We love trees — and we know fallen leaves can block storm drains and cause problems for you and your neighbors.
Fall Leaf Tips
Help prevent localized flooding by properly recycling of leaves. Use one or more of these helpful tips:
- Drop them off. Place leaves in paper bags or bins and drop them off at a CWS or partner city event this fall.
- Leave your leaves. Leaves can make excellent natural mulch. You can leave the leaves that fall on garden areas or mulch them with your lawnmower for use in planting beds.
- Hire a service. Many neighbors work together to manage leaf fall. You can combine resources to hire a service that will collect and dispose of all your leaves together.
- Find support for yardwork, if needed, through the 211 Community Resource Directory online, call 211 or 503.222.5555, or text your zip code to 898211 during office hours.
31st Annual Leaf Disposal & Food Drive 2023
This fall, bring your leaves and food donations to one or more of our convenient events.
October 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – CWS Field Operations
November 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Hazeldale Elementary, Meadow Park Middle School, and Oak Hills Elementary
November 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Home Depot (Science Park), Indian Hills Elementary, and Cedar Park Middle School
November 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Hazeldale Elementary, Meadow Park Middle School, and Oak Hills Elementary
December 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Home Depot (Science Park), Indian Hills Elementary, and Cedar Park Middle School
December 9, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – CWS Field Operations
- Leaves, pine needles, and grass clippings are accepted.
- Bring debris loose or in a paper bag (no plastic).
- Please limit debris to 50 pounds per bag.
- Program is for residents, not commercial operations.
- We’ll also collect monetary and food donations for local food banks.
Program Benefits
Clean Water Services collects about 2,400 cubic yards (about 240 dump truck loads) of leaves each year and takes them to West Union Gardens and made into mulch.
Participating in the leaf disposal program helps:
- Reduce localized flooding caused by leaf-clogged storm drains.
- Keep nutrients from decaying yard debris out of local creeks, wetlands, and the Tualatin River.
- Keep streets safe and clear for bikes and pedestrians.
This program is funded by Clean Water Services’ $10.55 per month surface water management (SWM) fee. This fee pays for flood management and water quality protection and improvement programs including street sweeping, 24-hour emergency flood response, catch basin cleaning, water quality monitoring, watershed planning and public education.