Summer time is over. And in most parts of the Country, the arrival of fall brings with it the annual beloved ritual of raking the leaves. It is amazing 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, combined with yard wastes and many kitchen scraps, represent a threat to our diminishing landfill space. Nationally, landfill space is fading and we must use whatever space is left wisely. That means not dumping leaves, garden debris, and most kitchen scraps.

According to some estimates, yard waste accounts for a whopping 18% of the waste generated by households. The number is seasonal: it can climb to 60-80%. People ask "what can I do to preserve the environment?" Composting is one thing everyone can do.

Yard and kitchen scrap 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."

Mixed with soil, this matter can improve soil texture and nutrient enrich it. One of the biggest benefits of home composting is that you get to reap the benefit of your own composting efforts. Compost enriched soil will make your garden greener, your vegetables bigger, and your lawn heathier.

To preserve dwindling landfill space, many municipalities through out the United States require that leaf waste be separated from other residential waste. Fortunately, many communities now sponsor leaf composting programs. And home composting is becoming increasingly popular.

Florida has been a leader in composting education. In response to its dwindling landfill space problem, Florida enacted solid waste laws requiring every County to reduce the amount of disposed solid waste. By 1994, each County was required to meet a 30 per cent reduction goal.

One of the simplest ways to meet this goal is to encourage homeowners to recycle, rather than throw out. Yard composting has been a vital part of this solution. And the University of Florida has been the self appointed, state-wide compost educator.

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has been studying yard composting since the early 1990s. In 1991, it published a Fact Sheet entitled "Construction of Home Compost Units." The paper encourages home owners to compost vegetable scraps and yard waste rather than throwing them out.

Currently, the Institute is working with the Florida Center for Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management Advisory Board on a project entitled "Compost Utilization in Florida." The Institute will evaluate the re-use of compost in various settings, including on a golf course and on a blueberry field. At the conclusion of the study, it will publish a brochure which will promote composting to both homeowners and end users.

Other States and local governments are also becoming compost preachers and educators. For example, the University of California in San Bernardino runs a program aimed at assisting homeowners who wish to develop the "optimum composting program." As part of this program, staff will actually visit a participant's home and determine his/her needs.

In Rhode Island, backyard composting is promoted through newspaper and radio advertisements, which provide composting information and phone numbers to call. Also, the State has developed how-to videos on these topics which are available in libraries and video outlets.

In Texas, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) offers brochures and videos on home composting. Texas A&M also offers Texans a composting manual.

In many States, composting programs are found at the County and municipal levels. Interested composters should contact their State, County and local environmental agencies and health officers to determine what kind of assistance may be available. Often, some kind of hands on program is available.

So hats off to the University of Florida for keeping its eye on the environmentally important composting initiative. And hats off to all of the other government agencies nationwide that recognize the importance of home composting.

Now that the leaves are falling in many parts of the U.S., this important message: Rake, Rake, Rake. Then, complete the job the "green" way, by composting all of your yard waste and vegetable table scraps.

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.