As an avid gardener, you worry about disposing of the resultant waste in an environmentally friendly way. An efficient garden waste collection service should be able to handle various types of litter. They include grass cuttings, weeds, leaves, fruits, vegetables, prunings, discarded pots, seeds, unwanted compost, flowers, and garden ornaments. According to the EPA, they make up more than 25% of the waste that homesteads discard.
How to Manage Your Garden Waste
A dependable waste collection service utilizes various supplies. Examples are gloves, dustbins, lawnmowers, garden rakes, spades, leaf blowers, pruning shears, and dustpans. Once sufficiently equipped, implement these tips to dispose of your garden waste properly:
1. Separate the Refuse
It’s advisable to separate your waste depending on its level of biodegradability. This process makes it easier to reuse and recycle. It’s not a good idea to mix your garden waste with food remains and other forms of general refuse. Set aside a dedicated bin for moss, weeds, barks, prunings, leaves, hedge cuttings, cut flowers, and fallen fruit.
Remember, not all garden waste can decompose. That means implementing unique disposal solutions for charcoal, bones, cooked food, pet waste, toxic materials, and dairy products.
2. Make Compost
Composting pick-up service is one of the most beneficial garden waste management solutions. Start by deciding on a storage method. We recommend using compost bins over an open pile because they’re cleaner. They also preserve the heat while preventing pets from interfering.
Once you have enough waste, store it in a flat and sunny location with good drainage. A section with bare soil and easy access are preferable, although you can also lay some paper on a concrete slab. The insects and microorganisms present in soil hasten rotting and the overall composting process.
Layering the materials produces the best results. For example, start with twigs to allow aeration and drainage, followed by leaves. It’s also advisable to have a 50-50 mix of brown and green materials to increase decay.
Composting is a slow process that takes up to a year, so add the waste gradually while maintaining the layers. Maintain moisture levels by adding suitable amounts of water or solid waste. Once ready, the compost will be crumbly and dark, with an earthy aroma.
3. Reuse and Recycle Where Necessary
You don’t have to throw waste items that you can repurpose with DIY ideas. For example, use fallen branches to support climbing plants and bark as edging on raised non-wood beds. Plastic food containers are excellent for holding sprouting seeds.
Old coconut shells and grapefruit skins can help you attract and dispose of slugs. Plastic pipes are crucial for creating tunnels around the garden. Untreated or unpainted wood can have a variety of uses, including compost bins. If you don’t have the creativity to craft such items, you can always donate the materials to someone who does. Your garden waste collection service can also provide better ideas.
4. Take the Waste to a Suitable Recycling Center
Your local recycling center should have a dedicated section for garden waste. Carrying the degradable materials in a disposable bag to such landfills might be an affordable option. Some organizations accept garden waste as donations, so long as it adheres to particular requirements.
Another option involves paying for a garden waste collection service. These convenient third-party services take the burden off your shoulder fast and efficiently. All you have to do is set the refuse aside and schedule a suitable picking time.
5. Take Better Care Of Your Lawn
Since lawns account for significant sections of gardens, they’re also responsible for most of the waste. Using an efficient lawn mower reduces the amount of litter you have to discard. A machine with high-quality mulching blades ensures healthy regrowth.
You might also benefit from grasscycling. This process uses grass clippings as organic fertilizer and a source of affordable nutrition for your plants. You can also create a worm bin, which uses the wriggly creatures to decompose grass cuttings and other green waste.
6. Use an Incinerator
Although incineration should be a last resort for disposing of garden waste, sometimes it’s the only viable option. Before undertaking it, ensure you comply with community regulations. It’s an effective disposal method so long as it doesn’t disturb your neighbors.
Burning is only advisable for dry waste. Incineration is preferable for hedge trimmings, twigs, leaves, weeds, and lawn cuttings. They’re better than bonfires because they burn waste at high temperatures, which produces minimal smoke.
Conclusion
You can implement any of the above tips that guarantee the best results. Other than being beneficial to the environment, recycling and reusing also save money.
Did you find this article helpful? Please comment on the disposal and recycling methods you prefer for managing garden waste.
