Yard Waste

Grasscycling

Grasscycling simply means leaving grass clippings on the lawn to promote a greener, healthier lawn. Any lawnmower can be used, but mulching lawnmowers cut the grass into smaller pieces and filter them back into the lawn, reducing clippings from clumping together or being tracked into a home or business.

Reasons to Grasscycle

The following are reasons to participate in grasscycling:

  • Reduces labor for bagging, hauling, and disposing of grass clippings
  • Helps reduce worker injuries related to heavy lifting
  • Allows worms to do their job, recycling clippings naturally and improving soil quality
  • Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers by up to 50% and the cost of maintaining lawn health
  • Improves water retention and reduces fertilizer and sediment run-off

Mulch 'em, Compost 'em or Bag 'em!

Leaves covering a storm drain opening

  • Like grass clippings, fall leaves can also be mulched into the lawn.
  • Add leaves to your compost pile and use it to return vital nutrients back to the soil.
  • Bag in clear plastic bags and leave on the curb line to be picked up by Waste Management on your regularly scheduled trash pickup day.

Street Sweepers

The street sweepers you may see on your street are there to pick up the leaves that fall on the street and only those leaves that fall on the street. They are not equipped to remove a large amount of leaves, such as those raked intentionally from a yard into the street.

Clogging Storm Drains

Trees and other vegetation next to streams which drop their leaves into and around the stream, are OK, but as with many things in life, too much can be a bad thing.

Leaves clog stormwater pipes and cause street flooding. Too much decomposing organic waste also adds excess nutrients into our streams and bay causing algal blooms which can be harmful to pets and humans. As algae dies, it uses oxygen in the water and can cause fish kills.

Remember, only rain down the storm drain!