GrassCycling
Grass is a useful, recyclable resource for lawn fertilizing, composting, or mulching. If hauled to a landfill, grass clippings cannot provide any benefit to lawns or gardens. During the growing season yard waste, primarily composed of grass clippings, contributes to landfill waste and water pollution.
What is Grasscycling?
Grass cycling is a simple act of returning grass clippings to the lawn after mowing or by adding grass clippings to a compost pile 
. The City of Lincoln recycles leaves, grass clippings, and wood chips to create LinGro Compost .
Benefits of Grasscycling:
- Reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers by 25%
- Encourages healthy growth by returning nutrients to the soil beneath the lawn
- Saves time because you don't have to bag or rake and dispose of clippings
- Saves money by eliminating payment for hauling and disposing of clippings
- Benefits the environment by naturally recycling the clippings
How to Begin:
Proper mowing technique is the key to Grasscycling, follow the 1/3 rule: Never cut more than 1/3 the length of the grass blade in any one mowing. Mowing at the right height is critical to the health of a lawn. If grass is mowed at the recommended height of around 3 inches, sun-loving weed species will be out competed by the shade created by the grass. Mowing grass too short will create a weakened lawn and shallower root system, not only leaving grass more susceptible to weeds and disease, but also requiring more fertilizers and pesticides.
Grasscycling can be done with any mower. If you have a bagging mower, remove the bag and simply let the clippings fall to the ground (be sure your mower has a safety flap). This keeps the clippings small enough, promoting faster decomposition and reducing the appearance of grass clippings on the surface of the lawn.
As grass clippings decompose, they act as a natural organic fertilizer, not only returning nitrogen and phosphorus to the lawn, but breaking down quickly, encouraging beneficial microorganisms, bacteria, and earthworms to become active in the soil. Recycling grass clippings to the lawn does not contribute to thatch buildup, as thatch is composed of dead roots, rhizomes, and stems. Over fertilization causes thatch buildup by reducing the amount of beneficial organisms in the soil available to breakdown dead plant matter.
For more information, please visit: Managing Organic Waste , the City of Lincoln Recycling Office, Proper Mowing is the Key to a Healthy Lawn 
, UNL-Extension in Lancaster County
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