It’s that time of year again – colder nights, shorter days and plenty of leaves on the ground. The red and gold leaves look nice in the trees, but when they fall onto our streets’ they must be cleared to protect the health of our local waterways and prevent street flooding.  

Leaves left on the street can clog stormwater drains that could result in roadway flooding, or rainwater could carry the leaves and other pollutants into the storm drain that flows directly to our local creeks. Leaves, debris, and other common household materials that enter the storm drain can potentially be harmful to wildlife and impair the water quality. 

We all need to do our part to keep leaves and debris off the streets, to keep our creeks, streams, and storm drains flowing clear. Please note, it is the property owner's responsibility to remove branches, leaves, and other debris from the street or right of way fronting their property per city code 13.32.010. 

After you have collected your leaves, keep the leaves out of your trash and local landfills by home composting, mulching, or placing them in your green organics bin where they will be diverted away from the landfill to nearby composting facilities.  

What can you do with your leaves? 

1. Create Mulch 

Use chopped leaves as winter mulch for landscaping and gardens. 

2. Use Leaves for Compost 

Shredded leaves are a great supplement to your compost pile. Combining the leaves with grass, twigs and soil creates a nutrient-rich mixture for gardens and plants in the months to come. 

3. Channel Your Artistic Side 

Bring out your artistic side and have fun with fallen leaves for your next craft project.  Get creative with your holiday decor, leaves can be repurposed into wreaths, centerpieces and who knows what else if you catch the creative bug. 

4. Place Leaves in Your Green Bin 

Leaves and other organic materials can be placed in your green bin where they will be diverted away from the landfill and into a compost facility.