Sioux Falls opens branch, leaf drop-off sites

The season of yard cleanup has returned, and the city of Sioux Falls is waiting for it.

Two free branch and leaf drop-off sites have opened and will be free to use through Dec. 1.

The sites are along Lyon Boulevard, near the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds, and along Chambers Street, near the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Our seasonal drop-off sites are quite busy in the fall with homeowners readying their lawns for winter and picking up leaves,” said Don Kuper, superintendent of the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill. “Our landfill team enjoys offering this service, knowing it helps residents and keeps reusable materials out of the landfill.”

The sites are intended for residential use only, and cars, pickups, full-size SUVs, vans and two-wheel trailers are accepted. Lawn service companies, commercial businesses and double-axle trailers will not be accepted and must go directly to the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill.

All loads must be tarped or in an enclosed vehicle. Branches and leaves must be placed in separate piles, and leaves must be removed from plastic bags. Plastic bags, stumps, rubble and household garbage are not accepted.

Discarded branches are ground and repurposed, while leaves are composted. Residents can pick up compost for free year-round at the landfill and at the seasonal drop-off sites while they are open. Compost is available first come, first served, and residents must collect and carry their own compost.

Here’s a closer look at how to access the sites:

Additional reminders for the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill

• Residents of Sioux Falls and the five-county region the landfill serves — Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook, Turner and Lake — are encouraged to use their free annual pass. To redeem the free pass, residents can scan their driver’s license or state ID at the landfill. Households get one free pass per year that resets every Jan. 1. Visit the city’s website for program details.
• The landfill is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays. The landfill no longer observes special hours for Daylight Savings Time. It’s closed Thanksgiving and Christmas and open regular hours on Native American Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Eve.