Source Reduction Practices

CalRecycle lays out several onsite management techniques to reduce the amount of yard waste generated. These practices should be adopted by all public agencies and strongly encouraged at all residences, businesses, and institutions.

• Controlled irrigation: Water just enough to maintain plant health and appearance.
• Precise fertilization usage: Only apply precise amounts of necessary plant nutrients.
• Grasscycling: The natural practice of leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing.
• Selective pruning: Use techniques that result in less green waste and healthier plants.
• On-site composting and mulching/backyard composting: Use site-generated trimmings as feedstock.
• Proper organic materials application: Buy and apply local soil amendments and mulch processed from local yard waste programs.
• Environmentally beneficial design: Install low maintenance, drought tolerant plants and waste-efficient landscape design features to reduce yard trimmings.

Many, many communities promote grasscycling and backyard composting to residents through education campaigns, and these programs are essential in all areas with and without organics collection. On top of providing educational outreach, other effective strategies include rebates on mulching lawn mowers and compost bin sales and classes.

While nearly all these programs are voluntary and education based, some communities are laying down the law on source reduction. The Town of Markham in Ontario, Canada collects green waste from residents at the curb but bans grass from both the trash and the green waste collection. Residents must leave grass clippings either on their lawn or manage them through a backyard composter. There is also a ban on the use of non-essential pesticides on all public and private property. The town collects recycling and compostables every week, trash every other week, and yard waste (leaves and brush) seasonally in open top containers. The town boasts a diversion rate of 69%.