Leaves- they are starting to change color and fall from the trees above. But, this autumn instead of raking those leaves and putting them at your curb, the Town of Greenwich wants you to recycle them.
“Leaves are treasures and natural resources that are full of nutrients and minerals. We keep throwing them away and ignoring them, and like any other thing- glass and paper- they can be recycled,” said Aleksandra Moch of the Town’s Conservation Commission.
The pilot program Leaves: Nature’s Treasures was developed by the Town’s Conservation Commission over the summer. The goal is to decrease the amount of leaves found on Greenwich’s streets.
“Every year, we spend $325,000 to pick them up. It’s not only the cost, but they are blocking the storm drains, they create slippery conditions,” said Moch.
Officials say the easiest way to recycle leaves is to mow them right into your lawn.
“Instead of putting a bag on your mower, you simply can just take the bag off and keep spreading them into the lawn. So, you are mowing the lawn, shredding the leaves, and incorporating the leave sinter he soil,” said Moch.
And if you’re up for the challenge, leaves can also be composted.
“You can put them in some sort of container or bin, or in a pile. Just keep them there to slowly decompose, and then you can use them as a mulch,” said Moch.
This program will be taught in the schools as well. Second graders at Riverside School will be composting leaves with worms, and seventh graders at Eastern will be learning about what happens during decomposition.
“The goal is that once students are educated, they are not only going to bring it home, but they will grow as responsible property owners and later on we will have less work,” said Moch.
Officials say they hope to bring this program to every Greenwich School, both public and private. For more information on this initiative, please click here.
