City of Dayton Mailer Outlines Important Service Change: Leaf Collection Changing to ‘Bagged’ Pick Up Only

City of Dayton Mailer Outlines Important Service Change:

Leaf Collection Changing to ‘Bagged’ Pick Up Only

Release Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Contact: Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works, 333-4080


The City of Dayton is mailing information to all Dayton residents outlining the new leaf collection process that requires leaves to be bagged instead of raked to the curb.

During the next two weeks, city of Dayton residents should look for a bright orange flier in the mail that explains the new leaf collection process, provides the citywide leaf pick up schedule, and includes a coupon for free biodegradable leaf collection bags. The first leaf collection cycle begins October 25. (The leaf collection changes are also outlined on the City’s website at cityofdayton.org.)

City of Dayton crews have traditionally used specialized leaf collection equipment to pick up leaves raked loosely to the curb line. This practice has now been discontinued to help control costs, saving approximately $480,000 a year. Beginning with this Fall’s leaf collection season, residents must place leaves in 100 percent biodegradable bags (plastic not accepted) and set the bags at the curb line for pick up.

Similar to past years, each neighborhood will receive two leaf collection cycles. The leaf pick up cycles are based upon residents’ regular waste collection day as outlined below.

If your regular waste

is collected on…

…your first leaf collection week is…

…your second leaf collection week is…

MONDAY
Oct. 25 – Oct. 29

Nov. 29 – Dec. 3

TUESDAY
Nov. 1 – Nov. 5

Dec. 6 – Dec. 10

WEDNESDAY
Nov. 8 – Nov. 12

Dec. 13 – Dec. 17

THURSDAY
Nov. 15 – Nov. 19

Dec. 20 – Dec. 24

(Bagged leaves must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of the scheduled collection week. Bags will be collected one time during each scheduled week. The biodegradable leaf bags should be placed separately from normal waste collection/recycling containers.)

City officials stressed that any leaves raked to the curb will not be picked up.

“Any leaves that get raked to the curb this Fall are likely to end up blocking storm sewer catch basins, which could result in street flooding or other property damage,” said Public Works Director Fred Stovall. “We’re asking any residents who have a catch basin near their property to please clear away leaves and other debris on a regular basis.”

City crews will collect the bagged leaves for disposal at City-owned composting sites, not the landfill. To help encourage leaf bagging, the City’s orange mailer contains a coupon for 10 free

biodegradable bags. The biodegradable bags, which are ideal for composting, are also sold at most major retailers and hardware stores for about 40 cents a bag.

Instead of bagging, residents can choose to drop off their leaves at area composting sites. From October 25-December 31, residents can deposit leaves at the four composting locations below between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Leaves can be dropped at these sites without a paper bag, but they must be emptied from plastic bags. No grass, sticks, or other debris should be included.

· Lohrey Site – 2366 Glenarm Ave., behind the Lohrey Recreation Center at Belmont Maintenance building.

· Gettysburg Landfill – 1826 Gettysburg Ave., north of McGee Blvd.

· Wegerzyn Garden Center – 1303 E. Siebenthaler Ave., behind the Wegerzyn facility near the City of Dayton greenhouse.

· Wagoner Ford Landfill – 2670 Wagoner Ford Rd., across from Grafton Kennedy School.



Residents are also encouraged to use home composting as an alternative way to dispose of leaves. Composting is the natural process of decomposition and recycling organic material into a rich soil product known as compost. Creating a compost pile at home is a practical and convenient way to handle yard wastes, like fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and the remains of garden plants. Compost also improves soil and the plants growing in it. For more information about composting, visit the Montgomery County Solid Waste District website at www.mcswd.org.

Another way to avoid bagging leaves is to mow more frequently. Mowing, especially with mulching mowers, helps return natural nutrients back into the soil without harmful chemicals and cuts down on the need to bag leaves.

Citizens who have additional questions can call the City of Dayton Public Works Call Center at 333-4800.