Tons of fallen leaves are being recycled in the borough thanks to the expansion of a recycling scheme by the Parks and Open Spaces team. The fallen leaves are being used as mulch to benefit the local environment.
The leaves are among 1,000 tons of organic material collected each year, including; leaves, prunings and grass mowings, which are ground into mulch and used to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the earth in the borough’s parks and other green spaces.
An expansion of the recycling scheme means the green waste is now being used in shrub beds on housing estates and borough highways, instead of being bagged up and sent off to recycling plants outside Greenwich.
Saving costs
The locally-produced mulch means cost savings in bagging, a reduction in traffic and emissions from transporting it to plants in and out of the borough, and a decrease in the need for weed killer.
Protecting trees
The Friends of Well Hall Pleasaunce are among local parks groups who have benefited from the locally-produced mulch. Secretary John Webb explained how local mulch was used to protect around 1,000 new trees planted near the park’s putting green area. He said:
"We’ve planted a range of trees including oaks, hazel, birch, beech and poplar and the mulch has been used to keep down weeds and keep in moisture. The aim of this planting project is to foster local wildlife and we are pleased to be using a locally sourced mulch."
Benefitting the borough
Councillor Rajwant Sidhu, Cabinet Member for Greener Greenwich, added:
"It’s remarkable to see just how much leaves have been swept up - it’s a mountain! What’s even more remarkable is that this so-called ‘rubbish’ is being reused for the benefit of the borough.
"The mulch is being taken to our parks and open spaces across the borough. Not only does this mean the important cutting back on weed growth, but it’s also adding nutrients to the soil to enhance our displays of bloom."
9 January 2008