Grasscycling is a relatively low-cost strategy to reduce the disposal of organics. Residents and businesses are encouraged to leave the grass clippings on the lawn instead of bagging and disposing of them. Residents and businesses are also encouraged to grasscycle away from any and all public ways and storm drains. Grass clippings that enter the road, driveway, storm drains and sidewalks will be washed to a waterway; this is also a Stormwater violation in which you could be fined. EPA estimates that grass clippings account for 50% of all yard trimmings, so grasscycling could address the estimated 8.8 thousand tons of clippings generated in Tennessee.
The environmental benefits include:
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Reducing the amount of fertilizer needed (because nutrients from clippings are returned to the soil),
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Improving moisture-retention, and
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Decreasing soil temperatures in the summer months
REMEMBER THE ONLY SUBSTANCE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE STORM DRAIN IS CLEAN WATER, NEVER GRASS CLIPPINGS! PROTECTING YOUR STORM DRAIN, PROTECTS YOUR WATER.
