Actual Compost

RantWoman has been posting so much in recent eons about metaphorical compost, perhaps her readers will appreciate glad tidings of some actual real biological, fertilizer type waste management compost. The press release makes no mention of either Nasturtiums in Salad Friend or Dear Friend; RantWoman hopes her readers can contain their disappointment on that score. RantWoman also CORRECTED a gross misstatement of said toilet's location!

For an extra exotic touch, RantWoman is going to experiment with posting an actual graphic in appreciation of the tastes of all her readers who probably crave something besides the acres of words RantWoman can crank out.

Finally, for readers who need info about p-patches, community gardens that RantWoman joyously embraces as a part of Seattle community life, see:

P-Patch Community Gardens

And here, text of the press release
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 3:13 pm
Subject: Seattle's First Public Compost Toilet
City of Seattle

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Stella Chao, Director

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Jake Hanson; 206.733.9595; jake.hanson@seattle.gov Lois Maag; 206.615.0950; lois.maag@seattle.gov

Seattle Installs First Public Composting Toilet
Picardo Farm P-Patch to Celebrate Achievement April 3, 2010

March 25, 2010(SEATTLE, WA)

--Installing permanent restrooms into public areas can often be amassive hassle, especially without easy access to sewage systems. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is pleased to introduce Seattle’s first public composting toilet, which was recently installed by community garden volunteers at our very own Picardo Farm P-Patch. The Picardo Farm Garden was the first Seattle P-Patch, established in 1976 based on the idea that “you give back what you put in,” offered by site owner Rainie Picardo. For years, the 281 plot gardeners of Picardo Farm have pined for a permanent restroom, voting in an early 2000s planning process on a composting toilet as a solution to the tipsy Honey Bucket, leased only from April to October.

The new composting toilet will serve as a convenient relief to the gardeners and visitors. The Clivus Multrum M54W is not only a composting system, but the building that houses the restroom. The water-tight section underneath holds lightly packed wood shavings along with a solar powered bilge-pump to convert the matter to carbon dioxide and distribute it throughout the shavings. Solar-powered fans are also built into the building to produce fresh air, and upon periodic maintenance all matter composted can be removed and distributed elsewhere as fertilizer.

Picardo Farm gardeners have pursued this project through many hurdles. A Neighborhood Matching Fund award that provided funding was only the first step. Ultimately multiple permits were required from county and city agencies and a professional engineer was hired to help steward the process.

At 12:30 p.m. on Saturday April, 3, the Department of Neighborhoods will host apublic celebratory opening of the newest Picardo feature, located at the intersection of 25th Ave NE and NE 82nd. The 1 p.m. ribbon cutting will be followed by garden tours.

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods provides programs and service that engage residentsin civic participation, foster stronger communities, make government more accessible, and preserve and enhance the character of Seattle’s neighborhoods.