If anyone deserves a world-famous celebration, it’s Mom, our rockstars who provide unwavering love and support, in addition to imparting wisdom and guidance when we need it.

This Mother’s Day, SWACO sends out a heartfelt salute to all moms, and we especially celebrate those making central Ohio more sustainable.

So, Mom, as you’re deservedly lavished this holiday weekend with bouquets of flowers and planters, and as you’re beautifying yards with flowerbeds and starting gardens to nourish your families, we know we can count on you to continue to lead a charge that each year helps SWACO divert nearly 200,000 tons of organic lawn and yard waste from our landfill.

Composting is the natural decomposition of organic waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, shrubs, weeds, brush, twigs and small branches. Properly disposing of yard waste offers several benefits:

• It saves space in the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill.
• It reduces the amount of greenhouse gases being generated.
• It promotes the use of natural, renewable resources.

You can learn more for yourself or help educate others at Compost-at-Home-Guide (swaco.org).

Simply by collecting yard waste and composting at home, you and your family can create nutrient-rich material that can be used to enhance your lawns and gardens.

You can also help divert the flow of organic waste from the landfill through the county’s curbside yard waste pickup program, which is available in most central Ohio communities.

Additionally, yard waste can be dropped off at participating local businesses. These companies turn yard waste into mulch and composting material for resale and are listed at Yard Waste | SWACO, OH.

When collecting yard waste, just remember:

• No food or pet waste
• No dirt or rocks
• No plastic bags or bottles
• No sod
• No soil
• No pots
• Don’t use plastic bags to collect yard waste. Keep it loose or use compostable bags.

SWACO again wishes all central Ohio moms the happiest of Mother’s Days. We’re sincerely grateful for your contributions to our communities, and for continuing to lead by example and educate others about sustainability and the virtues of composting and properly disposing of yard waste.