Opt Out Of Yard Waste Collection, Compost

A yard waste collection program in Casper gets a limited start up in May.

The program, beginning with Thursday's route, is designed to divert things like leaves, dead plant material or grass clippings out of the land fill, in turn saving money by extending the landfills life.

The program is optional and city officials are encouraging citizens to consider mulching and composting as a way to avoid waste collection costs.

"If people are composting on their own property and using their own yard waste at their location its not a program that they would need to participate in."

Horticulturalist Donna Cuin says, however, backyard composting that includes grass clippings treated with chemicals should age at least a year and reach about 160 degrees before its used on other parts of the yard.

Call a master gardener at the Natrona County Agricultural Resource and Learning Center for more yard waste recycling tips.