Waste management - England Golf

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The Golf Course: Best practice guide to the management of selected waste streams Fine turf clippings The problem with fine turf clippings Collection and disposal of nutrient enriched greens, tees and fairway clippings has been an ever increasing problem within golf over the latter part of last century through a variety of issues including:– poor greens management techniques leading to lush growth a demand for wider fairways all year round golf a changing climate a demand for faster greens leading to a reduction in heights of cut a significant average increase in the size of tees An interesting method of grass clippings disposal! Traditionally, fine turf clippings have formed an important part of compost manufacture on the golf course and have been considered a valuable commodity. With the onset of today’s ‘disposable lifestyles’ and the ability to buy in ready-made compost, this practice largely ceased over the past 30 years. Since that time, the disposal of this previously useful asset has become a hindrance to the course manager. Indiscriminate dumping behind trees, over walls, within the rough, etc. has become commonplace. Not only is this bad practice leading to a nutrification of the rough, poisoning of the soil and unsightly and foul smelling heaps on the golf course but is also potentially illegal dependent on the individual circumstances. Even widespread dissemination into the rough will increase the nutrient status of the soil, thus leading to the sward becoming dominated by the broader-leaved and undesirable grass species which provide a poor golfing hazard and minimal ecological and aesthetic interest. The amounts of grass clippings produced on a golf course will be determined by:– soil nutrient status amounts of fertiliser applied local climate size of greens and tees As an approximation, for an 18 hole golf course the total clippings weight per annum will be in the range of 8 to 10 tonnes (equivalent to 16,000 to 20,000 litres) of fresh cuttings. The greatest production will be between April and September, with peaks at either end of this period. On a weekly basis the amounts produced average between 300 and 500 kg (equivalent to between 600 and 1,000 litres). As the grass decomposes, the volume of material is reduced substantially; due to loss of the liquid fraction which comprises 70 to 80% of the leaf material. This liquid contains a concentrated potassium solution and will kill turf by scorching. Moreover, if this liquid enters waterways it is highly toxic to aquatic life. WASTE MANAGEMENT Best Practice Approach for English and Welsh Golf Clubs 18
The Golf Course: Best practice guide to the management of selected waste streams Best Practice Guidelines The best method of ensuring best practice and legal compliance is to adopt suitable turf management methods and reduce the amount of clippings produced. Minimal water and nutrient input will create sustainable and high quality greens. Only on golf greens and tees is the collection of clippings likely to be essential. Clippings can be dispersed on fairways— dispersal over large areas can be achieved using a specialist clippings spreader. Localised applications can be useful for weak or drought-prone fairway areas. No more then 500 gm -2 (approx. 1 ml -2 ) should be applied at any one time. It is also advisable to avoid areas prone to worm casting. Legislation relating to fine turf clippings It should be noted that The Groundwater Regulations 1998 strictly prohibit the fresh-cut fine polluting of groundwater via organic leaching: “It is an turf clippings offence for anyone to cause or knowingly permit the contain a entry into surface waters or groundwater of solid waste significant matter, or of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter”. quantity of These regulations are largely associated with the plant pollution of drinking water and water quality. nutrient, at approximately When fully implemented The Water Framework 0.75% N, 0.5% Directive (WFD) will provide much tighter controls on K and 0.05% P. the pollution of streams, ditches, rivers and lakes, etc. and consider the ecological implications much more. Each area of England and Wales has been designated into a ‘River Basin District’ and each will have its own management plan. Therefore, the likelihood of an outright ban on the indiscriminate dumping of grass clippings will vary from region to region. See www.netregs.gov.uk or www.environment-agency.gov.uk for up to date information on the WFD. Consider the on-site composting of grass clippings (see page 20). Clippings can transported to municipal recycling facilities for co-composting. However, consider the environmental and cost implications of transporting large amounts of waste over distances. Ensure that collected clippings are stored on a hard standing or in compost bins where effluent can be collected. Clippings initially stored on soil or turf pile. Effluent absorbed by soil or turf which can subsequently be composted. Collected effluent contains a high concentration of potassium. It can be useful as a liquid K fertiliser for turf. Dilute 1:10 water prior to spraying at 50 ml m -2 . Amount of effluent collected from decomposing grass clippings approximately 20-30 ml per litre of fresh grass clippings. Potassium enriched liquor leaching from poorly managed fine turf clippings WASTE MANAGEMENT Best Practice Approach for English and Welsh Golf Clubs 19
Page 1 and 2: Waste Management Best Practice Appr
Page 3 and 4: Contents 4 11 17 26 39 Introduction
Page 5 and 6: Introduction On average, each
Page 7 and 8: Introduction Considering holistic w
Page 9 and 10: Introduction How big is your COW On
Page 11 and 12: The Legal Framework 12 13 Legislati
Page 13 and 14: The Legal Framework Current overvie
Page 15 and 16: The Legal Framework Additional cons
Page 17: The Golf Course: Best practice guid
Page 21 and 22: The Golf Course: Best practice guid
Page 27 and 28: The Maintenance Facility: Best prac
Page 39 and 40: Glossary 39 Glossary WASTE MANAGEME
Page 41 and 42: Glossary Commercial Waste Controlle
Page 43 and 44: Glossary LERAP Licensed Site Life C
Page 45: Glossary Special Waste Sustainable

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