Leaf, branch drop-off sites are open

The leaves slowly are beginning to fall, so the city has opened two leaf and branch drop-off sites.

They are free for residents and will be open until Nov. 26.

The first is at Lyon Boulevard, near the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Access is available from West 12th Street or West Madison Street.

The other is on Chambers Street, near the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Hours of operation for both sites are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The sites are intended for residential use only, and cars, pickups, full-size SUVs, vans and two-wheel trailers are accepted. Lawn service companies and commercial businesses must take materials directly to the Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill.

At the drop-off sites, branches and leaves must be placed in separate piles. Leaves must be removed from plastic bags. All loads must be tarped or in an enclosed vehicle. Pumpkins also are accepted, and residents are encouraged to dispose of them at the drop-off sites rather than discarding them in the trash. Plastic bags, stumps, rubble and household garbage are not accepted.

“The city’s seasonal drop-off sites are very popular with residents and especially appreciated during the times of year when people are working on their yards,” said Josh Peterson, the city’s environmental services manager. “For the city, this helps us divert materials and save valuable airspace, which ultimately extends the landfill’s life span, while helping keep Sioux Falls clean and beautiful.”

With both the spring and fall branch and leaf drop-off sites, the city diverts an average of 5,000 tons of yard waste from the landfill each year, which saves money and landfill airspace. Leaves deposited at the drop-off sites are composted at the landfill. Compost is available for free for residents to pick up year-round.

If you haven’t used your free landfill pass, you have until Dec. 31 for this year’s pass. Residents can scan their driver’s license or state ID at the landfill to redeem the free pass.