Safe Alternatives to Burning Leaves
Every autumn and spring, cities report incidents of burning dry leaves, grass, and branches.
The city administration of Odesa once again reminds: burning dry leaves and grass is strictly prohibited in Ukraine and can result in administrative fines, or in some cases, criminal liability. This practice harms health, the environment, and poses threats to life.
It is also forbidden to dispose of leaves and cut branches in trash containers or leave them beside them.
There is a myth that burning improves crop yields. In reality, this is not true.
Firstly, burning destroys the microflora that is essential for important biological processes. The restoration of fertile soil can take up to 5–6 years.
Secondly, the combustion process pollutes the air with harmful substances detrimental to respiratory health.
Thirdly, burning grass does NOT warm the soil, does NOT enrich it with ash, and does NOT promote the growth of new grass.
Moreover, a small fire can escalate into a large wildfire, causing destruction and increasing the workload for emergency services.
A better approach is to compost leaves, which is not only a civilized method of managing organic waste but also an economical way to produce excellent fertilizer.
