Don’t bag grass clippings destined for transfer station

Throughout the last month, multiple fires have started in trailers at the Bruce Transfer Station because of grass clippings being thrown away in garbage bags. The Adams County Public Works Solid Waste division is informing citizens about the dangers of throwing away bagged clippings in hopes of preventing any future fires.

The first fire occurred on Friday, July 13, and started in the back of a steel trailer. The trailer was unloaded onto the floor, but the fire reignited hours later.

Fires continued to be an issue throughout the weekend and bagged grass clippings were identified as the source of the fires. The most recent fire began on Aug. 3, and again, the cause of the fire is believed to be from clippings.

Garbage from Lind, Odessa and Othello is all hauled to the Bruce station and staff is attempting to find which area the grass clippings have originated from.

Bagged grass clippings cause fires through the process of spontaneous combustion, which involves microbial growth and chemical decomposition. The wet material begins to release heat, but it is unable to escape and eventually the temperature of the gases released rises above its ignition point.

The heat of the bag can lead to a fire when the bag is broken and the gases are exposed to oxygen, causing the material to ignite and catch fire.

The Bruce and Ritzville transfer stations both accept loose grass clippings and the material are then shipped to a local composting facility where it is transformed into nutrient-rich organic material. Other yard waste materials and clean wood is also shipped to the facility.

Residents are asked to bring grass clippings in reusable containers such as cardboard boxes and yard waste bags. The contents are then dumped out to insure the clippings are dry.

Aside from properly recycling at transfer stations, residents are also encouraged to try “grasscycling” as an alternative to delivering clippings. Grasscycling is recycling by allowing grass clippings to decompose back into the soil instead of collecting and placing them in containers.

Grass clippings are 75-80 percent water and decompose quickly, which helps reduce the need for fertilizers.

Some residents may fear that leaving clippings on the lawn will cause thatch. Improper watering and fertilization cause thatch buildup, typically being caused by roots and dead leaves, or other materials that decompose at a slower rate than clippings.

Organic waste recycling items that are being accepted at both transfer stations are leaves, brush, grass clippings, small branches, vegetation and clean wood. Yard waste recycling items that are collected include branches, shrubs, wooden furniture, stumps, clean wood and pallets.

Items that are not accepted at this time are treated wood, rocks, manure/food waste, items over a six-inch diameter, painted wood, sod/dirt and items over eight-feet long. The solid waste fee schedule can be found on Page A-2.

For more information, contact the Adams County Solid Waste department at 659-3276.