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LEAF COMPOSTING PROGRAM
Leaves are no longer allowed to be put out
as garbage according to law. State
Officials targeted leaf waste for reduction
in the State's Recycling Law Act 101. It
requires communities to collect leaf waste
for composting and prohibits landfills from
accepting leaf waste for disposal.
Composting leaves saves landfill space and
the leaves decompose into a product that
can be used for landscaping and gardens.
Compost can be used as a conditioner to
improve the texture and moisture retention
properties of soil. In addition, compost
adds valuable nutrients and micro nutrients
to soil to promote healthy plant growth.
Leaf waste composting is a sensible solid
waste management alternative.
THE COMPOST AREA IS LOCATED AT
THE STREET DEPARTMENT BUILDING
NEAR DEPOT STREET AND WILL BE
OPEN TO MOUNT PLEASANT
BOROUGH RESIDENTS ON TUESDAY
AND THURSDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO
1:00 P.M., UNDER THE SUPERVISION
OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT
WHAT IS COMPOSTING?
Composting is a method of solid waste management
where organic components such as leaves are
biologically decomposed under controlled conditions to
produce a useful end-product.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SUCCESSFUL COMPOSTING
OXYGEN: Aerobic organisms (those requiring
oxygen) compost most efficiently. By controlling
oxygen levels in a compost system, you can help speed
up the composting process.
MOISTURE: The moisture level in composting
materials should be about 50 percent. During
composting, materials should feel moist and emit a few
drops of water when squeezed with one hand.
TEMPERATURE: Temperatures in the center of
the composting piles should range from 90 degree F to
140 degree F as organic material begin to breakdown.
pH BALANCE: pH is a measure of acidity.
Finished compost should have a nearly neutral pH
value, in the six to eight pH range.If materials become
too acidic during composting, lime or other alkaline
products can be added.
FINISHED COMPOST
When active composting is complete, the material will
be moved to large curing piles. Therefore, finished
compost can be beneficially utilized by borough
residents and landscapers.
MT. PLEASANT STREET DEPARTMENT
HOURS: 6:00 AM TO 2:OO PM
(724) 547-1930
HOME YARD WASTE MANAGEMENT TIPS
GRASSCYCLING --EASY STEPS TO A LOW MAINTENANCE LAWN
Grass clippings make up a large percentage of the household waste produced each year. About 1,000 square feet of lawn in
Pennsy1vania can produce 200 to 500 pounds of clippings during the growing season.
A simple alternative to bagging grass clippings is "grasscycling". Simply leave clippings on your lawn where they break down in 7 to
14 days. The clippings act as top-dressing fertilizer and help keep you lawn green and healthy.
HINTS FOR PRACTICING "GRASSCYCLING" IN YOUR BACKYARD
* MOW OFTEN AND CUT LESS THAN 1/3 OF THE GRASSGROWTH WHEN MOWING.
* MOW WHEN CONDITIONS ARE DRY AND USE A SHARP MOWER BLADE.
* DON'T LET LARGE CLUMPS OF GRASS CLIPPINGS ACCUMULATE ON THE LAWN.
* AVOID OVERUSE OF HARSH CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS.
* WATER YOUR LAWN LESS FREQUENTLY, BUT FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME.
* MULCHING MOWERS THAT GRIND GRASS CLIPPINGS CAN BE USED, BUT ARE NOT NECESSARY.
Grass clippings also can be used as a surface mulch around vegetables or flowers to inhibit weed growth and retain soil moisture.
Remember to keep clippings at least 2 inches away from young plants to avoid "burning" the new growth. Put grass clippings in your
compost pile to add extra nutrients. To avoid odors, no more than one third of your composting pile should be made up of grass clippings.
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