Green Waste From Los Angeles
Re “Neighbor’s Grass Waste Not Always Greener,” June 26.
It is unfortunate that this article implied that vast quantities of contaminated trash are flooding into Ventura County from Los Angeles, turning our farms into junkyards.
As a Ventura County farmer, I have received a considerable quantity of green waste from the city of Los Angeles for my avocado and citrus farms. I have found their material to be free of the contaminants mentioned; never have I seen even a scrap of plastic, metal, etc.
The assertions by Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Jim Fullmer that “none of the waste he sees coming from Los Angeles rubbish services is appropriate for agriculture” is regrettable, because the personnel involved in L.A.’s recycling efforts make every effort to produce extremely clean material.
Green waste recycling programs benefit cities, farmers and consumers. Green waste allows weed control without the need to spray herbicides and provides nutrients without the need for fertilizer applications that may contaminate ground water. Research indicates that the slow decomposition of green waste in the fields is particularly effective against root rot in avocados.
The article fails to present a balanced point of view.
ED JEFFERSON
Somis
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