Aussies warned about harmful green bin mistake: 'It's not good'
Grass clippings and leaf litter getting into storm drains can not only clog waterways, it can result in "poor water quality" which can cause headaches for state water suppliers who harvest it for non-drinking purposes, while also harming wildlife. That's because as the organic matter decays in the drainage system, excess minerals such as phosphorus and nitrogen enter into waterways killing plants and fish.
The warning has come from Redland City Council in South East Queensland this week, which reminded homeowners that "grass clippings and leaf litter don't belong in stormwater drains!"
"Apart from blocking drains, these natural materials break down and release excess phosphorus and nitrogen, which can upset the balance in our waterways, leading to poor water quality," the council said, urging gardeners to "pop them in your green lidded bin or use them as mulch to improve your garden naturally!".
The region is bracing for the impact of Cyclone Alfred today and stormwater drains will be flowing furiously with floodwater. Any garden debris in the drains will quickly flow into the region's waterways.
Professional gardener Nathan Stafford told Yahoo News it is important for Aussie homeowners to clean up clippings and dispose of them correctly when working in the garden.
"Drains are really only meant for water and anything else that's going down is not good," he said.
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The great thing is, the very minerals that are problematic in waterways actually work wonders for gardens, Stafford explained, saying those little "nasties" can actually be super useful.
"Every job [I do], I blow all the clippings into a pile and clean it up or put them back on the lawn because it's good nutrients for the grass," he told Yahoo.
Minerals found in decaying matter can help plant growth while others act as a food supply. Simply leaving it on the lawn, rather than blowing it down drains, creates a win-win for gardeners. But same minerals are seen as contaminants in waterways that cause algae infestations to form and circulate stormwater infrastructure.
The simple act of cleaning up garden debris is supported by councils across the country, from metropolitan councils like the City of Ryde in Sydney to South Burnett Regional Council in Queensland having instructions on their websites.
The message is simple — don't put garden clippings down the drain.
The green lidded bin for organic and garden waste continues to spread around the country with NSW last week officially mandating that every council must provide one by 2030.
Councils in the state and Victoria have also previously warned about another green bin mistake people were making, reminding people that plants sprayed with herbicide can't go in the green bin.
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