Morris County MUA Delivers High-Quality Compost and Mulch

Published on March 13, 2019

Delivery for Morris County Residents and Small Businesses

The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority recycles vegetative waste materials from around Morris County and produces high-quality landscaping products for sale to the public. Starting mid-March and running through late Fall, the MCMUA delivers screened compost and double-ground wood mulch. To make an appointment, call 973-285-8383 or 973-285-8389.

Screened compost:

• 5-cubic yards - $135.00
• 10-cubic yards - $200.00

Double-ground wood mulch:

• 5-cubic yards - $130.00
• 10-cubic yards - $190.00

How Much?

• 1 cubic yard of mulch/compost is approximately 13 and a half bags of material at 2 cubic feet per bag.
• 1 cubic yard of material covers 100 square feet, three inches deep.
• 1 half truck load of material is approximately 5 cubic yards.
• 1 full truck load of material is approximately 10 cubic yards.

To Mulch or Not to Mulch?

When applied properly, mulch adds value to your landscape. It beautifies landscapes, retains moisture, reduces weeds, controls erosion, and insulates soil.

The most basic benefit of using mulch is moisture retention, as yields are directly associated to the amount of water in the soil. A simple layer of mulch can reduce evaporation and retain up to 80 percent of added moisture to the soil. As a result, keeping the top layer of soil protected from direct heat will reduce your water consumption.

Proper mulch placement will block light that weed seeds need to germinate and impair the growth of weeds that do sprout, reducing the need for inorganic pesticides. As mulch breaks down naturally it delivers nutrients to the soil throughout the course of the season reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. By providing insulation, roots keep cooler in the summer and are protected from freezing in the winter.

It is recommended to use approximately 3 inches deep of mulch at the beginning of the season and then supplement your beds throughout the season as the mulch breaks down. Keeping your mulch at proper depth is important as too little mulch will not be beneficial, but too much can harm your plants and deprive the soil of oxygen.

DID YOU KNOW? Piling mulch directly against stems and trunks can actually cause rot and provide a shelter for pests to feed on. In addition, using too much mulch will actually encourage the root growth in the mulch and not in the ground. Doing so will make the root system susceptible to environmental factors such as drought and cold.

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Considering Compost?

Compost is not a mulch, but rather an amendment added to the soil to enrich its quality. The benefits of compost are abundant for healthier plants. Utilizing its valuable qualities can not only help soil to retain its moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests but also slowly add nutrients to feed plants and improve the soils structure.

Compost can be used in a few different ways at different times of the year:

• As a fertilizer for garden beds, in early Spring and late Fall and/or a side dressing along rows and plants in late Spring and early Summer.
• For new lawns, a 2 to 3-inch layer of compost is best when seeding. For existing lawns, top dressing with a ½ inch layer will maintain the soil quality for a healthy lawn. The best time for application is early Spring and early Fall.
• In landscaping beds as a top dressing and planting holes, adding compost to the planting bed planting hole is a particularly valuable food for plants.

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When scheduling a delivery:

• Materials are delivered during operating hours Monday through Friday.
• Deliveries are limited to paved surfaces.
• We will only dump on the driveway in a spot where we can raise the body of the truck. The dumping area must be clear of any overhead obstructions such as trees and wires.
• All deliveries are at the discretion of the delivery driver.
• Marking the spot with a marker such as a tarp or overturned garbage can, is required.
• Material(s) purchased can be paid for by a personal check made out to the MCMUA and left in an envelope taped to the mail box or front entrance.
• Delivery dates will be confirmed via telephone the business day before your delivery.
• Canceled appointments must be made via telephone with an MUA representative at least 48 hours prior to delivery.
• All sales are final; no mulch can be picked up by the MCMUA once it is dumped.

The MCMUA's Solid Waste Division implements recycling and solid and hazardous waste programs throughout Morris County. Visit www.mcmua.com to learn more about composting and other MUA programs.