GrassCycling

Today's Turf - Tommorrow's Earth

Do more by doing less

You can save time, energy and money by grasscycling. Leave grass clippings on your lawn, as you mow, to recycle naturally instead of raking, bagging and placing them at the curb. Grasscycling is a simple and effective way to help conserve landfill capacity that also benefits your lawn. Grassycling lowers recycling processing costs at the composting facility. Healthy turf grasses are important because they cool and clean our environment, protect soil and groundwater and absorb noise and carbon dioxide.

Grasscycling is a responsible environmental practice

It provides an environmentally important opportunity for you to reduce curbside waste. Yard waste accounts for almost 12% of the County's solid waste landfilled; grassclippings make up more than half of that amount.

Why Grasscycle?

By leaving grass clippings on your lawn, you can save 25-35 minutes each time you mow. You can help us reduce trash collection time and you save money (no bags to purchase). Grasscycling returns nutrients to the soil and improves lawn quality. Lawn care professionals recommend grasscycling for a greener, healthier lawn. All mowers can grasscycle - simply remove your mower's collection bag. Many manufacturers have attachments or special designs that improve a mower's grasscycling performance.

What Grasscycling doesn't do

Clippings do not cause thatch, which is actually a thick buildup of roots due to over-fertilizing. Clippings won't damage your lawn when you mow regularly and at the proper height. Your lawn is actually improved by grasscycling. Grasscycling doesn't spread lawn diseases. Disease spores are present whether clippings are removed or returned.

For More Information, contact:

• Home and Garden Center
  University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service
  800-342-2507
  
  
• Howard County Master Gardeners
  University of Maryland, Cooperative Extension Service
  410-313-2707
  
  
• Howard County Department of Public Works
  Bureau of Environmental Services
  410-313-6444
  (TTY 313-2323)

Information was excerpted from:
A PROFESSIONAL CARES ABOUT GRASSCYCLING, 10 REASONS TO GRASSCYCLE and GRASSCYCLING SPECIAL REPORT provided by the Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA). Phone:(770) 977-5222