As the rain picks up this autumn, the City asks everyone to help keep our community healthy and livable by either keeping leaves on your property or responsibly collecting and disposing of them. Please avoid raking or blowing fall leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris onto streets, as Troutdale does not have a leaf collection program and these items cannot be removed effectively by street sweepers. Leaves can create problems by clogging storm drains and flooding the street. Accumulation of leaves on streets also endangers motorists and cyclists, whose tires may slip on leaves.
Leaves left onsite in a layer or in a pile to be later used as mulch can help make better soil, create food and shelter for insects, and potentially save time and money. The east winds will no doubt have their own say on where leaves stay put, but leaves help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add organic matter to soil.
Leaf cover also helps butterflies and moths over winter while providing great habitat for bumblebees, spiders, worms and others that in turn provide food to animals such as chipmunks and birds. You don't even need to shred the leaves as shredded leaves don’t provide the same cover as whole leaves. Shredding may also destroy caterpillars and chrysalis.
Leaves and other yard debris are collected each week in residential yard-debris roll carts. You can set out your 60-gallon yard debris roll cart, one paper yard debris bag (no plastic bags, please), or one bundle of prunings (limited to 4" diameter and 36" length) or yard trimmings every week for no extra charge. Any additional cans, or bags or bundles are $4.40 each. You can find more details on yard waste collection from WM.
Quick tips for dealing with falling leaves:
- Keep leaves out of the street
- Use leaves as mulch and habitat for insects and invertebrates
- Put leaves in your yard debris bin for weekly collection by WM
- Take leaves and other yard debris to Allwood Recyclers