Invasive Plants (Aquatic and Upland)

Invasive aquatic and upland plants cause devastating effects to the natural environment because they compete with native organisms for limited resources and habitat. Invasive plants reduce biodiversity, alter habitats, and cause extinctions of native plants and animals. 

Handling invasive plants

In New Hampshire, invasive plants are considered solid waste, not leaf and yard waste.

Management options:

• Trash – put invasive plants in a closed trash bag before disposing.
• Commercial composting – with restrictions. First, check with the business to get permission.
• Other options may be successful but depend on the plant species – bagging (solarization), tarping and drying, chipping, drowning.

Do not add invasive plants to leaf and yard waste or burn piles. This increases the chance of spreading the plants.

Resources to identify and manage invasive plants:

• New Hampshire Comprehensive Invasive Plant List.
• NHDES Invasive Aquatic Species Program.
• University of New Hampshire (UNH) Invasive Species Resources.
• UNH Methods for Disposing of Invasive Plants.
• NHDES Solid Waste Operator Training – Watch: Invasive Upland Plant Management.

Who to contact

For upland invasive plants, contact the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food at (603) 271-3488.

For aquatic invasive plants, contact the NHDES Watershed Management Bureau Biology Section (603) 271-2248.

Visit our Managing My Waste page to learn about other types of household waste.