leaves

Can you put leaves in the organic waste bin

Leaves consist of plant material that decomposes well and is therefore also considered organic waste. When disposing of leaves in the organic waste bin, it is important to ensure that the leaves are free of coarse dirt, plastic, stones or other non-biodegradable materials. Such impurities can disrupt the composting process and impair the quality of the compost. Leaves that fall from the trees in the fall can therefore be disposed of in organic waste without any problems.

Tips for the correct disposal of leaves in organic waste

When disposing of leaves in the organic waste bin, you should make sure that the leaves are clean and dry. Damp leaves can clump together in the organic waste bin and impair aeration, which can slow down the composting process. It is also advisable to lightly shred the leaves before putting them in the organic waste bin. This will speed up the decomposition process and ensure more even composting.

Alternatives to the organic waste bin

However, if a lot of leaves accumulate, the organic waste bin will fill up quite quickly, in which case please do not dispose of them in the residual waste or paper waste. Here we show you alternative ways to dispose of leaves in your organic waste.

Many municipalities have special leaf bags in which leaves can be collected. As a rule, the recyclable leaf bags can be obtained from the municipality for a fee and are then collected on fixed dates. In some areas, specially placed leaf baskets along the roads are also common. Large quantities of leaves can also be taken to the recycling center or directly to the waste collection center.

If you have your own compost in the garden, you can compost some of the leaves there. Dry leaves are also very suitable for filling raised beds. Another option is to use it as leaf mulch. To do this, simply cover the root area of the bedding plants or trees with the leaves. Over time, the leaves will decompose and enrich the soil with humus.

An environmentally and animal-friendly solution is to pile up leaves in the garden to offer animals a place to hibernate. So if you have an unused, quiet corner in your garden, you can pile up leaves, tree cuttings and grass cuttings into loose heaps. Hedgehogs in particular like to use this to find shelter from the cold.

Rotting - Not every leaf is the same

As different as trees are in their appearance, as different is the rotting time of the leaves. While the leaves of fruit trees, willows, birches or maples decompose relatively quickly, the leaves of beech, chestnut, oak and walnut decompose more slowly. Sycamore or walnut leaves, for example, can take up to 5 years to decompose. Of course, the time of year also plays a role here. In the warm months, the decomposition process does not take as long as in the fall or winter.

Leaf disposal made easy

So if you have the opportunity to reuse the leaves in your own garden, whether as mulch, filling material or winter quarters for small animals, you should do so. If this is not possible, the local authority’s leaf collection service or the organic waste bin is the right choice.