A new season is in full swing, and for those who have it, yard waste collection season is, too. When it comes to yard waste, or green waste, as some call it, most of us just bag it, bin it, or bundle it up for curbside collection. But not every city offers yard waste collection services. And even if yours does, there are other ways to make use of those extra grass clippings, twigs, leaves, and plants.

Each year we produce 32.9 million tons of green waste. Though most is recycled through municipal composting programs, 11.7 million tons of it get incinerated. Or worse, deposited in landfills where it takes up valuable space. Thankfully, reducing yard waste is easy. And by doing so, your yard will be the envy of the town.

Grasscycling

Grasscycling is perhaps the easiest way to reduce your green waste output. Instead of tossing grass clippings out, simply leave them on your lawn when mowing. They only take a couple weeks to break down, and they're great as fertilizer. By weight, grass makes up 50% of the yard waste we produce. Grasscycling is an effective way to decrease that number. Plus, it'll make your lawn look better than ever.

Home composting

Home composting doesn't just apply to food waste, it's also perfect for grass clippings, shrub and plant trimmings, leaves, etc. To get the basics of household composting down pat, check out our post on the topic. Keep in mind, if you're looking at composting pine needles, they take longer than other materials to decompose. They'll also acidify your soil, so be sure to limit how much you include.

Mulching

For this, you might need a mulcher. If you don't have one, that's okay. They can be rented. Some lawnmowers also offer a mulching option for leaves and plant clippings. A thin coat of mulch is a healthy addition to any garden. It improves soil moisture, fertility, and limits the growth of weeds. It also adds aesthetic value. Leaves, grass clippings, and moss are all suitable. Items like branches, bark, and twigs can be woodchipped.

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that was developed for arid regions. That said, it can be implemented anywhere. With its emphasis on drought-resistant plants, it's a great way to conserve water resources. More than that, xeriscapes actually require less maintenance than a normal garden. That means less trimming and pruning, which also means less yard waste.

Though yard waste is organic, it's still waste. With these four tips, you can make your green waste greener and reap the benefits of a healthier yard.