This is equivalent to throwing away 28 million tons of mowed grass, leaves, and branches every year. Furthermore, according to Illinois law, yard waste can no longer be disposed of in landfills. Other ways to manage yard waste must be undertaken. As well as reducing the waste stream, mulching and composting reduce bagging costs and improve soil condition. Good soil results in healthy plants.
Healthy plants help clean the air, conserve soil and make the community more beautiful.
Landscape waste is ground, composted, and used for daily cover on the landfill. Macon County Compost Facility. Landscape is composted en-masse over a period of time and sold to various customers for use on lawns, courts, etc. The City of Decatur licenses 18 haulers to collect and dispose of landscape waste from Decatur residents. For a flat monthly rate, residents receive weekly landscape waste collection.