Recycling yard waste rather than putting it in the trash not only transforms twigs, leaves, grass clippings and palm fronds into valuable compost, saving precious landfill space, it also offers local homeowners and commercial business owners an opportunity to contribute to a climate solution from their own backyard, because composting reduces the amount of methane released into the atmosphere. Considered a greenhouse gas, methane is emitted during the decomposition of organic matter. It enters the atmosphere and eventually combines with oxygen to produce more carbon dioxide.

Composting, which involves the biodegradation of organic waste to humus, has the potential to lengthen the lifespan of a landfill by diverting approximately 25 percent of the waste stream. An estimated 15 percent of the total waste stream is yard waste. Recycling yard waste back into the soil is considered the most environmentally sound and economically viable management strategy.

An easy way to recycle yard waste, composting can be done onsite by an environmentally friendly landscaping business or a local composting yard waste collection program such as those offered by Lee and Collier counties.

Another method for processing yard waste is chipping brush into small fragments that biodegrade rapidly. Typically, a wood chipper reduces the brush and other yard debris to mulch that can be used in landscape applications. Mulching mowers also recycle plant and wood fiber into the soil.

“Homeowners and businesses that use organic landscaping services such as those provided by MPV Organic Lawn Care that not only treat landscapes with non-toxic fertilizers and mulches onsite are also helping to reduce the nutrient load of fertilizers and pesticides in runoff water during heavy rains. Additionally, their contribution to the climate solution reduces emissions because they are not buying mulch which has been transported from a long distance,” says Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Ph.D., regional director of Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive SWFL (GrowingClimateSolutions.org), network of local organizations, citizens and leaders located in Naples.

Manuel Valdez, owner of MPV Organic Lawn Care, located at 5416 Carlton St., in Naples, provides free, organic mulch with landscaping services. For more information, call 239-234-9299 or visit MPVLandg.com.