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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER October 27, 2005 City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.eugene-or.gov IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION LEAF PROGRAM EMPHASIZES VALUE OF RECYCLING 100 VOLUNTEERS LEND A HAND AT RIVERPLAY PLAYGROUND CELEBRATE TWO NATIONS: A NEW FRIENDSHIP WITH THAILAND AND ITS KING AROUND THE CITY Leaf Program Emphasizes Value of Recycling Eugene kicks off its annual leaf collection and delivery program on October 31 in west Eugene. This program provides an opportunity to educate the community about the value of composting and using leaves to extract their nutrients and help recharge soil. In addition, through this unique partnership with local residents, the Public Works Department is able to keep flooding under control, beautify the city and recycle a valuable natural resource. The stormwater-funded program has been available to Eugene citizens since the late 1960s. Traditionally, the program’s focus has been on preventing street flooding caused by clogged gutters, catch basins, and storm drains. It now also facilitates the use of recycled leaves by delivering them to residents, the City's community gardens and community groups such as Food for Lane County, and commercial recyclers, who use them as mulch or compost. Leaves that aren’t delivered are recycled as compost material. If residents are unable to use or recycle their leaves, the City urges safe placement of leaf piles in the street for pickup. Public Works crews will collect leaves in every Eugene neighborhood twice between October 31 and January 20. The schedule is as follows: First Round Second Round Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 - west Eugene Dec. 12 through Dec. 16 - west Eugene Nov. 7 through Nov. 11 – central Eugene Dec. 19 through Dec. 30 - central Eugene Nov. 14 through Nov. 18 – north Eugene Jan. 2 through Jan. 6 - north Eugene Nov. 21 through Dec. 2 – southeast Eugene Jan. 9 through Jan. 13 - southeast Eugene Dec. 5 through Dec. 9 – southwest Eugene Jan. 16 through Jan. 20 - southwest Eugene Last season, Public Works crews collected approximately 15,000 cubic yards of leaves. Although many property owners used their own leaves as compost, the amount collected by City crews increased by approximately 2,700 cubic yards from the previous year, in part because of a heavier leaf drop. Of the leaves collected in FY05, more than 4,300 cubic yards were delivered to residents to be used as mulch and compost material, 4,525 cubic yards went to community gardens, 4,399 cubic yards went to commercial recyclers, and 1,780 cubic yards were composted and used on City parkland. All leaves collected through this program are recycled so that leaves do not end up in the county landfill. Flyers with a collection schedule map and additional information have been placed in the Council Office. For more information, contact Tony Jobanek, leaf program coordinator, at 682-4800. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 October 27, 2005