YARD WASTE / LENNY
What is yard waste?
Yard waste is organic material from our yards: grass clippings, leaves, shrub trimmings,
and tree limbs.
Why separate yard waste from the garbage?
Yard waste is the single largest waste component that comes from our homes. Yard waste is
not garbage, yet it makes up about 18% of the waste, taking up valuable landfill space and
costing Lexington residents millions in landfill fees. The good news is that yard waste can
be composted into a beneficial product that can be used to improve our lawns and gardens.
How will the collection program work?
The Division of Solid Waste will provide separate yard waste collection to all residents that
receive LFUCG garbage collection service. Yard waste will be picked up once a week on
your garbage day -- the same day that Rosie recycling containers are collected.
The containers are FREE! Select one of the following containers:
Sturdy 30-gallon paper yard waste bags
If you choose the bags, you will receive coupons in the mail to obtain the bags free at a
variety of local retail stores convenient to you.
If you choose to receive coupons for the yard waste bags, please
e-mail
your name, daytime phone number, and address including zip code.
A specially designed 95-gallon yard waste cart
If you choose the cart, you can receive bag coupons during the leaf season, if your cart cannot
accommodate the volume of waste.
If you choose to receive the yard waste cart, please
e-mail
your name, daytime phone number, and address including zip code.
Preparation Guidelines
- You may use your own personal plastic or metal cans.
- These cans must be marked "yard waste only".
- The cans should not exceed 30 gallons in capacity.
- They must have lids.
- Yard waste must be separated from all other garbage to prevent contamination
of the material.
- Yard waste cannot be accepted in plastic bags.
- Limbs cannot be longer than 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. If the limbs
are not placed in the Lenny yard waste cart, They must be tied and bundled with twine.
- Do not use tape, wire, or plastic ties.
Nip your Yard Waste in the Bud - Don't Bag It, Leave It
Leaving grass clippings on your lawn either by using a mulching lawnmower or taking the
clippings from the lawnmower bag and sprinkling them around trees and shrubs are ways to
recycle yard waste.
- A sharp mower blade will create finer clippings that will decompose quickly.
- Mow your grass when it is dry and 3" to 4" tall.
- Never cut grass too short. If you keep your grass at its optimum height, your grass will
have a deeper root system, which will help protect your lawn against drought and weeds.
- Most nitrogen fertilizer should be applied during the fall. Apply little or no fertilizer
during the spring and summer.
- Water your lawn only during summer droughts.
The " rule of thumb" for mowing home lawns is not to remove more than one-third of the leaf
blade at any one time. If you use the following mowing schedule, you will no longer need to
bag your grass clippings.
| Type of Grass |
Mower Blade Height |
Mow Grass Before It Reaches |
| Kentucky Bluegrass |
2-2 1/2" |
3-3 1/2" |
| Fine fescue |
2-2 1/2" |
3-3 1/2" |
| Perennial Ryegrass |
2-2 1/2" |
3-3 1/2" |
| Tall fescue |
2 1/2-3" |
3 1/2-4" |
| Zoysiagrass |
1" |
2" |
Some Lexington residents already do this - please keep it up!
Other Links
10 Steps to Lawn Care
Low-waste Ground Covers & Lawns
Composting
Some residents may also make a compost bin in their yard where they turn their yard waste
and kitchen scraps into a soil nutrient for their own lawns.
Other Helpful Links
Composting & Gardening
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