PORTSMOUTH — The town is offering recycling bins, compost bins and rain barrels to residents year-round.

“The Town of Portsmouth is expanding recycling and waste reducing opportunities,” said Sanne Kure-Jensen, the town’s recycling coordinator. “Recycle bins help residents sort recycling materials at home and reduce the number of plastic bags thrown away after delivering recyclables at transfer stations. By composting food scraps and yard waste at home, residents reduce transportation costs of sending waste to the R.I. Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) Central Landfill.”

Residents can collect chlorine-free rainwater for container plants and gardens using a recycled 60-gallon rain barrel. A sample rain barrel and downspout diverter is available for viewing in the lobby of Portsmouth Town Hall, where residents can pick up an order form.

The barrels are recycled food containers used by a local importer of olives and capers. Rain barrels come in a choice of green, gray or dark brown. They include instructions and resin fittings: spigot, drainage plug and overflow. Multiple barrels can be linked together to store even more rainwater and offer reserves for extended dry periods or droughts.

Residents can purchase recycling bins for $7 each and compost bins for $45 each at Portsmouth Town Hall.

Rain barrels are $89 each, and “Save the Rain” downspout diverters cost $30 and $37.50, depending on the size. Residents can pre-order a rain barrel and diverter from the RI Water Lady by April 15 by mail, by calling 401/486-5389 or online at http://bit.ly/PortsmouthRainBarrels.

When it’s ready, residents can pick up their rain barrel at the Portsmouth Department of Public Works, 143 Hedly St., from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. For every rain barrel sold, the RI Water Lady will donate $10 to the Portsmouth Recycles program.

Formed in 2008, Portsmouth’s Solid Waste/Recycling Committee is a group of professionals, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to increase the town’s recycling rate and to promote responsible waste handling, recycling and composting. The committee reviews Portsmouth’s solid waste disposal and recycling programs and makes recommendations to the Town Council. The committee works toward fostering a better understanding of product disposal and packaging material, aimed at a “zero waste” goal.

The committee has sponsored recycling equipment and education at Portsmouth High School. Public Works Director David Kehew and committee volunteers coordinate specialized waste disposal days such as the biennial Eco Depot and hard plastic collection at PHS.

For more information on recycling in Portsmouth, visit www.portsmouthri.com/181/Portsmouth-Recycles, call 401/643-0359 or e-mail SKureJensen@PortsmouthRI.com.