thumb|Electric lawn mower in grass-cycling mode
'''Grasscycling''' is a method of handling grass clippings by leaving them to decompose on the lawn when mowing. The term combines "grass" and "recycling", and had come into use by at least 1990,<ref name="wordspy">{{cite web|url=http://www.wordspy.com/words/grasscycling.asp|title=Grasscycling definition/etymology|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-date=2014-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716054916/http://www.wordspy.com/words/grasscycling.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> as part of the push to reduce the huge quantities of clippings going into landfills, up to half of some cities' summertime waste flow,<ref name="denver">{{cite web|url=http://www.denvergov.org/recoth/GrassCycle/tabid/425972/Default.aspx|title=Denver Recycle Grasscycle|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905191126/http://www.denvergov.org/recoth/GrassCycle/tabid/425972/Default.aspx|archive-date=2010-09-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> as 1,000 square feet (93 m<sup>2</sup>) of lawn can produce 200 to 500 pounds (90 to 225 kg) of clippings a year.<ref name="rivanna">{{cite web|url=http://avenue.org/rswa/grasscycle.htm |title=Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Grasscycling Info |accessdate=2007-05-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930161007/http://avenue.org/rswa/grasscycle.htm |archivedate=2007-09-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Because grass consists largely of water (80% or more<ref name="faq">{{cite web|url=http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/GrassCycling/FAQ.htm|title=Grasscycling FAQ|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128112309/http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/GrassCycling/FAQ.htm|archive-date=2009-11-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>), contains little lignin,<ref name="faq" /> and has high nitrogen content, grass clippings easily break down during an aerobic process <ref name="O2 No O2">{{cite web|url=http://evolution.about.com/od/Microevolution/a/Aerobic-Vs-Anaerobic-Respiration.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114132148/http://evolution.about.com/od/Microevolution/a/Aerobic-Vs-Anaerobic-Respiration.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 14, 2013|title=Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Processes|last1=Scoville|first1=Heather|website=About Education|publisher=About.com|accessdate=April 17, 2015|ref=O2NoO2}}</ref> (comparable to composting) and returns the decomposed clippings to the soil within one to two weeks,<ref name="rivanna" /> acting primarily as a fertilizer supplement and, to a much smaller degree, a mulch. Grass cycling can provide 15 to 20% or more of a lawn's yearly nitrogen requirements.<ref name="reel">{{cite web|url=http://www.reelmowersetc.com/grasscycle!.htm|title=Grasscycle!|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216171050/http://www.reelmowersetc.com/grasscycle!.htm|archive-date=2012-02-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ciwmb">{{cite web|url=http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/GrassCycling/default.htm|title=California Integrated Waste Management Board - What is grasscycling?|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221190115/http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/organics/grasscycling/default.htm|archive-date=2009-12-21|url-status=dead}}</ref> Proponents also note that grasscycling reduces the use of plastic bags for collecting yard waste and reduces trips to the curb or landfill to haul waste.<ref name="kings">{{cite web|url=http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/rjcgrass.htm|title=King County Experience: Grasscycling|accessdate=2007-05-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19991105152701/http://www.metrokc.gov/procure/green/rjcgrass.htm|archivedate=1999-11-05}}</ref>
==Techniques== Optimal grasscycle techniques include:<ref name="rivanna" /><ref name="reel" /><ref name="baydelta">{{cite web|url=http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/grass/grasstips.html|title=Bay Delta Grass Recycling Campaign|accessdate=2007-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212231333/http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/grass/grasstips.html|archive-date=2012-02-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Cutting no more than 1/3 the length of the grass, this means when lawns are growing fast, mowing about twice a week.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web | url = http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-often-should-you-mow-your-lawn.html | title = How Often Should You Mow Your Lawn? - For Dummies | website = www.dummies.com | access-date = 2016-02-29 }}</ref> * Cutting when the grass is dry to the touch * Cutting when the height is between 3 and 4 inches (7 to 10 cm), once per week.<ref name=":0" /> * Ensuring that the mower blade is sharp
Although a mulching mower can make grass clippings smaller, one is not necessary for grasscycling.
==See also== *Compost *Recycling
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070521072834/http://www.wastediversion.org/grasscycling.htm What Is Grasscycling?] *[https://wemowdallas.com/ Natural Grass Killers]
Category:Lawn care Category:Grasses Category:Organic gardening Category:Soil improvers Category:Recycling Category:Composting