Recycling Leaves

Each year, yard waste accounts for more than a million tons of our state's solid waste.

What are alternatives to putting leaves out with trash?

Burning leaves is not a good idea. Open burning generates hydrocarbons (which contain cancer-causing compounds) and carbon monoxide. Recycle leaves either for mulch or as compost for improving soil is a good alternative.

Leaves make excellent mulch for outdoor plants and shrubs. Whole leaves may be used for mulch, but you can reduce their volume (to as much as one-tenth the size) by shredding or chopping them. Shredded leaves not only take up less space; they also make more uniform mulch. Mulch conserves water, suppresses weeds and moderates fluctuating soil temperatures that can disturb roots.

By fall, when the next batch of leaves is about to drop, the previous year's mulch will have decomposed almost completely.

Leaves also can be turned into compost. Compost is the natural decomposition of organic waste material under controlled conditions. Composting at home saves time and cost of disposing of and transporting leaves, and provides an environmentally sound way to manage leaves.

If you have a compost bin, fill it in the fall and keep any remaining leaves in a holding bin or in plastic bags stored near the bin. As leaves settle in the bin, add another bag or two of the remaining leaves. A cup of nitrogen fertilizer added to the pile will encourage microorganism reproduction and growth.

In the spring and summer, grass clippings can be mixed with the leaves to speed breakdown. By early fall, the leaves will have decomposed enough to till into garden soil to improve the soil for growing plantsnext spring.

If you don't have a bin, you can create a compost pile. A compost pile should be at least 4 feet wide and 3 or 4 feet high. The length can vary according to the amount of leaves used.