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Portland, OR February 2004 ? Composting has been gaining popularity for good reason, but it can be highly impractical for gardeners who have limited yard space and live in urban areas. The open compost heaps commonly used in rural locations can lead to serious problems with pests and unpleasant odors, and many municipalities and homeowners? associations have banned them entirely. Sealed tumblers solve these two problems, but most of them prevent sufficient air from entering the container and mixing with materials, slowing down the process by as much as 90 percent and forcing home gardeners to wait several months before refuse becomes usable compost. The Urban Compost Tumbler?/UCT9 from D&P Industries is the only sealed compost tumbler that allows appropriate amounts of oxygen to enter the chamber and mix with materials, vastly increasing the speed and efficiency of composting ? and inspiring more people to take advantage of the benefits of composting than ever before.

Named for its 9.5 cubic foot (71 gallon) barrel, the UCT9 is attractively designed to fit the limited yard space common in urban areas. Made of 100 percent recycled food grade plastic, the UCT9 consists of a barrel mounted vertically on an A-frame stand that keeps it well above ground for easy hand rotation. The UCT9?s patented central aeration tube allows maximum oxygen flow into the chamber while also assisting with moisture control. Oxygen is crucial to the tumbler?s speed and efficiency because aerobic (oxygen breathing) bacteria work far faster than other microbes. The UCT9 also features a patented break-up bar and baffles to aid in the mixing process. Working in combination, these features help ensure that materials are thoroughly mixed in the tumbler, thus effectively preventing ?balling up? and ensuring high quality, useable composting in a matter of weeks rather than months.

The UCT9 is black in color to maximize heat absorption and further speed the process of turning refuse into useable compost. The tumbler?s aboveground design and a special spigot and receptacle permit easy collection and storage of the nutrient rich fertilizing ?compost tea? prized by many gardeners and horticulturists. The unit is securely sealed, effectively protecting pets and small children from the potentially harmful effects of decomposing fruits, vegetables and kitchen waste. The UCT9 comes with a 10-year guarantee on materials and workmanship.

?Composting redefines yard and kitchen waste as a resource,? said D&P Industries President and CEO Lloyd Phillips. ?Unfortunately, many people who would like to compost simply don?t have the yard space or time for traditional compost systems. The UCT9 will encourage urban homeowners and gardeners to finally take advantage of the many benefits of this time-tested practice.?

?Compost can be used in just about all types of gardening applications and it makes great potting soil for household plants,? said James Dahlstrom, D&P Industries? Executive Marketing Director. ?It?s a godsend to container gardeners, not to mention gourmets who want to grow and cook with organic herbs, fruits and vegetables, homeowners who can find a convenient way to dispose of leaves and lawn trimmings and, of course, environmentally conscious people who want to help conserve dwindling landfills. Compost can be mixed with clay soil to increase water absorption and prevent flooding. And compost makes an outstanding nutrient for all types of plants ? it can help suppress diseases and ward off pests and weeds without pesticides or herbicides.?

?The UCT9 is making composting a lot more practical and, therefore, a lot more popular. That?s good for gardens, good for homes, good for cities, and good for the environment,? said Lloyd Phillips.

For more, see the attached fact sheet. For further information or to purchase an Urban Compost Tumbler?/UCT9 see http://www.UrbanGardenCenter.com. To purchase by phone, call 1-877-546-4400.