Grass Clippings, the Challenge and Solutions: What you do with clippings determines whether they're waste or a resource

摘要

Nearly 80 percent of Americans live in municipalities with a population exceeding 20,000. This steady growth in urban population has exacerbated yard waste problems for many communities. Central to the issue is the enormous problem of grass clippingsand their disposal. As increased handling costs affect local tax rates, city planners and government officials are establishing ordinances to limit their exposure to yard waste. Most cities across the country, and half the states, have passed statutes forbidding the dumping of clippings into public landfills. According to Chaz Miller, programs director, National Solid Wastes Management Association, "By weight, grass is the biggest component of yard waste, averaging half of all yard waste." Composting yard waste at a commercial composting facility has emerged as the primary alternative. However, a few communities continue to allow commercial clippings at municipal sites.