Yard Trimmings

How Can I Recycle Yard Trimmings in Spartanburg County?

In South Carolina, yard trimmings are banned from disposal in a municipal solid waste landfill. Organic waste compressed in a landfill may take tens or hundreds of years to decompose. Not only does this create greenhouse gas methane, it is a waste of our valuable resources.

As a benefit to Spartanburg County residents and avoided disposal of this material, yard trimmings are collected for grinding at the Wellford Landfill, located at 595 Little Mountain Road, Wellford 29385.

Brush, tree limbs and leaves (not bagged) can be dropped off Monday - Saturday, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. No food or pet waste, please.

The mulch generated from the grinding of these yard trimmings is available to Spartanburg County residents. While there is no cost for the material, there is a $5.00 loading fee per bucket of mulch.

Loading hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. Please call in advance to make sure the loader is working that day. Call 864-949-0211 during weekdays and 864-439-2655 on Saturday.

Backyard Composting

How Can I Start My Own Backyard Compost Pile?
Backyard composting can be as basic or fancy as you like. It also depends on the amount of time and effort you want to spend as well as how quickly you want results.

Some people, for example, compost by building a wooden bin. Others take a plastic garbage can and cut the bottom out and drill holes in the side to let air circulate. Others simply purchase a factory made compost bin made from recycled plastic.

Here is a general recipe for a compost pile.

• Find a level spot in the corner of your yard about three to five feet square.
• Pile yard trimmings, leaves and fruit and vegetable food scraps.
• Keep the pile moist -- not soggy -- by watering it occasionally.
• Stir with a pitchfork or stick every few weeks to circulate air (without air, the decomposition process slows) and distribute moisture evenly.
• In addition, mixing your compost lets each item contribute to the decomposition process. Don't be surprised by the heat and insects - both are part of the process. In fact, you can add red wiggler worms. They help aerate the pile and make richer compost.

When is it done? It depends. It could take several weeks to three to six months, but compost generally is done when it becomes a dark, crumbly material that is uniform in texture.

Composting at Home

Most yard trimmings can be composted including leaves, vines, plant stalks, twigs, branches and weeds (without weed seeds) to name a few. Although grass clippings can be included in this list, it's best to let them fall and decompose on your lawn -- they add nutrients to the soil. It's called grasscycling. Click here to learn more.

Food waste can be composted like fruit scraps, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, stale bread and eggshells. In home composting bins, remember DO NOT include meat, bones, dairy or fat. These could attract pests.

This material can be composted as well -- feathers, straw, and rabbit and hamster manure (but not dog and cat waste).

This material should only be composted in LIMITED amounts -- wood ashes (a source of lime), sawdust (requires extra nitrogen -- add more food scraps), plants treated with herbicides (the chemicals need time for thorough decomposition) and shredded non-recyclable paper.

Composting Step-by-Step

• Fill it. Fill a bin with a mix of fresh and dry material. Always cover food scraps with leaves.
• Turn it. Composting needs food, air and water (keep it as wet as a wrung sponge). If you want compost quickly, turn it about once a week. If you don't turn it the process will take longer.
• Use it. Use compost as mulch or soil amendment. To make potting soil, add one part sand to two parts compost.

There are many groups and organizations that can help you learn how to compost. Check with Spartanburg County's recycling coordinator (click here) or the Clemson University Extension Service.

What can you compost?

Here is a list of things you can compost