Lafayette stresses biodegradable bags

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - "Biodegradable" is the buzz word the City of Lafayette is stressing when it comes time to pick up yard waste.

As the weather gets better more and more people will begin mowing their yards.

The clippings often get bagged and thrown out with the trash.

Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski is stressing the use of biodegradable bags when throwing out yard waste.

He said the bags make it easier for trash crews to dispose of. They also help keep down the cost for Lafayette residents.

"We really look for efficiencies. We have to do more work with less people and, of course, cutting things open, dumping things out, as opposed to just backing a truck up and dump it. It takes time and it all matters," said Roswarski.

Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski says it's a message that began last year and is continuing into 2010.

"Anything that is bagged can not be in plastic. We can not put plastic in a compost pile. We can not put in plastic when we take and dump the leaves over at Purdue. It takes a lot of time to cut the bags open, empty them, then get the leaves out and we just can not do that."

The Mayor says there will be a two week "grace period" for the biodegradable bags.

After those two weeks, the city will not accept them. You can find biodegradable bags at most discount and hardware stores.