Portsmouth Celebrates Earth Day and Arbor Day

April 22, 2018

*April 24, 2018 Update: The entire supply of compost bins is now gone.

As we approach Earth Day this Sunday, April 22nd, the City of Portsmouth continues to work to make food waste composting easier for residents.

The Department of Public Works is again offering backyard compost bins, a $100 retail value, free to residents. Last year, Public Works was pleased to see the community take advantage of this offer and quickly see their entire supply distributed. A new supply of bins is now available for residents to pick up at the front desk of the Public Works facility at 680 Peverly Hill Road. Residents are also welcome to drop off their food waste at the Recycling Center.

“Since adding a food waste drop-off location at the Recycling Center and offering these bins, we are pleased to see resident participation and ongoing conversations of interest in expanding these efforts,” said Jacob Levenson, Solid Waste Sustainability Coordinator for Portsmouth. “This community continues to maintain an impressive 55% average landfill diversion rate and I am hopeful to see that trend continue.”

Acceptable items to compost include:

  • food scraps: vegetables, fruit and meat (please remove any stickers from vegetables or fruit);
  • eggshells;
  • coffee grounds and filters;
  • paper napkins, plates and towels;
  • tea bags (please remove staples);
  • muffin wax wrappers;
  • flowers and floral trimmings;
  • wooden corks;
  • all corn-based cups and utensils; and
  • paper bags and/or compostable bags.

The City will also be celebrating Arbor Day in Haven Park this year on Friday, April 27th. The Arbor Day Foundation has again recognized Portsmouth, now for over twenty years, as a Tree City USA. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. Portsmouth achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least two dollars per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

“Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

On April 27th, the City will be celebrating Arbor Day at 8:00 a.m. in Haven Park, where Mayor Jack Blalock will read a proclamation and celebrate the occasion alongside community members, arborists and City councilors. Additionally, the City and groups such as Cornerstone Tree Care, Northeast Shade Tree, Piscataqua Landscaping and New England Tree will celebrate the day by volunteering to care for trees in the Park. Following the Mayor’s proclamation, participants will lead a public demonstration and discussion on techniques to hazard prune trees and improve tree health.  

Other helpful information and sustainable practices to keep in mind:

Tree City USA logo