Right now, the facility turns mulch into compost one batch at a time, Komiske said. The mulch is laid out about six feet high and rotated every couple of days.

It takes about 100-110 days for the batch to decompose enough to become compost, in the process shrinking to about three to four feet deep. So compost is only available every three months or so.

"In our new facility, we'll have more room and hopefully have a couple batches going (at one time)," Komiske said. That way, residents can pick up compost at shorter intervals.

The city gives away compost for free if residents will load it themselves. Or the city can load it for $10 per load.

The facility also gives out mulch at any time.

"That's still pretty good for protecting your plants and stuff," Komiske said.

Mulching and composting is "one of the original ways of recycling," he said. The city's composting facility keeps about 10,000 tons of waste out of the landfill every year.

"This way we keep all that yard waste out of the landfill," he said.

For more information about the City of Norman's compost facility, call 292-9725.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com