Last Updated: 10/13/04

A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM OF THE

PASSAIC COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS

AND

PASSAIC COUNTY OFFICE OF RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE PROGRAMS

Yard waste materials (grass clippings, brush and leaves) are a major part of Passaic County, New Jersey's municipal solid waste stream. In fact, they account for nearly 18% of our waste stream. Almost a third of all summertime waste may be grass cuttings.

As a business, you are probably helping to reduce the amount of waste disposed of by recycling materials such as newspaper, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. Dealing with grass clippings and leaves on your own property is even better than recycling . . . it's source reduction.

One way to cut down on the grass clippings generated at your facility is to leave them on your lawn areas when you mow. Another way, if you use a professional service or have trained staff, is to ask about grass growth regulators. The best of these products quickly breaks down to CO2 and water and safely reduces grass growth by more than 50%.

		Grass clippings provide natural fertilizer for a growing lawn.
		By mowing an inch or less of clippings at one time, your will only add four or five mowings over the growing season. . .and a high quality growth regulator eliminates these extra mowings completely.
		Consider purchasing a mulching mower or mulching mower attachment if you own your equipment.
		Grass clippings do NOT cause thatch. This problem is caused by the accumulation of dead roots and stems.

		Over watering causes unnecessary lawn growth. You can safely water lawn areas sparingly, since grass will always come back to life after a draught.
		Avoid fertilizing in the early Spring - switching to late Summer and late Fall will help to cut down on excessive Spring growth while promoting strong roots.
		Mulch heavy clippings in your garden - collect grass clippings to use as protective mulch in flower and vegetable beds.

CUT IT AND LEAVE IT . . . TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY !