Why compost yard waste?
Yard waste is banned from Iowa landfills, pursuant to the Iowa Waste Reduction and Recycling Act of 1989.
Burning leaves and other yard waste pollutes the air and can lead to uncontrolled fires. Most communities ban or restrict leaf burning.
Compost is earth-friendly, benefits your yard, saves money and composting is easy.
Yard waste from landscapers and businesses, and all loads with stumps and large branches, are accepted at the Landfill. Be sure to check our fees by clicking here.
Materials accepted as yard waste:
- Brush
- Leaves
- Plant/grass clippings
- Tree limbs/stumps <12″
COMPOST – Nature’s recycling process
Compost is a dark, crumbly, and earthy smelling form of decomposing organic matter. Anything that was once living can be composted. At the Landfill of North Iowa we compost yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, and plant remains.
It takes 12-15 months for these materials to decompose into good usable compost. It is than screened to remove debris and large pieces of wood. Once screening is completed, the compost is ready for use. Residents of our service area may then load and take this compost at no cost.
Compost can be used to enrich flowerbeds and gardens, to improve the soil around trees and shrubs, and as soil amendment for house plants.
Backyard Composting
Getting started may not be as hard as you think. Some people choose to:
- Start with an open compost pile.
- Purchase a compost bin. Several options are available online and through home-improvement retailers.
- Build a compost bin.
Composting Resources
Below are resources from other agencies, as well as links to more information about how to get started, what to compost, how to build a bin, troubleshooting, etc.