🍁 Fall Leaves: Make Mulch, Not Trash!
As the trees of Crowley Park begin their annual wardrobe change and our lawns fill with golden leaves, it’s the perfect time to talk about a small switch that can make a big difference: using compostable paper bags instead of plastic for leaf collection. It’s a simple choice that helps our environment, supports city sustainability efforts, and keeps Crowley Park looking beautiful.
Why compostable bags? Because they’re the eco-friendly heroes of fall cleanup! Unlike plastic bags, which end up in landfills and take centuries to break down, compostable paper bags are designed to return to the earth. They break down naturally and can be transformed into nutrient-rich mulch and compost—perfect for gardens, parks, and landscaping projects throughout our community.
🍃 The Power of Mulch
When you use compostable bags, your leaves and yard trimmings can be collected through Richardson’s Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) program and turned into mulch. That mulch then helps retain moisture in soil, suppress weeds, and enrich our green spaces. It’s a win-win for your yard and the planet!
🛍️ Where to Get Compostable Paper Bags
Compostable paper bags are easy to find at local home improvement stores. They’re sturdy, affordable, and designed specifically for yard waste. Just fill them with leaves and grass, and place them by the curb on your BABIC pickup day—which is the same as your recycling day.
🚫 Say No to Plastic
Plastic bags, while convenient, aren’t recyclable in this context. If you use plastic bags for leaves and grass, they’ll be picked up with your regular trash and sent straight to the landfill. That’s a missed opportunity to turn waste into something useful. Let’s keep plastic out of the compost stream and out of our environment.
📦 Top Tips from the City of Richardson
Here’s how to make the most of your fall cleanup:
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✅ Use a compostable paper bag for leaves and grass
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✅ Schedule a BABIC pickup by calling 972-744-4111, visiting cor.net/Recycling, or using the MyRichardson App
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✅ Mention that you have yard trimmings for compost
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✅ Keep brush separate from bulky items like furniture or appliances so the brush can be mulched
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✅ Place your bags by the street in front of your home on your recycle day
🌿 Happy raking, Crowley Park! 🍁 Let’s bag it right!
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