Skip to content
How Do I...?
View all How do I...? questions and answers

Grass Clippings FAQs

The Borough of Conshohocken does not accept grass clippings with yard waste collection. Please see the list of FAQs below to learn how to properly dispose of your grass clippings. For additional questions or for more information, please call 610-828-1092. 

Why does the Borough no longer accept grass clippings with yard waste? 

As of January 2019, the Borough stopped accepting grass clippings with yard waste. In the past, Public Services took residential grass clippings to a facility in Upper Merion for disposal. This facility no longer accepts grass clippings from other municipalities. Unfortunately, there are no other nearby facilities that we can take our grass clippings to without significantly increasing operating costs. 

Can I put of my grass clippings in my regular trash? 

No. Grass clippings should not be included with your regular household trash or with yard waste. Public Works will not collect grass clippings left curbside. Doing so may also result in a violation or fine. Trash services are included in resident taxes; however, the Borough pays a facility to dispose of trash. The cost of disposal is based on weight.  Putting grass clippings in your trash increases the overall trash weight generated by the Borough. During the summer, grass clippings could account for more than 50% of all residential trash. This would ultimately affect the overall costs of garbage disposal and increase budget costs for the Borough.

What should I do with my grass clippings instead?

Residents are encouraged to recycle their grass clippings as an alternative option to disposal.  Grass clippings are 100% recyclable, which means you can put them directly back into your soil. This helps your lawn, helps the environment and makes mowing your lawn easier and faster.  Grass clippings can be used in a number of ways for fertilization, lawn care, mulching, and composting. If you can’t use your grass clippings, try to find a neighbor who can! Start recycling your grass clippings by using the tips below.

Recycling Your Grass Clippings 

  • Grass clippings promote better growth by returning essential plant nutrients to the lawn.
  • Every trash bag of clippings contains as much as a quarter pound of usable organic nitrogen. 
  • Grass clippings keep the soil cooler and help maintain soil moisture.
  • Grass clippings enhance topsoil development and improve soil structure. 
  • During the summer, grass clippings can account for more than 50% of all residential trash. Recycling grass clippings frees up valuable landfill space and reduces landfill methane gas and leachate problems. 

Lawn Care
Recycling grass clippings requires only basic lawn care: 

  • Mow frequently, each time cutting about ½ inch to 1 inch and never cutting the lawn shorter than 2 to 2 ½ inches in height.
  • Keep mower blades sharp to avoid injuring the grass and to minimize the length of the grass clippings.
  • Use mulching mower or one that discharges grass clippings evenly. 
  • Do not over fertilize. Too much fertilizer can contaminate surface and ground water and stimulate new growth that will need mowing.
  • Do not water excessively. Too much water can increase that need for more frequent moving. 

Mulching
Avoid recycling grass clippings when your lawn is too tall or the conditions are too wet. Instead, use grass clippings as mulch. Mulching provides a variety of benefits:

  • Clipping spreads evenly around the garden and bedding plants help control weeds. 
  • Mulching shades the soil surface, keeps soil temperatures low and helps to retain moisture. 
  • Clippings release valuable nutrients as they decompose.
  • Avoid mulching with grass clippings that have been recently treated with herbicides that may harm sensitive plants. Instead, leave recently treated clippings on the lawn or place them into a compost bin, where most herbicides will break down. 

Benefits of Recycling Grass Clippings 

  • Mowing time can be reduced 50% by eliminating the bagging and disposal of clippings.
  • You won’t need to purchase expensive trash bags.
  • Recycling grass clippings saves time and money spent on commercial fertilizers.
  • You’ll eliminate physical injuries caused by bagging, lifting and carrying grass clippings.

Composting Yard Waste
Composting grass clippings and leaves is another time and money saving option for recycling yard waste. 

What are some the benefits of recycling grass clippings? 

  • Grass clippings promote better growth by returning essential plant nutrients to the lawn.
  • Grass clippings keep the soil cooler and help maintain soil moisture. They also enhance topsoil development and improve soil structure. 
  • Recycling grass clippings frees up valuable landfill space and reduces landfill methane gas and leachate problems. 
  • You no longer need to purchase expensive trash bags.
  • Recycling grass clippings saves time and money spent on commercial fertilizers.
  • You’ll eliminate physical injuries caused by bagging, lifting and carrying grass clippings.

What if I still want to dispose of my grass clippings? 

To properly dispose of grass clippings residents may take them to a commercial compost facility. If you need help locating a compost company go to http://findacomposter.com/.