Most service stations and some auto parts stores now accept used motor oil for recycling. Open burning is against the law most places in Georgia unless you have a permit. If you're planning on clearing brush, try to find a place to pile it and allow it to decompose naturally. Brush piles are sites for wildlife to seek cover and use for homes. Don't clean your yard by washing everything down the storm drain.
Storm drains empty directly into a body of water.
And everything that goes into them ends up in the water. Plus, plants and wildlife can be harmed by paints, fertilizers, pesticides and oil washed down the drain. To learn more on safely handling pesticides and other tips on protecting the environment, contact your county Extension Service office. The annual Turfgrass Field Day at the Georgia Experiment Station in Griffin, Ga., will offer a bonus this year. The popular field day will offer information-packed tours on Thursday, Sept. 3.