While you may have rescued your lawn with fertilizer during the summer, that bag of unused lawn fertilizer now needs disposing of. Fertilizer cannot be simply tossed in with the rest of your garbage because it is considered hazardous waste. 

Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are fantastic for encouraging grass to grow yet are deadly when consumed by fish and other animals. Those chemicals can also contaminate local water supplies, posing a risk to the water company and your neighbors. 

The act of disposal down the sink or into a storm drain is also illegal so that you could get into trouble.

We should all be doing more recycling and how we dispose of fertilizer is very important. Perhaps your neighbors can take it, or maybe the local garden supply store you bought it from has a proper disposal option.

Some local lawn care services can also dispose of your unused lawn fertilizer, so it does not sit in your backyard going to waste.

Give It To Your Neighbors

Perhaps the easiest way to dispose of your unused lawn fertilizer is to donate it to a worthy cause. Find a neighbor who needs it. You could post a listing on a neighborhood website such as Nextdoor or put up a few flyers to let the locals know of your excess lawn fertilizer. 

Not only will you be doing a good deed in recycling the unused lawn fertilizer, but your neighbors also won’t have to buy any for themselves. Plus, it should save on transport costs if you only have to take the bag a short distance down your street.

Check Your Local Garden Supply Store

If you want to recycle your unused lawn fertilizer, another great option is to see if your local garden supply store can take it. It certainly helps if you have a good relationship with your local store as they may even offer you store credit as a thank you. 

To return it properly, you should keep the lawn fertilizer in its original bag. If any moisture has gotten into the bag, it may be harder for your local garden supply store to return the fertilizer. A good way of ensuring that the fertilizer remains in good condition is to seal the bag properly.

An Annual Household Hazardous Waste Event

Several local communities host annual household hazardous waste events. This is a day once, or maybe twice a year when your city or local waste disposal company will take your hazardous waste. This should include unused lawn fertilizer yet it is always best to check with your local authority to find more information.

If there is an annual household hazardous waste event in your neighborhood, be careful when transporting your unused lawn fertilizer. Ensure that the fertilizer bag is securely sealed as fumes can be harmful when inhaled. 

You also want to make sure that the bag does not leak when you are on the move. To be extra careful, put the fertilizer bag inside a heavy-duty trash bag and tie it closed before transporting it.

Waste Management offered a household hazardous waste event last year here in Reno. Keep an eye our for a similar event in 2022.

Contact Your Local Hazardous Waste Service

Should you fail to find a local taker for your unused lawn fertilizer, contact a local hazardous waste service to take it. Perform a quick web search and find out if any local services are available.

Your friends or neighbors may already know of a service they can recommend. Once you have contacted the local service, they should be able to advise you on the best practice for packaging your unused lawn fertilizer. Have it readied and waiting, so the company simply has to arrive and pick it up. 

Contact Your Local Lawn Care Service

Your local lawn care service is another excellent option for getting rid of unused fertilizer.  

Cory’s Lawn Service has provided lawn care to Northern Nevada residents for over 15 years! Whether for general cleanup, weekly mowing, aeration, or fertilizer and weed control, Cory’s Lawn Service can advise you on how to best care for your lawn and get rid of hazardous yard materials. Give us a call.

Check The Bag

You may be surprised at how helpful some lawn fertilizer companies can be. Check the bag and see if they have any phone numbers you can contact for advice. There may also be instructions for how best to store and dispose of that specific lawn fertilizer.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with any hazardous waste needs to be carefully considered. Lawn fertilizer will contain several chemicals that encourage grass to grow but will be harmful to local wildlife and contaminate a local water supply. High levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and pesticides require proper disposal to prevent harm to the environment.

There are numerous services that can take your unused lawn fertilizer yet giving it away to someone in your community is likely the best option. Also, don’t forget that you can always run a quick google search to see if any services pop up in your local area. There may be a disposal service that is local to your area.

If the fertilizer works on your lawn, there should not be a marked difference with the soil of a household only a short distance away. Not only will the surplus material be taken off your hands, you will also be fostering good relations with your neighbors.