
Fallen leaves can clog storm drains and create areas of standing water on roadways, making roads unsafe for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians
As colorful leaves begin to fall from trees, Clark County and city of Vancouver encourage community members to properly dispose of leaves to keep them out of streets and the landfill.
Leaves should not be raked or blown into streets. Fallen leaves can clog storm drains and create areas of standing water on roadways, making roads unsafe for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Instead, residents can take advantage of local disposal options that use leaves to create compost.
Leaves are a nutrient-rich, biodegradable material. But each year, millions of pounds of leaves end up in landfills. When organic waste, like leaves, is left to rot in landfills it creates methane, a toxic greenhouse gas.
Rather than sending leaves to the landfill, residents can place leaves in their curbside yard debris or organics cart, or in their own backyard compost. Fallen leaves can also be left on lawns, where they will create a natural mulch to suppress weeds and support pollinators with winter cover.
Residents can also dispose of their leaves for free through the Fall Leaf Coupon program provided by Clark County Public Works and the city of Vancouver Public Works. With a Fall Leaf Coupon, residents can drop off up to 5 cubic yards of leaves at one of four designated sites at no charge from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
Residents can get their coupon by:
- Printing a coupon from www.cityofvancouver.us/leafcoupon, www.clarkgreenneighbors.org/leafcoupon, or www.wcnorthwest.com/leaves.
- Clipping a coupon from Waste Connections’ annual recycling newsletter, which will be mailed to all Clark County residences in October.
- Calling Vancouver Solid Waste at (360) 487-7160 or emailing solidwaste@cityofvancouver.us to have a coupon mailed.
- Picking up a coupon from:
- Vancouver City Hall, 415 W Sixth St.
- Vancouver Utility Services, 2323 General Anderson Ave.
- Vancouver Marine Park Engineering office, 4500 SE Columbia Way
- Waste Connections Customer Service Office, 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver
- Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver
The four sites for leaf disposal are H&H Wood Recyclers, McFarlane’s Bark and West Van Materials Recovery Center in Vancouver, and Triangle Resources in Camas. Addresses, business hours and more information can be found on the coupon. Coupons in Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese are also available.
The coupons are for residential use only and cannot be redeemed by businesses. Branches and other yard debris are not eligible for free disposal. Loads should be covered during transport, and all bags of leaves will need to be emptied at the disposal site by the resident.
To learn more about backyard composting and for a schedule of free community workshops, visit the Clark County Composter Recycler website.
To report clogged drains and street flooding on roads in unincorporated Clark County, visit the Clark County Public Works website.
To report clogged drains and street flooding on streets within Vancouver city limits, visit the city of Vancouver Public Works service request website.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- Opinion: Will law concerning what parents can know about kids survive legislative challenge?Washington’s parental rights law, Initiative 2081, faces legislative challenges as lawmakers propose changes that could limit parental notification on student medical services.
- Rep. Kevin Waters bill to assist museums passes committeeRep. Kevin Waters’ bill to help museums manage unclaimed property moves forward, while two more bills addressing Washington lumber mills and education policies receive public hearings.
- Prairie High School drama presents ‘The Prom’Prairie High School’s drama program presents “The Prom,” a musical filled with humor, heart, and a message of love and acceptance.
- Rep. Stephanie McClintock’s bill to allow teens to work more hours during the school year receives committee approvalRep. Stephanie McClintock’s bill to expand work hours for teens during the school year moves forward with committee approval.
- Clark County League of Women Voters to sponsor nonpartisan candidate training March 8The Clark County League of Women Voters is hosting a nonpartisan training session for those interested in running for local office.
- Friday a.m. weather update: Storm ending and temperatures expected to rise well above freezingSnowfall in Vancouver causes closures and travel concerns, but temperatures are expected to rise as the storm clears.
- POLL: Should Voter Registration Require a Passport or Birth Certificate?Should voters be required to present a passport or an original birth certificate when registering to vote under the SAVE Act?