Cupertino residents can take free composting classes this fall

Nothing stinks about free composting classes — as long as you’re plugging your nose.

Cupertino residents have a chance to learn about backyard composting this fall.

The free community classes on Compost Basics will be held on Sept. 2 and Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon and are hosted by the Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County.

The program aims to educate community members about composting and offer technical resources. Master Composter volunteers will teach attendees how to transform leaves, grass and food scraps from their home and backyard into a compost pile or worm bin, which can be used to fertilize home landscaping and gardens.

Cupertino’s classes are held at the Environmental Education Center at McClellan Ranch Preserve, 22221 McClellan Road and are made possible through funding from the City of Cupertino and Santa Clara County’s UC Cooperative Extension Composting Education Program (UCCE CUP). For a countywide schedule, visit www.ucanr.edu/compost.

Upon completion of a compost class, Cupertino residents can obtain a free Soil Saver compost bin. Only one free bin per household will be provided.

The program requests attendees to register for classes in advance at UCCE Composting Education Program registration, or by calling 408-918-4640.