Fall Cleanup Dos and Don'ts
HAPPY FALL! Have you already started your outdoor fall cleanup, or are you making plans as the leaves start to to turn? Here are a few reminders to keep in mind!
(SPOILER ALERT: PUTTING YARD WASTE into your RECYCLING OR TRASH is a BIG NO!)
✅ If you live in an area where you can rake your leaves into the woods - do that! They will break down over the winter, returning important nutrients to the soil.
✅ Have a compost pile? Add dried leaves as your brown matter to keep your pile healthy and working hard to breakdown material.
✅ Mow leaves into your lawn for an added boost of nutrients (and leave the grass clippings as well!)
✅ Check to see if your town or city offers a yard waste collection program and schedule. You can find this information on your town or city website.
✅ DO NOT put grass clippings, leaves, sticks, or plants into your recycling or trash. Yard waste DOES NOT break down in landfills (due to a lack of oxygen and microorganisms) and ultimately takes up valuable landfill space.
This material is based upon work supported under a grant by the Rural Utilities Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Rural Utilities Service. Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc., is an equal opportunity provider and employer.