Do a Little... Save a Lot!

The average adult breathes about 20,000 times each day. Both children and the elderly face a greater risk of being affected by air pollution, as do people with heart, respiratory or other ailments. Air quality is not just a summertime issue and an unhealthy level of pollutants in the air is a winter problem, too.

Did you know that backyard burning generates air pollution, is a health hazard to people with asthma and other allergies, and is a fire hazard and a nuisance to neighbors? Using yard debris on-site saves municipal tax dollars for collection and processing while reusing natural materials to beautify one's yard.

Fall is an excellent time of year to start composting, or for those who already compost, to think about improvements. There are many ways to reduce, reuse and recycle grass clippings, leaves, brush and branches as an alternative to open burning. Effective yard debris management reduces waste and recycles organic materials. It also gives the air a break from the hazardous pollutants that open burning releases.

Seven Simple Alternatives to Open Burning This Fall

Mulching leaves in place

1. Mulching Leaves in Place. Leaves are rich in carbon, phosphorus, and potassium - all essential nutrients needed by plants, including turf grasses. Simply mow leaves along with the grass during fall, and let the small leaf pieces filter down among the grass blades.
2. Composting is a natural recycling process that can be done at home with lawn and garden waste. Microorganisms from the soil interact with compost materials to help break down plant matter. Proper moisture, air, and temperature aid these microorganisms in their work. Finished compost is used as an organic plant food and soil amendment.
3. Grasscycling is leaving grass clippings on the lawn to decompose. Grass clippings are mostly water. When you mow regularly, clippings quickly decompose and release nutrients to fertilize the lawn. Research shows that when grass clippings are left on the lawn, one-third less fertilizer is needed to achieve the same color and grass density found on lawns where the clippings are removed.
4. Mulching. Mulches help soil retain moisture, moderate temperature fluctuations, and reduce erosion and soil compaction. Yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, and chipped or shredded brush and branches can be used as organic mulches.


Vermicomposting

5. Vermicomposting. Red worms live in the upper layer of the forest floor. These worms can turn food waste into nutrient-rich humus for gardens and houseplants. Use a worm composting bin or vermicomposting bin to make a valuable soil amendment out of things like: old newspapers, vegetable food scraps, trimmings from house plants and other organic materials that would normally be thrown away.


6. Alternative landscaping. If you have a big yard and don't use it for activities, consider planting an area of prairie grasses, native shrubs, or trees. Using native plant species reduces the need for watering, mowing, and pesticide use.


Brush pile for wildlife

7. Make a brush pile for wildlife. In more natural settings, yard brush and branches can be reused to form a brush pile for wildlife. Brush piles provide shelter, nesting and den sites for chipmunks, woodchucks, weasels, skunks, red fox, numerous bird species, garter snakes, salamanders, and more.

We have the power to make better choices and change our yard care habits to help keep the air we all breathe clean and healthy.

Things Kids Can Do

Hey kids! There are lots of things YOU can do to keep air pollution levels down. To find out some ways you can help make the air cleaner for everyone: What can YOU do?

It All Adds Up...

• In your backyard
• In your home
• While you travel
• At work
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