What belongs in the yard waste bags? Grass clippings, grass weeds, and any other leafy yard waste. That is worth recycling.
Perhaps you have leaves fallen over the lawn. With new grass growing at the same time. Use a leaf blower instead of a rake. To avoid uprooting the grass.
In this case, you also can’t stick the vacuum directly on the turf. It might end up doing more harm than good. So blow all the leaves to one side of the lawn.
Put the leaves in a pile. This will make it easier to use the vacuum on them. Do note that when the leaves are wet. It will take more time to blow and collect.
On the other hand, You could have mature grass in the yard. Therefore gentle raking to collect the leaves in a pile. Will do the grass no harm.
Now when collecting the leaves. You could either rake the leaves directly into the waste bag. Or use a scoop.
If not, you could use two rakes as a clamshell. To pick the grass into the waste bag.
Or source from the market a multipurpose rake. Such that you can lock the rake to become a clamshell.
When bagging the leaves. Especially when they are wet. Don’t fill the bag up.
The leaves may cause the bag to burst due to the weight. Although sometimes, this is dependent on the type of bag you are using.
With the wide-mouth bags, a hopper topper may come in handy. To have all leaves falling into the bag at a go.
You will also need something to compress the leaves in the bag. It should be of a smaller diameter than the waste bag. So you can get more leaves inside.
There is the option of making one if you are a handy person. Just cutting a disk could be made of wood or tin. Drill holes through that can let the air out. While compacting the leaves.
With the waste bags. Air is the enemy. Therefore periodically pushing the leaves down will put out the air. You can even use your feet.
It is a good idea to separate the sticks, twigs, or any other woody stuff. With the leaves. To avoid tearing the bag.
Another thing that would help is drilling holes in the trash can. Maybe 4 on top and 4 below. As mentioned before, the air is the enemy.
You don’t want your trash to be at the top of a capable trash can. Since the bottom is filled with air. The holes will help remove air when the trash bag is going down. As well as removing.
When choosing the type of waste bag to use. Consider those with twister ties. They are easy to tie. Plus, they make transporting the waste bags easier.
To make it more affordable for you. Especially if you have lots of lovely trees. Opt for reusable bags that are easy to store away.
If not, you will be using plenty of them. Go for the biodegradable ones. That is easy to seal.
Ensure that the yard waste you are putting out. It can be recycled as mulch and compost. If you are into gardening. A compost pit will work for your benefit.
Some examples of good yard waste bags are:
- Simple black bags with red strings.
The strings are for sealing the bag. This bag is suitable for materials that aren’t too sharp.
- Eco-friendly bio bag lawn and leaf.
This one holds plenty of the trimmings. The advantage to it is that it will decompose with the organic matter over time. So feel confident leaving one in your compost pile.
They are also breathable. Which reduces the odor build-up. Made of natural resin and thin on the inside.
- Hefty strong bags.
This one has been a staple in home waste yards. It is a relatively affordable choice. With drawstrings for keeping the leaves securely contained.
It can hold weight as well. Although sharp tweaks can rip them off.
- Tough bag clear.
Its name sells it away. Because it can carry pointy sticks and branches without tearing. The only disadvantage is that they are tricky to dispose of.
- Fiskars kangaroo.
These bags can hold grass and be repurposed for storing toys. Even though they are 24 inches tall. They can fall to just 3 inches.
This makes them easy to store away. They are made of mildew polyester. As well as supported by internal springs.
- Glory TEC bagster.
They are not called for glory for nothing. These bags can hold up to 132 gallons of waste. As well as being reusable with a large opening. For the easy filling.
That’s not all. They come in a set of two, each capable of containing full yards worth of debris and branches. Water repellent as well as with strong exterior stitching on their handles.
The biggest dilemma with yard waste is whether to bag or mulch it. As you know, grass clippings and leaves are a natural fertilizer. Especially after they are rained on. It benefits the soil with nutrients.
So if you have brown grass clippings. These are bad for mulching. They take a long time to decompose. Since they are dead.
They also don’t add any value to your yard. Except for a mat of grass that doesn’t allow moisture through. So these you bag them.
When they are in green color. These are good. They are full of nutrients. Still alive and can easily decompose. Therefore they can be used as mulch.
Another thing to consider is if you have recently put fertilizer on the yard. If you have, you can’t bag the waste. Especially with organics.
Organics have a tendency to be lighter. Hence sucking up into the bagging system. Therefore it would be good to mulch the grass clippings.
Sometimes it rains for a few days continuously. Making it impossible to mow the grass. Which then gets to overgrow.
This could be the same case with trees. When they do their thing to show us how beautiful it is to let things go. Through the shedding of their leaves.
In both of these scenarios. The grass clippings and leaves are too much to be reused as mulch. Therefore you will need to bag most of it. Maybe remain enough to mulch.
In a nutshell, returning the grass clippings and leaves is beneficial to the yard’s soil. Except if you have Bermuda grass. Which has to be kept short. So the grass clippings can create a problem.
However, when there is just too much waste, bag it. Go for waste bags that have strings for sealing. You don’t want air coming in and decomposition happening inside the bag.
Also, go for reusable waste bags. Since the leaves will always fall every year. If not, go for the biodegradable ones. They are eco-friendly.
So when you put the waste bags out for dump collection. They can be beneficial to the people intending to recycle them.
The waste could also be good for your garden. All you need is a compost pit. And you will have a lifetime supply of mulch. Which is a beneficial organic fertilizer.