Environmental Tip of the Month
Brought to you by the Springfield Public Works Environmental Services Division

Leaves, Leaves: Tis the Season to Rake the Leaves

As the days grow shorter, the air feels brisk and the landscape begins to turn brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow, it’s time once again to decide what to do with this season’s crop of falling leaves.  It’s also the time when City crews hit the streets in high gear to avert the problems leaves and other debris can cause in our streets, stormwater systems and open waterways when the wind and rain come to town.  Springfield Public Works’commitments to maintain City infrastructure, protect property from flooding and storm damage, and improve water quality in our rivers and streams means that we take leaf management seriously.   

Leaves left to decay in the streets and gutters make street sweeping and catch basin cleaning a challenge, they clog storm drains, and they cause flooding in local neighborhoods.  When they make it to open waterways, leaves cause water quality problems.  So please help your local Public Works department serve our community and the environment by getting out the rake and going to town on those leaves.

Mulch or Compost to help your garden grow!
Add leaves to your compost pile.  Leaves and other high carbon material should make up ¾ of your compost pile.  Or, shred them for mulch to protect plants from winter frost.

Or………rake them up for curbside pickup!  In a partnership with Sanipac, the City of Springfield is once again collecting bagged leaves which are placed curbside.

If you live in Springfield (within city limits)   

• Place the bags at the curbside, not in the street, the Monday of the week your neighborhood is scheduled for pickup.
• Place leaves in medium sized garbage bags (be sure that the bags contain ONLY leaves)
• We encourage all residents to mulch and compost their leaves as an alternative to the pickup program.

Please do not blow your leaves into the street. This creates a hazard for motorists and bicyclists as well as increasing the likelihood of localized flooding during times of heavy rains.

For more information on leaf pick up please call 726-3637

If you live in Eugene  

• Be sure leaves don’t block sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or traffic lanes.
• Place leaves in a row at least a foot away from the curb so they don’t block gutters and clog storm drains.
• Pile leaves at least 15 feet away from parked vehicles.
• Keep leaf piles free of sticks, pine needles and other yard debris. (Place organic non-leaf materials in your yard debris container.)

Questions about leaf pick-up in Eugene? Call 682-8586

If you live in Lane County (unincorporated Santa Clara, River Road or Springfield)

• Lane County provides free leaf-pickup for streets with curbs and gutters.
• Pile leaves in the street away from parked cars, storm drains, curbs, and bike lanes (do not bag leaves).
• Be sure the pile contains leaves only.
• Prepare leaves less than a week before the scheduled pickup.

Questions about leaf-pickup in Lane County? Call 682-8565