Polk County residents who dont know what to do with their food waste have a chance next week to learn about a way to recycle that waste to improve their gardens.

The Polk County Recreation Advisory Board is sponsoring From Garbage to Garden, a forum about composting organic waste.

The forum will be held next Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Polk County Isothermal Community College in Columbus.

Mark Byington, a member of the Polk County Recycling Board, announced the forum last week at the Polk County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Byington said the board is really excited about its award-winning recycling program and is now looking at getting organic waste out of the landfill.

Generally, he said, about 25 percent of municipal waste is yard clippings and food waste, which creates methane gas.

We can figure out a way to divert that, said Byington.

The featured speaker next week will be Brian Rosa, an organic recycling specialist with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.