City of Dayton Prepares to Begin Bagged Leaf Collection Cycle

· Leaves Must Be Bagged at the Curb; Loose Leaves Will Not Be Accepted

· Schedule Expands to 4 Pick Ups Corresponding to Recycling Dates

· Informational Flier Now Being Mailed to Dayton Residents

· Residents Can Also Find Their Leaf Collection Schedule Online



Release Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011

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



The City of Dayton has kicked off its Fall bagged leaf collection process by mailing personalized collection schedules to all affected Dayton residents.



The bagged leaf collection process has been expanded this year from two to four pick ups during the eight-week collection period, beginning October 31. Citizens are reminded that as a result of operational changes made last year, leaves must be bagged in biodegradable paper bags and placed at the curb; leaves raked loosely to the street will not be collected.



During the next week, city of Dayton residents should look for a green and white flier in the mail that outlines the bagged leaf collection process, provides leaf pick up schedules for individual neighborhoods, and includes a coupon for 10 free biodegradable leaf collection bags.



In addition to using the mailer, residents can also identify their four leaf collection dates by visiting www.daytonohio.gov/leafcollection, clicking on the interactive map, and typing in their home address.



The City of Dayton converted to the bagged leaf collection process last year. Street Maintenance crews had traditionally used specialized leaf collection equipment to pick up leaves raked loosely to the curb line. However, that practice was discontinued to help control costs, saving the City approximately $480,000 a year.



The new process requires residents to place leaves in 100 percent biodegradable paper bags (plastic not accepted) and to set the bags at the curb line for pick up, even if their normal waste collection is in an alley. Bagged leaves must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. The biodegradable leaf bags should be placed separately from normal waste collection/recycling containers.



City officials stressed that any leaves raked to the curb, and not placed in bags, will not be accepted.



Fred Stovall, Director of Public Works for the City of Dayton, said residents should think of recycling when they think of leaf collection.

“We tried to make the leaf collection schedule easy for residents to remember this year by tying it to their bi-weekly recycling dates,” he said. “When we begin our leaf collection process October 31, residents just have to remember to place their bagged leaves at the curb on the same day their recycling is collected. And since we collect recycling every other week, they’ll have four opportunities to have their leaves picked up, instead of two as in past years.”



To help encourage leaf bagging, the City’s 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.



The City disposes of the bagged leaves at City-owned composting sites, not the sanitary landfill.



As an alternative to bagging, residents can choose to drop off their leaves at area composting sites. From October 24-December 11, residents can deposit leaves at the three composting locations below between 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, Noon-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, or 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday. 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.

· 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.