Effective yard waste management reduces waste and recycles organic materials. Although yard waste is biodegradable, landfills do not get the oxygen and water needed for breakdown. Landfills are constructed to prevent movement of air and moisture in order to protect the surrounding environment. These materials can be better put to use enhancing our gardens and landscapes.

A good rule is to practice the three Rs: reduce yard waste generation, reuse trimmings and prunings on site, and recycle organic products (compost and mulch) back into the landscape. By following the suggestions below, you can cut the waste generated through your landscaping practices and save time and money.

Tips for working half as hard in the yard:          

• Grasscycling – Mow without a bag and leave grass clippings on the lawn, saving time, energy and valuable landfill space. Plus, your lawn will love the nutrients! Grasscycling is a combination of common-sense watering, mowing and fertilizing practices. The frequency of watering and mowing will depend on the type of grass in your yard. Remove no more than one-third of the grass blade surface at any time. To learn more click here.
• Mulching – Mulch is any organic material such as wood chips, grass clippings, leaves and compost, that is spread over the surface of the soil, locking in moisture and reducing soil temperatures and plants’ need for water while restricting weeds by blocking sunlight, and serving as a blanket for plants in winter by helping maintain constant soil temperature. Mulching is one of the cheapest water conservation techniques.
• Composting provides an almost constant source of free fertilizer and soil conditioner. Benefits include improving the structure of the soil, maintaining healthy plant growth, helping conserve water and removing organics from garbage and putting them to good use in the environment. Click here to find out more about composting, from common terms to homemade bin samples.
• Leaf Management - During the fall and early winter, when lawns stop growing and the leaf rake replaces the lawnmower, tree leaves become a major component of lawn wastes. Mowing, mulching and composting are several ideas for keeping these wonderfully beneficial by-products of our beautiful Medicine Hat landscapes out of the curbside collection system.

The following publications are available for download. These publications are provided courtesy of Paul van der Werf, M.Sc. President, 2cg Inc. Waste Management Consulting Services