Grass clippings unwanted

During Wednesday’s budget work session, City Council Member Leslie Pool and Austin Resource Recovery found common ground on grass clippings. While discussing the city’s organics program, Pool asked Resource Recovery Director Bob Gedert if his department had seen a change in the amount of grass clippings being collected since the dawn of the age of xeriscaping. Gedert replied that, regrettably, he had not. “We are still collecting a tremendous amount of grass clippings. We really would like to see a ‘leave it lay’ program, where we aren’t collecting the grass,” he said. “The grass comes with the program, but it an unnecessary collection.” Pool said she hopes she can work with other city departments to get the word out and educate the city on the importance of leaving grass clippings on lawns. She offered to hold a hearing on the topic at the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee after the summer break.