Burning Alternatives

Choose one or more of these
healthier alternative to burning

Attend a free Event!  Spokane Clean Air co-sponsors  "Collection, Chipping & Composting" days in the fall and spring.

Fall Event (typically in early October) is held in south Spokane County - Fire District 8, Station 82, E. 12100 Palouse Hwy, Valleyford Due to renovation of training facilities, the fall Collection and Composting event held at Fire Station 82 is postponed until spring 2012


Spring Event (typically in early-mid April) is held in north Spokane County - Fire District 4, Station 49, Hwy 395 & Monroe Rd


Event Features include:

• Free collection of natural yard debris. Not accepted: soil, dirt, stumps, commercial loads, branches over 6' in length, lumber or trash. Bring gloves, rake, pitchfork or shovel to unload your debris.
  
• Seminars on backyard composting, presented by the Spokane Master Composters/Recyclers. Spokane County residents who complete a seminar recieve a new plastic compost bin, one per household. Bring ID for proof of residency and arrive by 2:30 pm to complete the last session.
  
• Burn barrel trade-in. Bring in your empty burn barrel and trade it in for a compost bin, one per household. Burn barrels are prohibited throughout Washington.
  

Other Alternatives to burning residential yard and garden debris

Haul it! - Rake up your excess material and haul it to your nearest Recycling/Transfer Station. Call the Recycling Hotline for more information, 625-6800. For a list of Spokane-area businesses that peform yard work, haul and/or dispose of natural vegetation, click here or call Spokane Clean Air at 477-4727.

Compost it! - Composting yard and garden waste protects our air, land and water resources while providing a rich garden fertilizer. "How to Compost" workshops are held free for the public throughout the year. For workshop dates and locations, contact the Recycling Hotline at 625-6800. Click here to view a Composting 101 video clip.


Chip it!  - Some residents are choosing to chip their debris. Chippers may be rented or a chipping service hired to take care of your material. Wood chips make excellent mulch around trees and shrubs and can also be used to soften garden paths.


Mulch it! - By mulching, we can easily put nature’s recycling system to work in our own backyard. Spread yard and garden debris around shrubs, trees, and other plantings. Mulching keeps the soil loose and moist, smothers weeds, prevents soil loss and releases nutrients as it decomposes.


Recycle it!  - "Grasscycling" utilizes a special mulching lawn mower designed to chop the grass finely and return the clippings to the soil. Grass clippings break down quickly into a natural fertilizer and will not cause thatch. Consider updating to a mulching mower to eliminate the need for grass clipping disposal.