Press Release


DON'T LEAVE THOSE LEAVES BEHIND
Waste Management offers tips for autumn gardening

Simi Valley, October 14, 2009 - Fall is quickly approaching and soon the foliage brightening our trees will begin littering our lawns, sidewalks and gutters. Waste Management of Ventura County wants to remind customers recycled leaves and grass clippings can be used as a fertilizer to help produce healthier lawns, plants and flowers.

"It is estimated up to one-third of household garbage is organic waste from yards and kitchens, which is just the type of material used for composting," said Mike Smith, Director of Operations for Waste Management. "Whether you do it yourself at home or purchase compost or mulch from a greenwaste recycler, yard trimmings can serve as a rich nutrient for your soil."

Both compost and mulch can be made from leaves, but they are not the same. Compost is made up of decomposed leaves and other organic matter that is mixed into soil as a nutrient. Mulch is a top cover that goes around plants to prevent the growth of weeds and protect the soil from temperature changes. Leaves used for mulch should not be fully decomposed; instead, they should be shredded and kept in their own bin until you are ready to use them.

Composting takes a little more work, and involves putting leaves, yard trimmings and kitchen scraps into a compost bin where aeration and moisture are controlled to facilitate the decomposition process. The materials need to be periodically mixed, turned over and watered to encourage this process, which eventually produces a rich soil amendment.

In addition to composting and mulching, grasscycling is a process that not only saves time and money, but also protects our environment and reduces the time and effort usually put into lawn care. Grasscycling simply means leaving the grass clippings in place on your lawn after you mow. The clippings quickly decompose, providing proper nutrition to fertilize the soil. This process naturally eliminates the waste otherwise created from mowing the lawn.

The following are acceptable materials for greenwaste recycling:

  • Grass/lawn clippings
  • Weeds
  • Green plants
  • Small tree branches and shrubs
  • Small wood chips
  • Dead plants
  • Garden trimmings
  • Leaves


Remember: plastic bags, pet waste, palm fronds, soil/dirt, rocks and treated wood cannot be placed in your greenwaste container.

"We can all make our community even more beautiful by helping nature through the recycling process through participating in the curbside greenwaste program, composting, mulching and grasscycling," said Smith. "It's also important that as we care for our gardens and yards we are careful to make sure that as we water or fertilize, these materials, pet waste and litter are kept out of our storm drains, which discharge into many natural waterways and oceans.

Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a “green power” program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.
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