Disposing of grass clippings the wrong way can add up to big pollution problems. Really! Also, placing yard waste near storm drains or directly into local lakes, streams, wetlands, and bays is illegal. This practice can:
- Block storm drains and cause flooding.
- Lead to harmful algae blooms from excessive growth of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Smother spawning beds of fish and destroy habitat for other aquatic life.
- Suppress native aquatic plants that support a healthy ecosystem.
- Cause depletion of oxygen and provide an opportunity for non-native plants to grow in their place such as Eurasion Watermilfoil and Brazilian Elodea.
- Lead to sickness in animals and humans if the clippings or yard waste is treated with fertilizers or pesticides.
Rather than dumping grass clippings there are many benefits of turning them into compost, which reduces waste. It also:
- Builds healthy soil for plants and gardens.
- Saves time and money by reducing the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides.
- Builds rich soil that absorbs run-off and breaks down urban pollutants such as oil, grease, metals, fertilizers and pesticides that harm fish in urban streams or Puget Sound.
- Improves landscape appearance.
- Place in curbside yard waste container provided by your waste hauler.
- Drop off at a yard debris collection site. Contact your local public works or solid waste department for details.
- Mow grass without a lawnmower bag and leave clippings to naturally decompose. Doing so will not produce thatch.