2 Printed on paper that contains at least 50 percent postconsumer fiber. 
R R ebuy 

ecycle 

provides cost-efficient and e

tally friendly solutions for larg

landscaping. Designed to he

natural resources and preve

pollution, GreenScapes enco

companies, government age

other entities to make more 

sions regarding waste gener

disposal and the associated 

land, water, air, and energy u

focusing on the “4 Rs”—red

recycle, and rebuy—you can 

improve both your bottom lin

environment. 
operationstrees, shrubs, brush, lumber, 

asphalt, and concrete, just to name a few. 

Also, consider the millions of gallons of water, 

pesticides, fuels, and oils used each and every 

day in landscaping. The costs of these materials—both economic and environmental—can 

be easily reduced or eliminated with updated 

landscaping methods. 

What Can You Do? 

Understanding the economic and environmental benefits of saving resources and preventing 

waste and pollution is key to bringing positive 

changes to your operations and surroundings. 

These changes can be made gradually. Set a 

combination of short- and long-term goals— 

activities that can be performed in a few 

weeks paired with actions that can be implemented later for future gains. Even small 

improvements can create a huge ripple-effect 

not only on your site, but throughout your 

industry and the environment. Focus on the 

4 Rs: 

• Reduce 

• Reuse 

• Recycle 

• Rebuy 

•Reduce or eliminate plastic 

substitute with blankets, be

socks made of compost, fo

trol and reduction of non-po

lution. Compost provides su

and erosion prevention/cont

easily installed and maintain

not require energy-intensive 

disposal from the site once 

completed. 

•Reduce nonpermeable hard

er possible to minimize rainw

and erosion. Consider parki

paths made from mulch or g

hard surfaces are necessary

This filter berm made from com

strates how well the organic m

retain runoff in comparison to 

fence in the lower portion of th

2 
and climate conditions. Once established, 

these native plants can survive with little 

care or water. Add compost to the soil to 

help improve water absorption and retention and further reduce water requirements. Native plants are also more pestresistant and healthier, thus requiring less 

4 

Compost – An On-Par Alternative 

The soil on the North Shore Country Club 

(Glenview, Illinios) golf course had elevated sodium levels—too high to maintain 

quality turf. Standard procedure called 

for the installation of a wellto solve this 

problem, but that solution came with a 

quarter million dollar price tag. With a 

little research, North Shore found compost 

to be the economical alternative to 

enhance the quality of its soil. 

• 

• 

• 

spot treat whenever possibl

cases, treating an entire reg

cides isn’t necessary if the p

confined to specific areas. T

than necessary is wasteful a

environmentally damaging. F

sons, consider using organi

instead of chemical ones. 

Start or increase onsite com

your green wastes and food 

Compost contributes vital n

disease-suppressing proper

reducing the need for chem

or pesticides. Compost is a

lent material for seeding gra

plants, reclaiming nutrient-p

preventing erosion. Compos

made cheaply and easily on 

addition, diverting organic m

compost pile can prevent th

of the greenhouse gas meth

normally occurs when this w

in landfills. 

Top-dress your turf with com

can decrease fertilizer use b

percent and decrease irrigat

increasing water absorption 

Place mulch over a plant’s r

reduce moisture evaporation 

water. Mulch also inhibits we

Save money and make your 
by chipping wood wastes generated from 

your site. 

•Set mower blades higher. Longer top 

growth means deeper roots, making the 

grass more durable in drought conditions 

and better able to fight weeds and diseases without pesticides. 

•Grasscycle—leave grass clippings in place 

(don’t bag) when mowing. The clippings 

quickly decompose and release valuable 

nutrients into the soil, reducing the need 

for fertilizers by 15 to 25 percent. This 

activity also reduces water use, grass disposal, and maintenance costs. Grass trimmings do not cause thatch. 

•Use vegetation outside to reduce indoor 

heating and cooling needs. Deciduous 

trees planted appropriately along the 

south sides of buildings can reduce air 

conditioning costs by up to 20 percent; in 

winter they allow the sun’s rays to warm 

buildings. Coniferous trees planted to 

block prevailing northwest winter winds 

can reduce heating costs. Trees planted to 

shade paved areas reduce the summer 

“heat-island” effect that makes parking 

lots so inhospitable. 

