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Lawn clippings are strictly considered waste as they are ‘materials that are no longer necessary for human life or business activities’, and when generated on a golf course, they are considered business waste (Article 2, Paragraph 1 and Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Waste Management Act).

Golf courses, which are business waste generators, are not only required to properly dispose of waste, but are also obligated to minimize the generation of business waste through recycling and other methods (Article 17 of the Act).

When recycling, care must be taken to avoid causing harm to the living environment, such as by producing foul odors or leachate (Article 13-2 of the Act).

How to handle grass clippings

1) Waste disposal business consignment processing (Article 18 of the Act): Processing is consigned to a person who has obtained a waste disposal business license in accordance with Article 25, Paragraph 3 of the Act. Although processing costs are incurred, this is the easiest processing method. Many golf courses rely on consignment processing.

2) Recycling in general farms (Article 46 of the Act): Grass clippings may be taken to general farms for recycling as compost, etc., and recycled there. However, in this case, the farm wishing to recycle must report recycling in accordance with the law.

3) Self-recycling through composting by installing a composting facility (Enforcement Rule Article 10, Enforcement Decree Article 5): After composting through a drying-based composting facility, reuse it as compost within the golf course. The composting facility must have a floor that is paved to prevent water from seeping in, a roof, and walls, similar to a temporary storage warehouse, and must be equipped with tools and facilities that can mix and ferment waste.
Although it is a desirable treatment method in terms of recycling resources, it incurs costs for installing composting facilities, and skilled know-how is required to properly carry out the composting process.
Some golf courses even use indigenous microorganisms to improve the quality of composting.

4) Recycling as green manure or weed suppression covering material (Enforcement Regulation Article 10): It may be used as green manure or weed suppression covering material under trees, etc. on business premises, as long as it does not produce foul odor or leachate.
However, a site suitable for using manure or covering material is required, and there are limits to the possible period and amount of treatment depending on weather conditions.

5) Temporary storage warehouse: Before processing grass clippings in the above manner, it is necessary to collect the clippings after mowing and temporarily store them, so a temporary storage warehouse must be provided.
At this time, the storage period cannot exceed 90 days. However, this is an exception when the storage amount is less than 5 tons.