The last Southwest leaf depot

Cost:
$5 per car load
$10 per truck or SUV
$20 per truck and trailer (up to 5 yards)
No commercial vehicles

For more information, email:
leafremoval@ci.portland.or.us; website: portlandonline/transportation/leafremoval; telephone voice mail 503-823-1784

Ever since the ban on backyard burning in the 80’s Southwest residents have struggled with how to dispose fall leaves that carpet their yards and clog storm drains. Then there is the problem of the extra yard debris from pruning those healthy bushes and shrubs (like laurel hedges). In response to so many frustrated residents, Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. (SWNI) hosts annual fall and spring cleanups to encourages folks to recycle yard debris, scrap metal, and other items (see pages 7-9). The Office of Planning and Stainability provides funding to help pay for advertising and logistics and Metro provides waivers for disposal. Over 60 volunteers and community partners work to make the cleanups successful. In addition, the City Department of Transportation funded a number of leaf depots in Southwest.
Recently, Metro informed SWNI that they will be eliminating the waivers for yard debris in 2010 (yard debris and leaves will be accepted at our November 7, 2009 Cleanup). The City has also announced they plan to eliminate leaf depots as a cost-cutting measure. Given the capacity for curbside pick-up and home composting, the decision was made to encourage residents to place additional bags at curbside and/or use commercial services to recycle.
After reconsidering the decision to eliminate leaf depots, Mayor Adams and the Department of Transportation decided to bring back leaf depots on a limited basis this year.