Mon – Fri: 8:30 – 4:00
Closed from 12–1pm
(609) 883-2900
2 Jake Garzio Drive
Ewing, NJ 08628
Ewing, NJ 08628
Grasscycling - Cut It and Leave It
What is Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing. Grass clippings decompose quickly, returning valuable nutrients back into the soil.
Did you know that grass clippings are considered solid waste and are a major part of New Jersey’s municipal solid waste stream? That means you should grasscycle them or (as a last resort) they can go in your trash can for garbage collection. They are labeled solid waste because they compost differently than other organic waste. They become anaerobic very quickly because of their high demand for oxygen. After becoming anaerobic, they emit strongly unpleasant odors. Therefore, grass clippings (in quantity) are difficult to handle and to process. Composting (at scale) is not feasible because it requires specialized equipment and sites, separate permits from the DEP, and as it breaks down, any residue of pesticide and herbicides go almost directly into the storm sewers. For these reasons no other Mercer County community provides grass clipping pickup other than as trash.
The EPA reports that grass clippings are a significant part of yard trimmings - approximately 50%. Yard trimmings made up about 35.4 million tons of US municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2018, accounting for 12.1% of the total MSW generated, a significant amount of which still ends up in landfills. The EPA further estimates that during the peak months in spring, summer, and fall, yard trimmings can account for as much as 25 – 50% of municipal waste, making it one of the costliest items for the Township to dispose of. [1][2]
Ewing Township encourages every resident to use alternative disposal methods for grass clippings. These include the use of mulching mowers and home composting. In most cases, lawn contractors will remove the clippings if requested. Alternatively, residents may put grass clippings in bags for collection on their regular garbage day. Please use this method of disposal only as a last resort. If you must put grass clippings at the curb for collection, place the grass clippings in plastic bags in your garbage can. Your cooperation in packaging your clippings in smaller bags will make collection proceed more efficiently and safely. Bags of grass left in the street can block heavy summer rains from reaching the storm drains and cause localized flooding of streets.
As a Ewing resident, you are already helping to avoid air pollution and wasted resources by recycling. You can do more by reducing waste at the source. Leave the grass clippings on your lawn when you mow, and let nature do the recycling.
[1] https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/10000KZT.PDF?Dockey=10000KZT.PDF
[2] https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/yard-trimmings-material-specific-data
Introducing
HEALTHY YARDS
Your yard can be a part of the solution to capture and store greenhouse gas emissions as well as rainwater, and create wildlife habitats and connections that are critical for sustaining wildlife.
Learn More from the EGTWhy Grasscycle?
To Enjoy a Healthier Lawn!
You'll fertilize your yard for free as you cut it! Grass clippings add beneficial organic matter to the soil, which helps make lawns greener and healthier. Healthy lawns crowd out weeds.
To Save Money!
Grass clippings act as a natural fertilizer and reduce fertilizer requirements by up to 50%.
Green waste collection programs are costly. Grasscycling helps keep garbage collection rates and your taxes down. You’ll also avoid purchasing yard waste bags.
To Save Time!
Grasscycling saves time and the hassle of bagging, raking, and disposing grass clippings.
To Help the Environment!
Helping the environment can begin at home. Grasscycling allows you to make a personal contribution by:
- Reducing yard waste.
- Reducing the need for chemical fertilizers that cause toxic runoff that enters storm drains and pollutes creeks and rivers.
- Feeding your yard in a natural way that works with nature and all the little critters that live in your landscape.
- Reducing the amount of synthetic fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides on your property makes your yard a healthier place for your kids and pets to play.
Grasscycling Begins with Proper Mowing
- Mow your lawn when the grass is dry.
- Keep mower blades sharp.
- Follow the “1/3 rule”—mow often enough so that no more than 1/3 the length of the grass blade is cut in any one mowing. This will result in an attractive, neatly trimmed lawn, and clippings will disappear when they filter down to the soil.
- Most Ewing lawns should be mowed 2.5-3.5” high, (like the rough besides a golf course fairway), especially in the summer, to shade the soil, cool the roots, and block weed growth.
- Mulching mowers help by cutting the clippings into fine pieces that slip easily down to the soil. Most new mowers are mulching mowers, and you can attach mulching equipment to your existing mower.
The Right Amount of H20
Controlling watering rates will help your lawn grow at manageable levels and stay healthy.
When
- Don’t water until the lawn is dry. If it turns blue-green or gray, or if footprints don’t spring back, it’s time to water.
- Water in the early morning to prevent evaporation and conserve water.
How Much?
- Provide about an inch at a time for clay soil, and half an inch for sandy soil. Place a few cans around the lawn and note how long it takes for that much water to collect.
- Water deeply and infrequently to produce a deeper, more extensive root system.
- Lawns watered too frequently develop shallow root systems that make them more susceptible to stress and disease.
What to do with Excessive Growth
If you miss a week, or heavy rain causes fast growth, you have some choices:
Double Mow
Set the mower higher than usual and cut no more than the top third of the grass. In a day or two, set the mower height down and bring the lawn down another 1/3 of its height. Continue this process until you reach the desired height.
Use as Garden Mulch
Bag or rake the clippings and apply them to your garden as mulch. Spread them an inch deep, to cool the soil, retain water, prevent erosion and compactions, and smother weed seeds.
Mix Them into the Soil
New Jersey soils can be improved by adding organic matter. Added organic materials make heavy clay soils become more productive, and sandy soils retain more water.
Compost
Grass speeds up your composting, but can cause odors and deplete oxygen if not properly managed. If you compost large amounts of grass, turn the pile often with a pitchfork.
Grasscycling with proper fertilizing and watering are the ingredients for a healthy lawn. Remember that grasscycling provides half of the nitrogen needed by a lawn, so you will not need as much fertilizer. Over fertilizing weakens your lawn and causes excess growth. Sunny lawns only require three applications of fertilizer per year in May, September and November. For shaded lawns, two applications of fertilizer will be enough. Remember, fertilizing in the fall and or winter is best for your lawn.
When water your lawn, water effectively – not often. Over watering will cause your lawn to grow faster, so control your watering times. Water during the early morning or evening when less evaporation occurs. Always wet soil to a depth of four to six inches down. This is perfect for building healthy roots and green growth.
When water your lawn, water effectively – not often. Over watering will cause your lawn to grow faster, so control your watering times. Water during the early morning or evening when less evaporation occurs. Always wet soil to a depth of four to six inches down. This is perfect for building healthy roots and green growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions about grasscycling. Should you require further assistance please call the Public Works Department at 609-882-3382 or submit a question using our Feedback form.
No! Follow the 1/3 rule. Mow often enough so that not more than 1/3 of the length of the grass is cut. The short clippings decompose quickly and will not cover the grass surface.