• 

• 

• 

prevention. 

Return wooden pallets to yo

whenever possible. Nonretu

can be taken apart and the 

reused for compost bins, fo

chipped and used on site fo

Donate healthy plants to co

dens, schools, churches, or 

nonprofit organizations whe

or removing trees and shrub

landscape. 

Use alternative sources of ir

such as gray water, reclaime

and collected rain water. Th

save water and money while 

reduce runoff, erosion, and 

source pollution. 

6 
Agri-Plas, Inc., an agricultural plastic 

recycler in Oregon, processes tons of discarded plastics from the agricultural and 

nursery industries each year. The company 

collects trays, pots, and greenhouse films 

from about 100 nearby nurseries and 

picks up baling twine and plastic agricultural chemical containers from local farmers and growers. Agri-Plas provides the 

recovered plastic to end users that make 

new products for the nursery and automotive industries. 

of technology that conserves res

prevents waste. You can work w

agers, clients, suppliers, and ven

fy and establish specifications to 

ious recycled-content products. 

products—products other than f

that utilize biological products or 

domestic agricultural (e.g., plant

marine) or forestry materials—sh

given preference1

. Try these rebu

•Use blankets and berms ma

Recycle 

Creating products from recycled materials 

saves energy and resources, and can often 

generate revenue. Try some of the following 

recycling suggestions: 

•Send clippings and trimmings that cannot 

be composted on site to a local composting facility in exchange for the finished 

compost at a discounted price or fee. 

•Save bedding trays and plant containers 

from annuals and other greenery and send 

them to a recycler for processing. 

•Rinse out and recycle plastic bottles and 

jugs from commercial chemicals. 

•Collect and recycle the used oil and tires 

from your vehicles and equipment. 

8 

post to minimize or eliminate 

runoff, and nonpoint source 

Compost is both a biobased 

a recycled product because 

from recycled organic waste 

Compost also makes an exc

media for volatile organic co

(VOCs). 

1. As defined under Executive Order 

Executive Order 13134. 
and reduces the frequency of repairs. 

•Buy hoses, tubing, trickle irrigation systems, and lawn edging made from recovered plastic and old tires. 

•Purchase biodiesel and biobased lubricants for your equipment. Besides being 

better for the environment, keeping less 

hazardous materials on your site reduces 

management costs and possibly insurance costs. 

This walking path at the Earvin “Magic” 

Johnson Recreation Area in Los Angeles 

County is made from rubberized asphalt, 

which is more resilient than traditional 

asphalt. 

you can take before you eve

pest problem. If pesticides b

sary, they are selected and 

that minimize risks to human 

environment and remove on

organism. 

Additional Benefit

GreenScaping: 

•Reduced exposure of your c

employees, and yourself to 

harmful chemicals, solvents

pesticides. 

•Improved competitive edge 

costs and improved materia

•Increased beauty—a natura

is aesthetically pleasing. 

•Improved public perception 

business. 

•Knowledge that you are ma

by helping prevent pollution

change, and reduce your “e

footprint” on the Earth. 

10 
plastic lumber and rubberized asphalt. 

❑	 Compost landscape clippings and use as a 

soil amendment. 

❑	 Grind or chip wood waste for use as mulch to 

conserve water and prevent weed growth. 

❑	 Grasscycle—leave grass clippings on the turf 

as a natural fertilizer. 

❑	 Capture and use rain water for irrigation 

needs. 

❑	 Donate unwanted plants to local 

organizations. 

❑	 Recycle plastics, tires, and used oil from your 

operations and equipment. 

❑	 Buy environmentally preferable products such 

as biobased nontoxic cleaners and solvents 

for your equipment and facilities maintenance. 

❑ Start an IPM program. 

❑	 Check with your insurance company for 

possible discounts for reduced environmental 

risks and increased safety. 

❑ Tell us about your successes. 

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/n

Reference to any specific co

products, processes, compan

services by trade name, trad

manufacturer or otherwise, d

constitute or imply endorsem

recommendation by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Ag

12