April 1-November 30

Grass/Leaves and Trash Do Not Mix

City of Lincoln Composting Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Yard Waste?

A: Yard waste is defined as grass and leaves only. This includes crab grass and pine needles. Yard waste must be free of any other waste, debris and contaminates because these items seriously affect the quality of Lincoln’s finished compost product. Other vegetative wastes may be mixed with yard waste and sent to the City’s composting site. This includes tree, bush and shrubbery trimmings which are less than 1 inch in diameter, and vegetative garden wastes and flower cuttings.

Q: Why is grass and leaves banned from landfill disposal?

A: The City of Lincoln prohibits grass and leaf disposal from April 1 through November 30 to save valuable landfill space, to create a recycled product which has a beneficial use and to comply with Nebraska State law. More than 14,000 tons of grass and leaves are diverted from the landfill each year.

Q: When is yard waste banned from landfill disposal?

A: Grass and leaves cannot be disposed of in the sanitary landfill from April 1 through November 30.

Q: Can I use plastic bags for grass clippings and leaves?

A: No. Yard waste is taken to the City’s composting facility. Since plastic bags do not decompose, only biodegradable paper bags are accepted at this facility. There is considerable expense to remove yard waste from plastic bags. Some haulers do this as a service for their customers. Some may charge an additional fee for this service. Other haulers may leave grass clippings and leaves at the curb if they are in plastic bags. Paper lawn bags are available from local retailers.

Q: What kind of container should I use for yard waste?

A: Use paper lawn bags. Many local stores will stock biodegradable, paper lawn bags. Or you could use a 32 gallon refuse container with a tight fitting lid. Do not use refuse containers larger than 32 gallon unless provided by your refuse hauler. If you have your waste hauler pick up your yard waste, they may provide a 90-gallon, two wheel cart for you which may cost less than purchasing paper lawn bags.

Q: Can I still use plastic bags for my regular trash?

A: Yes. City ordinance requires that plastic bags holding trash be placed in waste containers with tight fitting lids.

Q: What do I do with tree trimmings, brush and garden waste?

A: If you subscribe to the yard waste collection, the tree trimmings and brush, less than one inch in diameter, as well as the garden waste can be placed with the grass and leaves to be collected by your waste hauler. If you do not subscribe to the separate grass and leaf collection, this material can be placed with your regular household trash. All tree trimmings and brush larger than one inch in diameter should be placed with your household trash.

Q. Is information available on how to compost grass and leaves in your backyard?

A. The Cooperative Extension Service provides a backyard composting workshop at the University Place Park ( 50th & Colby Street) on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m.. Other workshops are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in April and September at Community Recreation Centers. Participants in the workshops will receive a free backyard composting bin. Contact 441-8215 for more information.

Q: What options do I have to dispose of my grass and leaves?

A: There are 4 options available to residents.

1. Ask your hauler for the special grass and leaf collection.

Waste haulers must make separate pickups of grass and leaves and
regular trash. Make sure your hauler knows the type of service you want. The City conducts random load inspections at the landfills and will assess a fine of $50 if grass and leaves are mixed with waste. The haulers may pass this fine on to individuals households that mix grass and leaves with household trash.

It is also important that the grass and leaves collected by the waste hauler be free of contaminants such as pop cans, litter, garden hoses, rocks, etc.

2. Try composting or mulching on your own property.

Leave grass clippings on the lawn, or use them as mulch around plantings. Mulching mowers can be used to recycle grass clippings in the lawn.

Another alternative to bagging grass and leaves is to create a compost pile. The Cooperative Extension Service and Recycling Office sponsor backyard composting workshops at an outdoor demonstration area at University Place Park, 50th and Colby Streets. Participants receive a free backyard composting bin. Call 441-7180 for the date and time for compost workshops.

3. Haul grass and leaves yourself.

People can take grass and leaves to the 48th Street Transfer Station (5101 North 48th Street) for a fee. Commercial waste haulers and lawn maintenance companies must use the Bluff Road Composting Facility. Call 441-7738 for operating hours and fees. Grass and leaves must be removed from plastic bags.

4. Hire a lawn maintenance company.

Lawn maintenance companies will collect grass and leaves for their customers and haul them to the Bluff Road Composting Facility for a fee. No debris or litter is allowed in the material collected by these businesses.

Q: How can I get finished compost or wood chips?

A: Each spring screened compost is available for households at the North 48th Street Transfer Station (5101 North 48th Street) at no charge, on a first come first served basis. Bulk quantities of compost is also available at a number of local retailers. Large quantity users, interested in 10 cubic yards or more of compost, can obtain the compost directly from the City’s compost facility (6101 Bluff Road). LinGro compost sells for $6.00 per cubic yard. Wood chips are also available at the 48th Street Transfer Station at a cost of $5.00 per cubic yard. Wood chips are also available at no cost at Oak Lake Park, First and Cornhusker Highway. Individuals need to self-load the wood chip material.

Q: Can the City deliver compost and wood chips?

A: Yes. There must be a minimum order of 10 cubic yards. A delivery fee is assessed.

For more information contact the City of Lincoln, Public Works and Utilities, Solid Waste Operations, Recycling Office at 441-8215