CURBSIDE GREEN WASTE RECYCLING
For more information regarding Residential Green Waste Services, please contact Valley Vista Services at (800) 442-6454.
What is "Green Waste"?
Green Waste is any organic material that comes from a resident's property. It can be lawn clippings, garden plants and weeds, hedge and tree trimmings, branches, leaves, or basically any organic landscaping which is grown. The organic stuff in the house could include leftover fruit or vegetable peelings, or houseplants or old flower arrangements. For purposes of this program, the following may not be placed in the Green Waste bin: animal feces (or any vegetation contaminated with animal waste), cactuses, or palm fronds. This is because they are either a health risk or will damage the grinding machinery. Green waste represents over 30% of the total waste disposed from residential areas in Walnut. That is about 7,000 tons which can be diverted from landfills.
What is the Green Waste Recycling Program and how does it work?
Walnut residents currently participate in the Walnut Automated Curbside Green Waste Recycling Program. Residents separate the green waste like other recyclables and place the green waste into the 96 gallon green waste container provided by the waste hauler. Once the automated container is filled any extra material can be placed into the homeowner’s own rigid garbage container.
Some Do's and Don'ts of the Green Waste Program.
DO participate because every ton diverted saves precious landfill space. DO use a suitable container, with the proper ribbon attached, if the automated container is filled. DO encourage your gardener or landscaper to participate in the green waste program by directing them to use the automated green waste container or by providing them with the proper container and ribbon. DON'T use plastic or paper bags as they contaminate the green waste load. DON'T place palm fronds, palm wood, succulents, cacti, or animal feces in your green waste. Residents can place their automated containers on the curb or sidewalk, and separated from their rubbish and recycling containers for pick up.
Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is a method of mowing your lawn and leaving the clippings. By using a "mulching" mower you can mow your lawn and leave the clipping to produce inexpensive, but highly valuable mulch. Mulching mowers or the attachments blades are very sharp and made in such a way that cuts and chops the grass into little pieces. These pieces fall into the lawn where they compost, or break down, in a very short period of time. The mulch which is produced protects your lawn by adding a limited amount of fertilizer, it helps reduce the amount of water used for irrigation, it reduces the amount of fertilizer you put on your lawn, it protects the lawn from wide swings in temperature, like in the summer, it helps reduce disease and insect damage to your lawn, and it saves landfill space by eliminating throwing away the grass clippings.
