The Scotts Miracle Gro Company announced today it is removing phosphorous from most of its lawn fertilizers by the end of 2012. The company has been reducing use of the compound in fertilizers since 2006. Excess phosphorous is considered bad for the environment because the unabsorbed amounts can run off into streams, waterways and eventually the ocean. This excess runoff is believed to contribute to the overgrowth of undesirable algaes.

The company’s scientists have come to the conclusion that lawns can stay healthy perfectly well without including phosphorous in fertilizers. However, phosphorous will remain a part of Scotts’ starter fertilizers, because it is considered essential to root development in new lawns. The company’s organic lawn fertilizers will also continue to include phosphorous, because it is naturally occurring in the ingredients, the company said.