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Ann Arbor collects approximately 12,000 tons of leaves, grass clippings, Christmas trees and other yard debris annually, grinding it into wood mulch or processing it into compost. Screened compost and shredded wood mulch are used by the City or sold to businesses and residents for gardening, landscaping, and houseplants. Ann Arbor has been collecting and composting yard waste since 1989 and street leaves since 1970.
Source: Ann Arbor Solid Waste, Systems Planning |
What is composting?
The recycling and decomposition of plant materials is called composting. Nature's recycling system is simple. Leaves and grasses that fall to the ground provide a home and food supply for nature's recyclers — bacteria, worms and insects. These organisms feed on the materials, turning it into composted organic material. Through decomposition, nutrients essential to plant growth are released into the soil and are absorbed through the roots. When you remove yard waste from the landscape where it was produced, you deprive plants of their own natural fertilizing source.
How does composting affect our environment?
Compost use can result in a variety of environmental benefits. Composting organic materials that have been diverted from landfills ultimately avoids the production of methane and leachate formulation in the landfills. Using compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides in landscape operations. Compost has the ability to prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water resources. Compost has also been shown to prevent erosion and silting on embankments parallel to creeks, lakes, and rivers, and prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields, and golf courses. Further, compost can enrich poor soils, clean contaminated soils.
Source: U.S. EPA
What can compost be used for?
Once yard wastes have fully decomposed, the compost appears as a rich, dark, crumbly material, also called humus. Compost contributes to good soil structure, which allows soil to retain nutrients, moisture and oxygen for long periods of time. Compost helps lighten heavy clay soils and helps retain moisture in sandy environments.
Several inches of humus may be added to flower and vegetable gardens in the spring or fall. Similar to peat moss, humus may be used when starting seedlings and planting trees and shrubs. Screened humus may be used as a top dressing for lawns. Spread up to one inch of compost over the lawn in spring and rake in gently. Mulching around plantings with humus helps prevent the soil from drying out, provides nutrients, prevents erosion and helps modify soil temperatures.
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