Mayor Recommends Leaf Mulching to Diminish Solid Waste

Missed last night's Board of Trustees meeting? Scarsdale Patch is keeping you in the loop with the assistance of Mayor Miriam Levitt-Flisser, who provided us with a helpful round-up of last night's agenda:

Editor's Note: The following contents have been submitted by Levitt-Flisser.

During the year, a large percent of solid waste generated by Scarsdale come from grass clippings, tree leaves and other landscape wastes. Bagging these materials and placing them into the curbside garbage collection system uses valuable landfill space, removes nutrients from the environment, and costs cities and the people of Scarsdale more in increased taxes and services fees.

Shred leaves into small pieces using a mulching mower, shredder/chipper or a vacuum. Shred leaves directly into lawn. On driveways or patios, rake or blow into piles, then shred and apply on landscape beds 2”-3” thick (like any mulch). For landscape beds including ground covers, vacuum or carefully blow off the leaves, then shred and re-apply as mulch. Excess leaves can be used in a compost pile, serving as a “brown” layer in the compost recipe. In the summer, add grass clippings as well. 

The benefits of leaf mulching include: Increases water holding capacity of soil, improves absorption of rainwater runoff. Cools roots in the summer and provides additional temperature protection in the winter. Increases nutrients and oxygen in the soil. Provides free “fertilizer” for landscape plants, trees, vegetable gardens and lawns. Eliminates or reduces yard waste from entering municipal “waste streams” and saves taxpayer money.