Cobourg sets out wise waste disposal reminder
Yard waste. By Gary Meulemans. Free Use. Unsplash.
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg's Environmental Services Department has issued a reminder of the importance of proper yard-waste disposal options.
The first point is a warning of the significant negative impacts of dumping yard waste into water bodies. This decomposing matter releases excess nutrients that lead to algal blooms, which can be toxic to humans and animals. Algal blooms deplete the oxygen levels in water bodies, negatively impacting aquatic life and disrupting the balance of the community's ecosystem.
A number of options were suggested.
Mulch leaves to use as fertilizer in the garden.
Leave a reasonable amount of leaves and grass clippings where they are – they can help fertilize the yard and improve water retention for moist and healthy soil.
Dispose of grass clippings and leaves in a home-compost bin away from any water bodies.
Collect leaves, grass clippings and brush in designated paper yard-waste bags, and follow the Northumberland County schedule for free pick-up on collection weeks.
When collecting and disposing of yard waste, please remember:
Do not put grass clippings, leaves or other yard waste on the road. This can be a safety hazard for motorists, and is prohibited under the town's Brush and Leaf Collection Programs Bylaw (069-2014),
Do not put grass clippings, leaves or other yard waste directly into creeks, rivers, lakes or anywhere from which they can make their way into a water body via a storm sewer catch basin.
For more information on yard waste collection dates, set-out requirements and acceptable materials, visit the Northumberland County website.
