> Subject:
> Re: FWD: Compost BMP Table of Contents/Words Speak Louder Than Actions
>
> I can barely stomach seeing leaves, grass clippings, and brush referred
> to as "yard waste" and "yard debris," but to see these fine compost and
> mulch feedstock materials referred to as "yard trash" still strikes me as
> utterly unbelievable. Especially from a group that is supposed to be
> advocating their recovery and recycling. Compost and mulch are very
> valuable, yet their value is automatically diminished by this unfortunate
> choice of words. Please explain how "yard trash" will encourage anybody
> to want to: compost or mulch at home; properly source separate organics
> for composting or mulching; support the siting of a clean,
> source-separated compost or mulch facility; avoid over-regulating the
> facility; or purchase compost or mulch. It is hard for new behaviors to
> take root when old (misleading and inaccurate) words tied to old
> behaviors are still used. I have never seen a competing product to
> compost, mulch, or another recycled product successfully marketed that
> also claimed its ingredients are made from "trash," "waste," or similar
> negative-image making materials. "Yard trimmings" works a lot better and
> does not send negative messages. For further information on vocabulary
> issues, please read my editorials in BioCycle (April 1993 and August
> 1994), Resource Recycling (May 1995), and the Leaf Mulch Network (July
> 1995). Thank you.
>
I feel your pain, but you know many decaffinated brands taste
almost as good. Lots of duitiful composters refer to the stuff as
"yard waste" and don't even put it out for the sanitary engineers
to remove. I don't think it makes much difference what its called,
to coin a phrase "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
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Jonathan Haskett
jhaskett@asrr.arsusda.gov
"The fault dear Brutus lies not within our stars but in ourselves."