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Pollution Prevention for Landscape Maintenance

Outdoor areas have a large geographic impact and present unique challenges for environmental compliance. These areas include:

  • Grounds
  • Athletic Fields
  • Outdoor Recreation Areas
  • Golf Courses
  • Contracted Landscaping

References

Best Practices for Landscape Maintenance

Grass clippings

  • Grass clippings must be contained and composted, and must not be piled in stream buffers (50 feet from a stream) or near storm drains.
  • Lawn mowers and other field maintenance equipment must be rinsed off only in areas with sanitary sewer wash pits.

Leaves and mulch

  • Keep leaves and mulch out of storm drains.

Ground disturbance from small construction projects

Pesticide and fertilizer application

  • Persons using these chemicals must first receive appropriate state and local licenses where applicable.
  • Apply these materials only to the surface being treated; chemicals that accidentally get onto sidewalks or roads will wash into storm drains.
  • Do not use pesticides and fertilizer within 20 feet of storm drains or streams.
  • Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers just before a rain event.

Fertilizer applicators training (Free!)

  • Anyone who applies fertilizer on campus must complete Nutrient Management Training offered by the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and the NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources. Alternatively, EHS will provide this training upon request.

Maintenance chemicals

  • Use sanitary sewer wash pits for cleaning of equipment.
  • Contact EHS for waste pickup of hazardous materials.

Stormwater awareness training (Free!)

  • Contact EHS to schedule stormwater pollution awareness training that is customized for your operations. The training is provided free of charge.

Additional Best Practices for Athletic and Recreational Complexes

Field Paint

  • Use sanitary sewer wash pits for cleaning of field paint equipment.
  • Contact EHS for waste pickup of hazardous materials.

Concession booths

  • Food and beverage waste may not be discharged to the storm drains.
  • Booths with rooftop grease vents allow tiny grease particles to coat the roofs, so refer to the pressure washing guidelines for specifics on collecting runoff from these buildings.

Stadium and building housekeeping operations (inside and outside)