Recycling

Recycling in the Yard

THE CHALLENGE
Michigan Public Act 264 reads, "leaves, grass clippings, vegetable or other garden debris, shrubbery, or brush or tree trimmings less than 4 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter" will no longer be accepted in Michigan landfills or incinerators.

THE SOLUTION
Three options offer you choices for handling yard trimmings in a way that's best for you and your yard.

• 1. Most cities and villages, and some townships offer special collection programs for fall leaves, spring brush or winter holiday trees. Check with your local government office for more information.
• 2. Private drop-off sites and pick-up collection services, offered by waste haulers and yard care companies, accept yard trimmings for a fee.
• 3.Handling at least some yard trimmings in your own yard-by grass recycling, mulching or home composting-can save money and time while benefiting your yard.

Grass Recycling
Let your mower help you handle grass clippings. Returning clippings back to your lawn saves time by eliminating stop-and-go bagging and feeds your lawn a natural time-release fertilizer without casuing thatch. Golf cources recycle clippings with great results.

To return clippings to the lawn, keep the mower blade sharp and mow only when the grass is dry and before it grows too long.

Any type of mower will work. An older mower without a bag, an older mower with a new mulching conversion kit, and a new mulching mower all work well at returning clippings to your lawn. Ask your mower service agent to recommend the most effective and safe option for your mower. A bagging option is useful if the grass is too long or too wet to leave on the lawn.

Mulching
Mulching is a useful way to use bagged grass clippings. Spreading a one-inch layer of grass clippings, wood chips or other materials over exposed soil deters weed growth, feeds nutrients to the soil, and retains even soil moisture and temperature.

Home Composting
Composting is a natural process. Earthworms and other decomposers breakdown or recycle organic materials into a dark, nutrient-rich, soil component called compost. Composting can take four months to over a year depending on how well you tend to the decomposers' basic needs for food, water, and oxygen.

Locate your pile in relative shade to reduce evaporation. Place the pile within reach of a spray hose to occassionally moisten materials to the consistency of a wrung out sponge.

In the fall or early spring, fill your compost bin with leaves. Leaves, wood chips, dead flower and materials will compost alsone, but adding some nitrogen-rich materials, such as grass clippings, cow or horse manure, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peelings (optional), will speed the composting process. Too much grass is the most common cause of a smelly pile. To avoid overhwelming your compost pile consider bagging your grass every other mowing or only when the grass is too long or too wet to leave on the lawn.

Avoid cooked foods, meat & dairy products, bones, and cat litter which can attract pests and encourage disease. Exclude brush and twigs which are slow to decompose. If you wish, occassionally turn or mix the pile to add oxygen and distribute moisture in the pile. Finished compost looks like dark crumbly soil. Incorporate this "black gold" into your garden soil for added nutrients.

What If I Don't Want to Compost or Recycle My Yard Clippings
Brush is difficult to manage at home. As a result, most cities and villages offer seasonal collections for brush, winter holiday trees, as well as fall leaves. Call your local government office for details.

Waste haulers (listed under "Rubbish") and lawn care services (listed under "Lawn Maintenance") provide pick-up services for a fee.

Drop-off sites for a nominal fee.

• Kalamazoo Landscape Supplies, 5111 S. 9th Street, 375-8000
• Miller Road Transfer Station, 2606 Miller Road, 388-3346
• Mulder's Landscape Supplies, 3333 Ravine Road, 345-6900

Thanks for being part of the solution!