Orange County Solid Waste Management is celebrating spring by selling outdoor composters for only $50, cash or check, from their administrative office at 1207 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.

The "Earth Machine" is a black cylindrical unit that stands about 3 feet tall with a 2.5 feet wide base – think giant Darth Vadar helmet.

The outdoor unit is open to the soil and will hold about 80 gallons. Use it to turn vegetative waste from the yard, and fruit and vegetable scraps from the kitchen, into crumbly humus, the natural fertilizer.

To learn more about composting, a demonstration will be held at the Chapel Hill Community Center Learning Garden on Estes Drive on Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.