Consider Recycling Your Leaves, Grass Clippings into Compost & Mulch
Make an Impact & Create Your Own Organic Mulch
The global climate is changing faster than predicted, making incorporating sustainable living practices (like make your own mulch) all the more important. Now more than ever, it is important that we pay closer attention to recycling and reduce our waste as much as possible.
While many people have focused on switching to electric cars and solar energy, there are always more steps that you can take. Think of something a little closer to home. Think of your yard. You can recycle your yard and ensure that nothing harms the quality of life for you and your family. Basically, all you have to do is not throw yard waste into the bin.
Neglecting Your Yard
When your yard breaks down in an environment without oxygen, it produces methane emissions. Methane is a gas that is almost 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide as far as the environment is concerned. It is also an extremely flammable gas, and an open flame is enough to start a fire, which can be very dangerous.
You might not think too much about it, but the organic waste in your yards is a killer, contributes to global warming, and accelerates climate change. This then brings about acid rain and destroys animal habitats. Environmental scientists encourage people to dispose of their waste and recycle what they can. However, many people may not know how (and if) they can recycle their yards. Here are some ways to recycle your yard and help protect the environment.
How to Make Your Own Mulch
There are plenty of ways to recycle your yard and reduce your carbon footprint. Follow these suggestions to stay safe and keep your yard looking fresh.
How to Make Mulch Without a Chipper – Composting
Instead of leaving your yard waste out in the open to decompose, try composting. It would be best if you created a compost pile for that to help you. A compost pile is made up of organic materials layered on each other. Ensure that the pile is 3 to 4 feet high and just as wide to allow adequate heat in. Next, put your organic waste inside. This could include dried grass, vegetable scraps, black and white newspaper, and vegetarian animal waste, among other things.
The compost pile would allow the soil to absorb the nutrients again and help you recycle whatever was wasted. Then, you can use it as an organic fertilizer.
Recycle into Mulch
Mulch is an excellent source of nutrients for plants and grass. It is rich in minerals and is effective at helping trees grow at a steady pace. Mulch is also made from wasted organic matter, such as tree bark, when it is utilized and recycled. If you’re recycling your yard, turning the products into mulch is a great idea.
Once you have prepared your mulch, spread it where you want new plants to grow, saving you on costs for new fertilizers. This also helps to reduce the effects of climate change. It is a much safer bet than landfills and bins, which eventually contribute to climate change.
Do Away with Bagging
In many areas of the world, bagging and burning are common ways to eliminate waste. This is quite destructive. Not only is it a fire safety hazard, but carbon emissions from it also contribute to climate change and are a nuisance for the health of animals and humans.
Take the Next Step
We hope you have learned a few things about recycling your yard and hope you’re disposing of your waste properly. Climate change is real, and our responsibility is to reduce its effects. Even a small role can have a vast impact, and tending to your yard can greatly help.
Composting Systems
I prefer to have an open system for mulch, but if you’re interested in a closed system, or if you have some food waste you want to add consider a closed system. Amazon has some great systems, depending on size and volume that you need. There are dual systems, or 2 separate compartments that allow for curating of 1 batch, while adding current refuse to the other side. The systems are all designed to be tumbled a few times every few days. They all have doors to keep all the curating goodness to itself on the inside. They have their own aeration systems built in as well.
We have compiled the top 5 composting systems available on Amazon. The most popular, and highly rated is the IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter (Black). As one of the cheaper systems, it’s simple and holds 37 gallons. Dual systems are slightly higher in cost.
| Product | Capacity | Price | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM4000 Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter (Black) | Single tumbler | 37 gallons | $80.54 | 4.5/5 (15,785) |
| Dual Chamber Compost Tumbler – Easy-Turn, Fast-Working System – All-Season, Heavy-Duty, High Volume Composter with 2 Sliding Doors – (2 – 18.5gallon /70 Liter) | 2 door, dual system | 2×18.5 gallons | $109.99 | 4.3/5 (3,416) |
| VIVOSUN Outdoor Tumbling Composter Dual Rotating Batch Compost Bin, 43 Gallon Orange Door | 2 door, 2 system | 43 gallons | $109.99 | 4.4/5 (6,218) |
| Miracle-Gro Small Composter – Compact Single Chamber Outdoor Garden Compost Bin Heavy Duty – UV Protected Turning Barrel Tumbling Composter (27.7 gallons) | Single tumbler | 27 gallons | $79.80 | 4.3/5 (3,133) |
| Garden Compost Bin from BPA Free Material, Dual Rotating Outdoor Composting Tumblers (43 Gallon,Green) | 2 door, dual system | 43 gallons | $94.99 | 4.5/5 (2,918) |
Additional Tools
Tools to help include:
Learn more about the benefits of composting and adding food waste to your mulch.
