Mulching
Leaves can be placed beneath trees, shrubs and other landscape plants. This provides food for insects, earthworms and other organisms, which will provide nutrients to your plants. Leaf mulch also inhibits the growth of grass and is an attractive and cheap landscape ground cover material. Leaves can also be mowed and left on the lawn for the same purpose.
Composting
You can dispose of leaves naturally in compost piles. The pile should be no smaller than three feet wide, three feet high and three feet deep to retain the heat needed for decomposition. Available space will dictate how large the pile can be, although it should not exceed eight feet in height or width.
Compost piles can be aerated by turning the material either by hand or mechanically. Leaves should be moist but not saturated for proper composting. Some leaves, such as oak leaves, take longer to decompose than other leaves. Mowing leaves during collection or shredding afterwards can speed up the composting process.
Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension of Lake County, can help with technical questions related to home composting. Contact them at (847) 223-8627 or on their website http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/lake .
Visit SWALCO's Compost Bin Sales/Compsting page for more information on composting and compost bin sales in Lake County.
Commercial Collection
Residents who contract with a waste hauler for garbage collection may also be able to contract for yard waste pick up. Townships and homeowners' associations may be able to contract for pick up or vacuum collection on behalf of their residents. Remember to keep leaves out of the street and away from all stormwater sewer drains.
Commercial Compost Drop Off Sites
Information about Compost Facilities can be found in the Services & Facilities page of this website.
Good Neighbor Leaf Burning Tips
- If leaf burning is allowed in your community and you need to burn, please review and follow these guidelines to minimize the impact to neighbors and the environment. Check with your village/township to determine if you need a permit to burn.
- Be courteous and respectful to your neighbors, especially those with breathing problems. Let them know before you burn.
- Do not burn on windy days, or days when the wind blows towards your neighbors.
- Do not burn wet leaves. Smoke from such fires stays closer to the ground and longer in the breathing zone.
- The best time of day to burn is from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The smoke clears the fastest at this time of day.
- If you can, burn several small fires instead of one large fire. The leaves will burn faster this way, reducing air pollution.
- Always attend, manage and control your fire. Always have a hose or water source nearby.
- Do not burn in ditches, drainage ways or within 25 feet of a body of water.
Open burning of anything other than yard waste, such as garbage, is not permitted. Contact your local fire department or village for rules, regulations and/or a permit.
Why Is Proper Management Important?
Health and air pollution are major reasons why we need to explore better ways to manage leaf disposal. While leaf burning may be convenient and affordable, scientific studies conducted at both the state and national levels have shown that it is a health hazard.
Leaf smoke is made up almost entirely of tiny particles that can reach deep into lung tissue and cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest pain and shortness of breath. This is particularly harmful for individuals with diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, allergies and influenza. Young children with immature lungs and the elderly are most frequently affected.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the U.S. Extrapolations from national data suggest approximately 29,000 Lake County residents suffer from asthma. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports 1,009 hospitalizations and 12 deaths from asthma in Lake County in 1997.
In addition to being a health hazard, leaf burning pollutes the environment, and releases many harmful ingredients. It also reduces visibility, creates road and safety hazards and places additional demands on local police and fire departments. Because of all the risks, 23 of the 52 Lake County municipalities prohibit open burning and 14 others have imposed date or time restrictions.
By trying an alternative or burning in a community friendly way, you can help keep Lake County a great place to live for many generations to come.
Resources
For additional information, residents can contact:
Lake County Health Department
Phone: 847.360.6747
Website: www.lakecountyil.gov/health
