[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: A Leafy Problem! What to do with all of those leaves ...

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Columbia Public Works
(573) 874-7250

A Leafy Problem! What to do with all of those leaves ...

COLUMBIA, MO (October 29, 2013) - It's been a beautiful fall with much more color in the trees then last year. With shorter days and rainy conditions this week the leaves are falling from the trees quickly; so now what do you do with them? Like most decisions, there are good ways and bad ways to take care of leaves in your yard.  

Good things to do with leaves: 


*Rake and place the leaves in bags and set them out for your normal curbside collection. The addition of organic matter to the landfill helps produce methane gas which is recovered and then used to produce energy in the form of electricity which is used locally.

*Just mow them! Remove the grass catcher from your mower and let the chopped-up leaves stay on your lawn as organic matter -- a winter mulch that will improve the soil and attract earthworms.

*Take them to the city mulch site. Yard waste may be dropped off at the Capen Park Drive or Parkside Drive mulch sites.

*Instead of carting leaves to the curb, turn them into compost. Leaf compost can be a great soil conditioner. For more information on composting visit the city website, or sign up for a free composting workshop to learn more. 


Bad things to do with leaves: 


*Sweeping or blowing leaves into the street. This can damage the street sweepers, which are not designed to handle large amounts of leaves.

*Large quantities of leaves placed in the storm drain system degrade the water quality of our local creeks and streams.

*Large quantities of leaves in the storm drains can clog them and cause local flooding of streets and waterways.          


          So let the leaves which fall be used for good things! Hey, make a big pile and jump in them (but be careful not to hurt yourself and don't have a lolipop in your hand!) For more information on storm drains and tips for yard waste, contact the Public Works Department at (573) 874-7250 or go online to www.GoColumbiaMo.com. You can also watch our video "A Leafy Problem" at http://gocolumbiamo.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=520



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