What to do with yard waste this fall

Contributed by Reston Environment Advisory Committee

Photo contributed by Doug Britt

October, at last! That refreshing chill in the air, the ubiquitous aroma of pumpkin spice, foliage in glorious shades of red, orange, and gold … but what to do about all those fallen leaves?

Yard waste isn’t a problem exclusive to autumn. Gusty spring winds down limbs that litter yards. Summer brings bags of grass clippings and weeds. And announcing winter’s arrival: avalanches of discarded Christmas trees. What’s the most ecologically sound way to dispose of natural waste?

While decomposition of natural debris is a critical process that sustains healthy ecosystems, excess debris can upset an ecosystem’s fragile equilibrium. In natural areas, excess yard debris can overwhelm native decomposers, create imbalances in soil chemistry, suffocate seedlings, and even damage mature trees. In streams, excess yard debris can deplete oxygen levels and trigger flooding. For these reasons, a variety of Fairfax County and Virginia ordinances prohibit the dumping of yard waste in natural areas, storm sewers, or drains.

Fortunately, options exist for disposing of waste in ways that won’t harm Reston’s natural areas – or risk violating legal mandates.

Drop off your woody debris at one of RA’s monthly brush chipping locations. See the RA Activities Guide at www.reston.org/ for dates and locations.

Drop off your yard debris at the I-66 Fairfax County Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax). Schedule a curbside pickup of yard debris with your private trash hauling service. (Some companies designate specific days for Christmas tree disposal.)

But can’t yard waste be a force for good? Don’t those branches, leaves, grass clippings, and weeds contain nutrients that can be transformed into rich topsoil? Indeed they do! Rather than dispose of your yard waste, consider transforming it into a valuable environmental resource.

• Grasscycling/leafcycling. Use a mulching mower to chop grass or leaves into small pieces, then leave those clippings on your lawn where they will help retain moisture, return nutrients to the soil, and reduce methane emissions from landfills. Additionally, all those insects that rely on the protection of leaf litter to survive the cold winter months will thank you!

• Composting. Collect yard waste in composting bins - the forces of nature will gradually transform the debris into nutrient-rich topsoil. For information on composting best practices, visit www.mastercomposter.com/ To reference RA’s composting guidelines, visit www.reston.org/

Together we can protect Reston’s natural areas, promote sustainability … and still enjoy guilt-free autumn afternoons of leaf-pile jumping!