Green Waste Benefits How to Reduce Green Waste Green waste is the waste that arises from There are a number of ways in which to landscaping or gardening work and generally reduce, reuse and recycle green waste. These e consists of leaves, twigs, small branches, can easily be implemented into landscaping bushes and grass. The waste is biodegradable and gardening practices. which means that it can be broken down by 1. A landscape design that requires little or natural processes. no maintenance can help to reduce waste There are many benefits to reusing and and water usage. recycling green waste: 2. Only purchase as much soil as you need Composting provides you with a valuable for the job in hand. This helps to prevent soil fertiliser; excess material from accumulating. It reduces disposal costs while also 3. When expecting deliveries of soil/sand and creating a valuable usable product; other such materials, ask the driver(s) to tip the material away from drains. This is to It is a natural method of processing avoid wastage from the material running off material which would otherwise be to storm water drains and sewers. landfilled. 4. Careful planning can also help to reduce Biodegradable waste can be defined as any green waste e.g. planning of what waste consisting of organic materials, which planting is to take place will help to reduce can be broken down by natural processes. the excess plants being leftover. This waste can be broken down naturally by bacteria, which feed on the organic material How to Reuse Green Waste i.e. material that was once living, and the end 1. Grass clippings and leaves can be used as product is compost. compost, a valuable soil conditioner. There are a number of materials that can be 2. After rain, wet leaves can be collected composted. They include the following: together and left to decay. This forms a Garden prunings; mulch which can be dug into the soil and help to fertilise it. Leaves; 3. “Grass cycling” is another option for Grass clippings; reuse. This involves leaving clippings Weeds; on the lawn when mowing. This quickly Plants and flowers; decomposes and returns valuable nutrients to the soil. Hedge trimmings. 4. Woody shrubs and cuttings can be passed Items that cannot be composted are as follows: through a shredder and made into wood Stones or gravel; chips, which can be used around trees and Concrete, dirt or rocks; flowerbeds. Animal waste; 5. Trees can be shredded and the wood shavings/chips can be used in Treated or painted wood; landscaping. Glass; How to Recycle Green Waste Metal; Green waste can be used as composting Soil. material, which is a good soil fertiliser. This can be collected by a contractor, who sends the waste to a centralised composting plant where it is processed for use. GREEN Wast