Spring is Nearly Here!

March 5, 2026

by Donna Hemann

Spring arrives March 20th and now is a perfect time for UH residents to get involved in creating an even healthier, more beautiful neighborhood!

Some ways to get involved:

Yard Ethic Certification

The yard ethic program involves practices that create wildlife habitat, conserve water, reduce environmental damage and strengthen yard health. Choosing from a list of practices to implement in your own yard, you can earn a City awarded gold or silver yard certification. To earn a gold designation, five items must be chosen from the checklist below; to earn a silver designation, you must select three actions from the list.
The list includes:

1. Use native plants to landscape at least 200 square feet of yard, including a minimum of eight species, with at least four that are beneficial to pollinators;
2. Lawn Steward free soil test (required): receive nutrient management plan and strive for at least 5% organic matter; 
3. Compost organic waste using a bin or pile, using proper composting practices; 
4. Rain Garden or bioswale: collect runoff from impervious surfaces and include native plants; 
5. Tree canopy coverage, non-invasive species, of 25% percent of yard with existing trees (based on their mature size) or by planting fruit/nut trees using right tree/right place principles; 
6. Rainwater harvesting: install a rain barrel or large rainwater harvesting system with a minimum 100 gallon capacity; 
7. Share your yard ethic story (must be at least 150 words with two photos) and refer a neighbor (who must obtain certification). 

To apply for certification, go to https://yardethic.com. For more information, email Clarrisa Hatley at chatley@springfieldmo.gov.

Recycle

In Springfield, all waste haulers are required to offer curbside recycling. Generally accepted items are rinsed #1 & #2 plastic bottles/jugs, aluminum/tin cans, flattened cardboard (uncoated) and newspaper. Do not include plastic bags, Styrofoam, ceramics, Pyrex, glass, hoses, or hazardous waste materials. Check with your provider to confirm practices.

City Recycling: Available 8-5 Tuesday-Saturday. Free, with suggested honor system fees and donations encouraged.

Yardwaste Recycling Centers: accepts household recyclables and yard waste. Home items accepted are aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, plastic, tin. Outdoor organics: leaves, brush, sticks, large limbs, and organic holiday decor.
Locations: Lone Pine Avenue Recycling Center, (3020 S. Lone Pine Ave), Franklin Avenue Recycling Center (731 N. Franklin). Mattresses can be dropped off at these locations as well as Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill (3545 W. Farm Rd. 34, Willard).

Household Chemical Collection Center: Accepts hazardous, toxic, and flammable items such as automotive products, pesticides, household cleaners, aerosol cans, arts and crafts materials, and home improvement products like oil based paints and stains.
Location: 1226 W. Nichols Street. By appointment only. 417.864.2000.

In case you're curious....
If you're curious about where the recycled materials go:

• Mixed paper goes to New American Recycling, here in Springfield.
• Cardboard goes here too, is processed and marketed to companies that turn it into new cardboard products or boxboard materials (such as cereal boxes) or similar packing items.
• Plastics go to New American as well for processing and eventually become carpet, clothing, composite decking and other building and consumer products. 
• Tin and steel materials go to Commercial Metals in Springfield for processing and will become new aluminum and steel products. 
• Glass heads to Kansas City's Ripple Glass, is processed there and sold to Owens-Corning where it becomes "pink panther" fiberglass insulation. Some glass is recycled into new bottle beverage containers.

Hope you have a joyous spring and feel inspired to be part of preserving and growing University Heights as a vibrant green corridor.