Every year nearly 8 million tons of leaves end up buried in landfills across the United States. Due to a lack of oxygen, those leaves are unable to decompose quickly and instead release methane gas. However, when fallen leaves are left in your yard they can decompose faster and leave behind organic matter that greatly enhances soil health. Leaves are full of nutrients that will make your lawn thrive, including potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. While ditches, driveway culverts, and storm drains still need to be kept clear of leaves and other debris to prevent flooding, wildlife and lawn experts agree that when it comes to your lawn it is usually better to skip the raking and bagging and leave those leaves in place!
Chopping up blankets of leaves with a lawn mower may be necessary to thin out the material and break the leaves down quickly. This is important because thick layers of leaves left on your lawn blocks out the sunlight which is needed for photosynthesis. Excess leaves can be raked around trees and shrubs in 3 – 6 inch deep piles or into a landscape bed or garden and used for mulch. Combining fallen leaves with grass clippings and other organic green material can also produce nutrient-rich compost.
CLICK HERE to learn more about home composting, or CLICK HERE to learn more about other leaf and yard waste disposal options in Clermont County.
On Monday, November 13, 2023 the public recycling drop-off containers at Miami Township Fire Station 27 (6492 Branch Hill Guinea Pike) were temporarily relocated due to planned construction/renovation at the fire station property. The new temporary location of the containers is at the rear parking lot of Epiphany United Methodist Church, located at 6635 Loveland Miamiville Road. Residents can enter the rear parking lot via Paxton Road to access the temporary recycling drop-off location. The recycling containers are expected to be moved back to Miami Township Fire Station 27 sometime in mid-2024 after construction/renovations are completed.
Reminder: Only paper/cardboard, plastic bottles/cups, aluminum/steel cans, and glass bottles are accepted for recycling at any of the 28 public drop-off sites in Clermont County. All cardboard boxes need to be flattened and free of any packing material. Styrofoam, rigid plastics, clothing or trash are NOT permitted at any of the public recycling drop-off locations. Curbside recycling is also available in this area – contact your waste hauler for pricing and additional information. For a complete listing of accepted recyclable material CLICK HERE.
While decorating for the holiday season, you may encounter the dreaded wad of lights that is impossible to untangle, or a few strings of lights that mysteriously decided to quit working. Don’t throw those strings of lights away – recycle them properly!
The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District is once again providing convenient opportunities to recycle any unwanted or non-working decorative string lights. From now until to February 1st residents will be able to recycle their traditional or LED-style string lights by dropping them into a specially marked outdoor container at the following locations:
It is important to remember that holiday lights cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin or in the public recycling drop-off container you typically use because they will tangle around the machinery and automated equipment at the recycling processing center. Holiday lights require special handling and processing that the Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District is happy to provide! Please note this collection event is for traditional or LED string lights only – fluorescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, or any other holiday decorations cannot be accepted.
Businesses or organizations that have a large quantity of holiday lights to recycle can email DSNYDER@clermontcountyohio.gov or call 513-732-7744 for special accommodations.
The Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District’s efforts to promote proper recycling at its 45 public drop-off sites has been catching residents attention for a while, and also recently caught the attention of the Ohio EPA (OEPA). The Solid Waste District’s successful ongoing campaign was featured in the OEPA’s “Scraps of Wisdom” winter newsletter, which shares program highlights, best practices, and case studies for solid waste management districts and local health departments.” To read the full version of the OEPA newsletter article CLICK HERE