![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Frequent Questions about Yard Trimmings
How Can I Reduce Yard Trimmings?
There are several ways to reduce the volume and divert yard trimmings from landfills:
- Grasscycle: Leave mown grass clippings on the lawn to decompose and return nutrients back to the soil, rather than bagging and disposing of them.
- Create a backyard compost pile.
- Participate in local or regional programs that collect yard trimmings for large-scale composting.
Why Not Put Yard Trimmings in Landfills?
Since these materials are relatively clean and biodegradable, disposal in landfills may be unnecessary and wastes space. In addition, as yard trimmings decompose in landfills, they generate methane gas and acidic leachate. Methane is a colorless, explosive greenhouse gas that is released as bacteria decompose organic materials in landfills. If methane is not controlled at a landfill, it can seep underground and into nearby buildings, where it has the potential to explode. Yard trimmings also contribute acidity that can make other waste constituents more mobile and therefore more toxic.
Why Not Burn Leaves and Other Yard Trimmings?
Burning leaves and other yard trimmings pollutes the air and can lead to uncontrolled fires. Leaf smoke can make breathing difficult for people who suffer from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or allergies. A number of states currently ban leaf burning, and some communities either ban leaf burning or restrict when and where it can take place. For more information, visit EPA’s Backyard Burning website.
