Our wooded properties make us proud of our communities.  As the leaves turn color and fall, they provide a beautiful show BUT require cleanup.  Decaying plant material that ends up in ponds and streams reduces water quality.  Please do not rake leaves into the street.

Composting is a microbial process that converts plant materials such as grass clippings and leaves to a more usable organic soil amendment or mulch. Gardeners have used compost for centuries to increase soil organic matter, improve soil physical properties, and supply some of the essential nutrients for plant growth. Mulching refers to the practice of applying a layer of materials such as compost, leaves, or grass clippings to the soil surface in order to modify soil temperature and moisture as well as control weeds and soil erosion.

Because many communities ban outdoor burning and have laws that prohibit dumping of leaves and grass clippings into landfills, composting and mulching have become attractive ways to manage yard waste and recycle natural materials.

Drop-Off Options –  Bring your leaves and grass to the Anoka County Compost Sites at a cost of $5 for up to 4 cubic yards (50 cents for each additional cubic yard).  Come back to the compost site to get a compost that your can use in your yard and landscaping. The hours for the sites are :

• Bunker Hills Site (Hanson Blvd. 1 mile north of Hwy 242 in Coon Rapids) Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sundown, whichever is first; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays Noon to 5 p.m.
• Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Site (County Road 14 to the east of I-35W) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.a.m. to 7 p.m. or sundown, whichever is first; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays Noon to 5 p.m.

Backyard Composting – Or consider the advantages of composting right in your backyard.

For more information call the Anoka County Recycling and Resource Solutions at 763-323-5730.