Striving for Zero Waste in Our Landscapes and Daily Work

As the season gets underway, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to care for landscapes, but also how to do it responsibly. Sustainability isn't just a trend for us. It's something we're actively working toward in our own homes, in the field, and at our shop. We're not perfect, but we are intentional.

What "Zero Waste" Means to Us

When we talk about striving for zero waste, we don't mean that nothing ever gets thrown away, even though we'd love that! What we mean is: reduce what we send to the landfill, reuse materials whenever possible, recycle what we can, and compost organic waste instead of discarding it.

In landscaping, there's a huge opportunity to do this well because so much of what we handle is natural and reusable. Every day we deal with leaves, grass clippings, branches, and plant debris. Instead of treating that as waste, we look at it as a resource. These practices don't just reduce landfill impact, they also support healthier soil and better long-term landscape performance.

How We've Built This into Our Shop

At our shop, we use a simple four-bin system: Compost, Recycling, Plastic Recycling (orange Hefty bag program), and Trash. You'll find these clearly labeled bins throughout our space, under every employee's desk and in every bay. By making it easy and consistent, it becomes second nature. We also keep a recycling guide posted in our kitchen so everyone can quickly see what belongs where.

Bringing It Home

We encourage our team to carry this same mindset into their homes and we think you can too. A simple setup under your kitchen sink goes a long way: a small compost bin and a small trash bin alongside your regular recycling. This one small shift often flips the way people think about waste. Instead of everything defaulting to the trash, the majority gets redirected into recycling or compost.

One thing that surprises people: a lot of everyday household items can go straight into your compost pile. You don't need to limit it to food scraps. Think about:

• Got a cold? Don't throw your Kleenexes in the trash — toss them in the compost pile. Paper tissues break down quickly.

• Paper towels used for cleaning up food or wiping your hands? Compost them.

• Cardboard egg cartons, paper bags, coffee filters, paper napkins — all compostable.

• Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags — classic compost staples.

• Basically, if it's paper-based or food-based and hasn't touched harsh chemicals, it very likely belongs in your compost, not your trash.

Want to Take It Further? Get Connected.

If you don't have a backyard compost setup, you still have options. Organizations like The Compost Exchange make it easy to participate in composting even without a pile of your own. And if you're local to the Dublin, OH area, the city offers community compost and food scrap collection points where you can drop off organic material, no backyard required.

A Better Way Forward

Good landscaping isn't just about how things look, it's about how they function and how they impact the environment around them. Striving for zero waste is one way we're working toward better outcomes for our clients, our team, and our community.

Start This at Home in 5 Minutes

1. Set up four categories: Compost, Recycling, Plastic (orange Hefty bag), Trash

2. Use your main bins for recycling and plastic collection

3. Add a small compost bin under your sink and remember, more goes in there than you think! (At my home we empty ours weekly!)

4. Add a small trash bin (you'll likely use it less than you expect)

5. Look into local compost drop-off programs in your area

Small changes like this add up fast. Want to know more about our earth-friendly practices? Read more about the commitment we've made.