Grasscycling

Grasscycling refers to leaving grass clippings on the lawn when mowing. The term is a portmanteau word combining "grass" and "recycling", and had come into use by at least 1990cite web|url=http://www.wordspy.com/words/grasscycling.asp|title=Grasscycling definition/etymology|accessed=2007-05-25] as part of the push to reduce the huge quantities of clippings going into landfills, up to half of some cities' summertime waste flowcite web|url=http://www.denvergov.org/recoth/GrassCycle/tabid/425972/Default.aspx|title=Denver Recycle Grasscycle|accessed=2007-05-25] , as 1,000 square feet (93 m²) of lawn can produce 200 to 500 pounds (90 to 225 kg) of clippings a year.cite web|url=http://avenue.org/rswa/grasscycle.htm|title=Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Grasscycling Info|accessed=2007-05-25]

Because grass consists largely of water (80% or morecite web|url=http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/GrassCycling/FAQ.htm|title=Grasscycling FAQ|accessed=2007-05-25] ), contains little lignin, and has high nitrogen content, grass clippings easily break down and return to the soil within one to two weeks, acting primarily as a fertilizer supplement and, to a much smaller degree, a mulch. Grasscycling can provide 15 to 20% or more of a lawn's yearly nitrogen requirements.cite web|url=http://www.reelmowersetc.com/grasscycle!.htm|title=Grasscycle!|accessed=2007-05-25] cite web|url=http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/GrassCycling/default.htm|title=California Integrated Waste Management Board - What is grasscycling?|accessed=2007-05-25] Proponents also note that grasscycling reduces the use of plastic bags for collecting yard waste and reduces trips to the curb or landfill to haul waste.cite web|url=http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/rjcgrass.htm|title=King County Experience: Grasscycling|accessed=2007-05-25]

Optimal grasscycle techniques include:cite web|url=http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/grass/grasstips.html|title=Bay Delta Grass Recycling Campaign|accessed=2007-05-25]
* Cutting no more than 1/3 the length of the grass
* Cutting when the grass is dry to the touch
* Cutting when the height is between 3 and 4 inches (7 to 10 cm)
* Ensuring that the mower blade is sharp

Although a mulching mower can make grass clippings smaller, one is not necessary for grasscycling.

References

External links

* [http://www.wastediversion.org/grasscycling.htm What is grasscycling?]