Greenwich Adopts Leaf Composting Program

An educational program designed to encourage residents to compost and shred leaves was approved by the Greenwich Board of Selectmen Thursday.

The aim of the program is to reduce $325,000 needed for the annual fall leaf collection program, according to Greenwich Conservation Director Denise Savageau. The Conservation Commission has designed an educational program in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Board of Education to grow interest in leaf composting.

Savageau said the program is patterned after a similar effort in Westchester County called ‘Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em.’

Composting bins will be made available to residents with some located at Eastern Middle and Riverside Elementary schools where specific programs will be incorporated into student curriculums to teach students about the environment and the benefits of composting.

The commission also has enlisted the support of various garden clubs in town as well as the Greenwich Garden Education Center and Greenwich Clean and Green.

Savageau said the composting/shredding program will not replace the annual leaf collection but rather reduce the cost of collecting and shipping leaves out of town because Greenwich’s Holly Hill Transfer Station does not have the facilities to handle composting.

Photo credit: Dean Hochman via Flickr.com.