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It turns out, raking leaves isn’t the best for the environment. In recent years, environmentalists have made a push for homeowners to leave autumn leaves in their yard rather than raking and removing them.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, during peak times like summer and fall, yard waste of municipal solid waste. Leaves and yard waste don’t properly decompose in landfills, as they are deprived of oxygen, and this leads to the release of methane into the atmosphere.

more potent than carbon dioxide, trapping more heat in the atmosphere, according to the EPA. In the U.S., which is one of the biggest contributors of methane, landfills are one of the greatest emitters, along with gas systems and livestock.

(​MORE: 6 Tips To Prepare Your Home For Fall)

Gas-powered leaf blowers also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and leaves on the ground , including vital pollinators such as moth and butterfly caterpillars. Animals such as turtles, toads and birds snack on fallen leaves, and when present in your yard, these creatures can also help reduce garden pests.

“Fallen leaves ,” says National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski. “Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down. Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own?”

If you don’t want to leave them be, consider composting your leaves or taking them to a local recycling center. You may also be able to find a composting service that can pick up your leaves or that has a nearby drop-off location.

Senior editor Nicole Bonaccorso works as weather.com's photo editor and writes about breaking news, travel, climate and more.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, .