I’ve been clearing the neighbor’s iceplant from a slope in my yard (it crept into my yard through the fence) for several months, just filling my green waste bin with however much will fit each week. This week I had a noticed taped to my bin indicating that I’m not supposed to put iceplant (nor palm fronds) in the bin and should instead send the iceplant to the landfill in the regular trash bin.
So what’s the problem with iceplant (and palm fronds)? Does it make bad mulch? Too much water? If I pull it and let it dry out before binning it, would it be ok?
Every waste collection agency has different standards for things like recycling and green waste processing. I don’t have any idea why they have these restrictions, but they do, so you should probably ask them.
Is it classed as an invasive species in your area?
Googling, one page says, “The coarse leaves of palm trees can take years to break down, making the plant difficult to compost. Many green-waste facilities won’t accept the leaves because the wiry fibers get caught in machinery.” As for iceplants, other sites say that they retain moisture, so they take a long time to break down and that you should let them dry out before trying to compost them.
It should be, everywhere outside South Africa. Assuming by “iceplant” is meant Carpobrotus edulis. Stuff is an invasion champion, at least anywhere with a Med climate.
But if it can’t go into the recycling because it’s an invasive, then I should think it shouldn’t be OK to send to ordinary landfills, either.
Yep, Carpobrotus edulis is what I am referring to. California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife classifies it as “invasive to avoid” and discourage planting any new ones, but it’s already everywhere in coastal California. Caltrans used to plant it intentionally along freeway embankments as ground cover to control erosion. They only stopped when they realized it made erosion worse, because the weight of the retained water combined with the shallow roots makes it slide down slopes.
After more investigation, I’m leaning towards it messes up their mulching equipment. Some other nearby cities do accept iceplant. Other items on my city’s “Do not Include” list are
- Branches bigger than 4" (inches) in diameter or 4’ (feet) in length
- Large ice plant clusters and palm fronds/branches
- Food waste or any kind, animal waste or any other refuse
- Lumber or construction material of any kind
- Flocked trees
All of which point to causing problems being ground up.
They specify “large clusters” which implies to me if I let them dry out and cut them up, it should still be ok. Doesn’t appear to be related to invasiveness, as they don’t call out any other plant species.
There’s multiple species and genera, all from Southern Africa I think. That one is particularly invasive because it fills large areas and is a pain to remove. The one in my yard is I think Delosperma cooperi, which doesn’t spread much and tolerates the cold. And I just learned it can get you high? Hmm, did not know that, maybe the previous owners just thought it had pretty flowers.
It’s similar to the South American ayahuasca, but it will fuck you up from all the other nasty stuff in there if not prepared right.