Yard
Waste Recycling
In
2002, the Authority initiated a pilot curbside collection program for
woody yard waste, and recycling opportunities for this material have been
increasing ever since. The initiative really took off in 2004 as municipal
curbside programs were implemented, making it easy for residents to recycle
not only leaves and garden residue, but also shrubbery and tree trimmings.
Currently, there are 39 curbside recycling programs that have some type
of yard waste and/or leaf curbside collection program, and there are several
drop-off locations throughout the County. In 2007, 28,600 tons of yard
waste was recycled.
Lancaster
residents are realizing the benefits of recycling their leaves and yard
waste; not only are these materials taken out of the waste stream, but
they are recycled into beneficial products such as compost or mulch that
can return nutrients to the soil or be used in residential landscaping
projects.
In
addition to providing assistance to municipalities in implementing yard
waste recycling programs, the Authority also provides a large wood shredder,
and an operator, to any municipality that has a large amount of yard waste
to process but doesn't have the means to do so. The material is fed through
the machine (see pictures below) and turned it into a coarse mulch product
that can be used by the municipality for their own landscape needs, given
it to their residents or sold to landscaping companies.
 
Definitions
of Yard Waste
Leaves
= Special collections
each fall
Yard
waste = Includes: leaves, grass clippings, garden residue
and sod
Woody
yard waste = Shrubbery and tree trimmings (maximum
branch diameter is 6")
Before
putting this material out for collection, please contact your municipal
office for specifics on your program. |
