This year, the
Somerville Spring Cleanup was organized at seven volunteer sites across
the city, focusing on the city's parks, community gardens, schoolyards
and major squares, according to the press release from Mayor Curtatone.
This year, new locations included Broadway from Winter Hill to East
Somerville, and the city estimated that there were a similar number of
participants as in recent years, perhaps as many as 400 though no
official count was available.

After dropping their garbage bags
off, volunteers headed over to Nunziato Field for a barbecue, and to
the neighboring Community Growing Center for the SomerGreen Festival,
an eco-fair that convened organizations and community groups that
promote green living.

Those who missed Saturday's clean up but
still want to take advantage of Somerville's green programs may want to
consider picking up a city-subsidized composter. The 10-gallon Earth
Machine, which is essentially a three-foot high plastic cylinder with
adjustable vents, is a good option for people looking to reduce their
kitchen and yard waste, and can produce enough soil for a small garden.
With a $40 check and proof of residency, people can pick one up from
the Somerville Department of Public Works, located at 1 Franey Road on
the corner of Cedar Street and Broadway behind Trum Field,
Monday-Saturday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.

For those without the space
or motivation to mind their own compost pile, Groundwork Somerville
will pick it up, as those stopping by the SomerGreen fest may have
found out. Groundwork Somerville's new fee-based SoilCycle program will
provide weekly compost pick-ups by bicycle, and is advertised as
"youth-run" and "sustainably-powered" – which basically means that its
users can feel good about supporting local youth jobs as well as the
environment.