Bonfires must be within a stone, masonry or metal fire pit or ring or within commercially manufactured, portable fireplaces. The fuel must be dry, seasoned wood. No yard or household waste may be burned.
Bonfires must be attended at all times by someone at least 18 years old, until the flames are extinguished.
The village will continue offering free, curbside pickup of large branches. As in the past, branches must tied with twine into bundles of four feet or less. For a first offense, the fine for illegal burning is $25. Repeat offenders possibly would have to appear in Kane County Circuit Court, facing penalties of up to $750.

05/09/2008