Leave the streets clean

As beautiful as fall leaves are, they can create a lot of extra yard work. One simple way to reduce your workload is by using a mulching lawn mower. Mulching leaves in your yard is less time-consuming than raking, and the shredded leaves act as a natural fertilizer for your lawn.

While caring for your yard, please also take a moment to sweep or rake leaves, grass clippings, and branches out of the street in front of your home.

If left in the street, leaves can:

• Clog storm drains, causing localized flooding
• Wash into lakes, rivers, and streams, where they release phosphorus – a nutrient that fuels summer algae blooms

Proper disposal options

• Mulch in your yard for natural fertilizer
• Compost at home or bring to a community compost site
• Bag for curbside pick-up (if your waste hauler offers this service)
• Do not place leaves or yard waste in your regular garbage
• Never dump leaves in wetlands or buffer areas – it’s illegal

Help protect our waterways and community by keeping leaves and yard waste out of the streets and storm drains this fall.