For the 4th year in a row, the Central Oklahoma Storm Water Alliance (COSWA) member cities of Edmond, Yukon, Midwest City, Norman, and Oklahoma City are partnering with Upcycle Products Inc. in a regional effort to encourage Oklahoma residents to conserve water, reduce water pollution, improve air quality, and divert waste from landfills through the use of rain barrels and compost bins.

Rain barrels are a simple, efficient, and low-cost method that reduce the amount of stormwater runoff leaving your property by collecting the water that drains from your home’s gutter system. The stored water can be used to water your lawn and gardens, wash your car or even the dog! Using a rain barrel during the summer months may help reduce your utility bill by easing your reliance on City water.

Small-scale composting diverts food scraps and yard waste, which compose 20-30% of what we throw away, from landfills. The finished compost can then be applied to your lawn and gardens as a nonchemical fertilizer and will improve the soil’s structure and water retention, and grow healthier, more disease-resistant plants. An additional benefit is that organics recycled in a backyard compost bin have a lower impact on our environment than they would if the materials were dumped in a landfill. The methane produced by organic material breaking down in a landfill is a contributor to global climate change.

The partnership allows Upcycle Products to offer discounted rain barrels to Oklahoma residents at $63.50 and composters at $59.50 or $109.50. To view Upcycle’s products and place an order for pick-up in Edmond, visit Edmond's order page on Upcycle’s website.