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Organics Market Development Indicators

Landscape Management Outreach Effectiveness

Most greenwaste generated from urban landscapes (i.e. tree and shrub trimmings, grass clippings, leaves, etc.) is produced by the professional landscape industry. Consequently, the Board has undertaken a series of Landscape Management Outreach Program activities designed to prevent excessive greenwaste generation, increase diversion from landfills, and promote the use of compost and mulch made from urban-derived greenwaste materials.

Board staff has conducted a series of surveys among participants at major landscape industry trade shows and expositions in both Northern and Southern California starting in the 1998-1999 season (annual trade show season runs from October to April). Surveys results are tabulated in the following charts:

• Current Greenwaste Management Methods
• Barriers to Greenwaste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling
• Landscape Applications of Compost/Mulch Materials Used
• Types of Compost/Mulch Feedstock Used
• Barriers to Using Compost/Mulch Materials

Current Greenwaste Management Methods

The data shows a slight but positive trend toward increased use of best management practices, such as grasscycling, mulching trimmings on-site, limiting chemical fertilization usage, controlling irrigation runoff, and using selective pruning, to reduce greenwaste generation. On the disposal side, there has been a significant reduction in the use of residential curbside bins and commercial haulers to remove greenwaste from landscape sites. A slight reduction in landfill use was also noted.

Green Waste Management Methods Current Methods 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 Landfill 12.77% 11.14% 11.22% Local Transfer Station 0.00% 3.71% 5.44% Commercial Hauler 10.64% 7.43% 4.76% Grasscycle 8.51% 9.16% 10.54% Mulch Trimmings 8.51% 9.90% 10.20% Control Irrigation 5.32% 9.65% 7.82% Growth Regulators 3.19% 1.98% 4.08% Other (Specify) 1.06% 1.98% 0.68%

Barriers to Greenwaste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling

A review of the reported barriers to using best management practices shows there has been a significant jump in the number of participants reporting they have no barriers. Those reporting a lack of training on using BMPs has sharply decreased, while at the same time participants report an increase in other specified barriers. Of note, participants report that they are finding a greater availability of local greenwaste hauling services.

Barriers to Green Waste Reduction Reuse, Recycling Barriers 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 Client Prevents  5.88% 7.10% 6.04% Lack Equipment  14.71% 8.74% 14.77% No Local Facilities  11.03% 9.84% 10.74% Lack Training  7.35% 8.20% 2.01% No Local Hauling  11.03% 5.46% 3.36% Other (Specify)  2.94% 6.01% 9.40%

Landscape Applications of Compost/Mulch Materials Used

Weed suppression and soil amendment are the two largest end uses for mulch or compost materials according to the survey results. Turf topdressing applications have greatly increased, while water conservation and backfill mix uses have shown a downward trend during the last several years.

Landscape Applications of Compost/Mulch Materials Used Material End Use 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 Top Dressing  12.01% 18.67% 18.31% Weed Suppression  18.32% 15.98% 20.00% Erosion Control  12.31% 13.69% 10.17% Soil Amendment  17.12% 17.22% 17.97% Never Apply  1.50% 3.32% 3.05% Add Organic Matter  15.62% 12.86% 14.58% Water Conservation   14.41% 12.24% 10.51% Backfill Mix  8.11% 5.39% 4.41% Other (Specify)  0.60% 0.62% 1.02%

Types of Compost/Mulch Feedstock Used

Yard trimmings and forestry byproducts are the two largest feedstock sources for the compost/mulch used by survey participants. Each was consistently used by over 20 percent of those surveyed over the last three years. Composted manure feedstock is the next largest feedstock source, but this is significantly lower than the yard trimmings or forestry byproducts. Less than 5 percent of the participants reported using organic products made from food or agricultural residues. An interesting note is that about 20 percent of those surveyed report using some sort of material from on-site composting.

Types of Compost/Mulch Used Types Used 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 Composted Manure  17.74% 12.88% 16.67% Forestry By-products  20.43% 23.48% 22.40% Any Product  10.22% 14.02% 14.06% On-site Composting  19.35% 21.59% 19.79% Don't Know  1.08% 2.65% 2.60% Yard Trimmings  25.81% 20.08% 22.92% Food or Ag Residues   3.76% 2.65% 1.04% Other (Specify)  1.61% 2.65% 1.04%

Barriers to Using Compost/Mulch Materials

Survey participants report encountering a number of barriers to using organic products in urban landscapes. The two biggest barriers are the lack of proper application equipment and the lack of technical know-how. Other significant barriers include a perception of unreliable quality and either the employer or the customer discourages its use. While the participants report that the availability of local suppliers has increased, the perception that products are too expensive has also sharply increased.

Barriers to Using Compost and Mulch Materials Barriers 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 Customer Prevents 13.64%  13.51% 12.82% Employer Discourages 9.09%  14.41% 12.82% Lack Equipment 15.91%  13.51% 17.95% No Benefits 4.55%  4.50% 2.56% No Local Suppliers 7.95%  4.50% 1.28% Unreliable Quality 10.23%  8.11% 11.54% Lack Technical Info  15.91% 12.61% 15.38% Too Expensive 6.82%  12.61% 15.38% Other (Specify) 15.91%  16.22% 21.79%

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Last updated: August 29, 2008