On September 15, 2015, StopWaste provided technical assistance to the California Department of General Services during a demonstration of the sheet mulch technique for quick, easy lawn removal.  Over 1,000 square feet of lawn were converted to a new drought-tolerant landscape that will save over 59,000 gallons of water per year.

This technique also helps sequester carbon by incorporating compost into the soil, encouraging vigorous plant growth through healthy soil conditions, and by avoiding carbon released by digging up the grass, roots & soil and landfilling or the use of chemical herbicides.  By using the sheet mulch process, this one lawn conversion alone will help sequester over one ton of carbon.

Plantings with California native plants will wait till spring when hopefully, the water supply is replenished.  The plant pallet will be comprised of plants adapted to Sacramento’s summer dry climate that will need little irrigated water once established.  The California Native Plant Society is providing guidance on the garden design & construction.

View the Video Press Release from the event below, and check out our sheet mulch resources for residential and commercial/civic projects.