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CHINO BASIN WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

GREENWASTES

Greenwastes are materials that are generated from the maintenance of our landscapes. These materials include grass clippings, leaves, tree and shrub trimmings, and weeds. Residential yards, parks, golf courses, industrial sites, schools, and street trees are all contributors to a tremendous volume of organic materials (approximately 15% of the total waste stream) that have been typically treated as a waste products and disposed of in landfills.

In 1989, California voters passed Assembly Bill 939 which mandated specific waste reduction goals. Compliance with AB939 requires all cities and counties to reduce the volume of municipal solid waste disposed in landfills by 25% in 1995 with a 50% reduction required by the year 2000. To achieve these reduction goals, many cities and counties have implemented greenwaste-recycling programs. The homeowner can also contribute to the reduction of greenwaste materials being disposed of by following a few simple procedures as follows:

§ COMPOST-Mix leaves, grass clippings, chipped branches, vegetable and fruit waste together, add water, turn the mix over once a week, and in two to three months a valuable soil amendment (humus) has been created for the garden.

§ MULCHING-Use chopped leaves and branches to cover bare soil. This will conserve moisture in the soil, reduce weed growth, create a favorable environment for beneficial earthworms, bacteria and fungi, and arthropods.

§ IRRIGATION-Choose the correct irrigation design and scheduling for your location, plant types, soil type, and time of the year. Many landscapes get over-watered resulting in water waste and excessive plant growth that requires additional maintenance.

§ PLANT SELECTION-Design your landscape using drought tolerant and native plant material (Xeriscaping). These types of plants require less water, maintenance, fertilizer, and pesticides. These types of plants do create beautiful landscapes of flowers and foliage and establish environments for hummingbirds, songbirds, and butterflies.

By treating greenwaste as a resource and not as a waste product, the homeowner can contribute to a more sustainable environment within the community. A significant decrease in waste material going to the landfill can be realized. Additionally, scarce water resources are conserved, soils are improved, and less pesticides and fertilizers are used, resulting in less pollution, and cost savings.