Will Drought Mean Less Greenery Going to Landfill?

As people are tearing out lawns and going with more drought tolerant plants, some cities are noticing a shortage of plants and grass being turned into compost

Some California cities have reported a drop in greenery going to the landfill because of the statewide drought. That's not happening here in San Diego, according to one city official.

Landscaper Mitch Mims stopped by Miramar Landfill Friday to fill up plastic bags with compost.

The compost is a combination of garden greenery and food waste.  

After three months at the landfill the combination is turned into a rich soil that Mims uses on gardens.

"This is going to go into planter beds and going to help retain moisture," said Mims.

But making the compost could be a problem in the future.  

With the drought, homeowners are using less water and that means fewer plants and lawns and ultimately less greenery heading to the landfill.  

It's already been a problem in parts of central and northern California.  But what about in San Diego?

City recycling specialist Renee Robertson told NBC 7 the we are not seeing the big drop.

"We haven't seen any indication that's going to happen yet on a massive scale in San Diego," said Robertson.

She says homeowners have been cutting back on watering for a few years and many are using drought-tolerant landscaping.  

"I know some other regions have seen that impact but we're still seeing the tonage come right in through landscapers and city collecton trucks," said Robertson.

So for now the city landfill is able to keep up their supply of compost.  The compost and mulch is free to San Diego residents.

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