[unregistereddev]

Raking them into a pile, shredding them, and putting the mulch in a compost pile allows me to move the nitrogen into my garden. Maybe that starves part of my lawn, but the grass seems to be doing just fine - and moving natural nutrients to my garden helps me avoid using chemical fertilizers when growing food.

I am agreeing with you, for the record. It seems silly to throw leaves in a landfill.

[dylan604]

I do a combination of both. I have a compost pile that is fed by collecting the clippings from my mulching mower from half of my mow-able area, and then the rest is just mulched and left in place. Essentially, anything to not rake! The only time I rake/bag is from the leaves that collect along the curb. I'm on a cul-de-sac, so I get a lot collecting there. I don't use these for compost from all of the liquids from parked cars, trash, and other gross stuff that I wouldn't want in my garden.