Summer time is almost over. With the colder temperatures also comes the annual back breaker: raking leaves. Think of how many leaves one little tree can produce. And usually if you have one tree, during the fall event it seems as if you have your own forest.

More than just being a back breaker, these leaves and other yard wastes also represent a threat to our diminishing landfill space. Nationally, landfill space is fading and we must be careful to use whatever space is left wisely. That means not putting in things such as leaves and garden debris.

Yard waste accounts for a whopping 18% of the waste generated by households. The number is seasonal: in the fall it climbs to 60-80% People complain what can I do to preserve the environment? Composting is one thing you can do.

Yard waste is recyclable and easy to recycle. When you allow it to decay naturally, it forms humus. With a little intervention, the process is accelerated and then the product is called compost. Did you know there is a difference between compost and humus? Mixed with soil, this matter can improve the soil texture and nutrient enrich it.

In many municipalities through out the United States, leaf waste must be separated from other residential waste. Fortunately, many communities now sponsor leaf composting program. And home composting is becoming increasingly popular.

It takes little room to yield a lot of quality compost. Fearing that that lady on television will label garbage bags a good thing, I hesitate to report that yardless people (they smile a lot in the fall) can even compost in garbage bags. And since vegetable scraps can also be used, composting goes far in saving that landfill space.

So this fall, put on the Ben Gay and rake, rake, rake. But complete the job the green way, by composting.

The information provided in this column is written by Stuart Lieberman,a practicing environmental attorney, and is for general information purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be used in place of legal advice.

Stuart Lieberman, Esq., and IRED.Com, Inc., will not accept any responsibilty for any reliance on the information in this column or any damages whatsoever resulting from reading this column.