Got leaves? Here’s where city residents can dispose of them

• River Falls' compost site

The city’s brush/compost facility sits just behind the school district’s bus garage on Locust Street. Vera Roy-Stoeberl photos
• City's compost site

City residents approaching from the south while driving on Winter Street will see this sign telling them to turn left to get to the brush/compost facility.

Talk about it

Everyone’s noticed the brilliant colors Mother Nature displayed during the recent transition from summer.

All sizes and shapes of leaves, just finishing their life cycles, are falling all around now that autumn is here.

And now it’s also time to rake it all up.

For city residents, there’s a place where raked-up leaves can be disposed of and recycled into compost: The brush/compost facility at 901 W. Locust St.

The large, easily accessible site, which has been in the same location for roughly 15 years now, can be found just behind the school district’s bus garage.

Taking a drive on Winter Street near the city’s former power plant, turn left, if coming from the south, and follow Locust Street to where it ends. A large gate marks the entrance to the site.

Director of Public Works Reid Wronski offered this information about the facility. It’s also printed on a sign at its entrance.

“The city’s brush/compost facility … is for disposal of yard waste and brush only. The site is open April through November during daylight hours.

“Material must be removed from plastic and other non-compostable bags. A dumpster is available at the site for disposal of the bags.

“Compost and woodchips are available at the site for residents on a first come, self-serve basis.”

Wronski asked for the public’s help regarding the non-monitored location.

“Please help us by self-monitoring the site as hours will have to be severely curtailed if we are forced to have an attendant on duty to monitor the site’s usage.”

Wronski also reminded residents that the site is only available for people who live within the River Falls city limits.

In the past, residents could also recycle oil at the facility. That’s no longer an option.

However, there are a number of local businesses that accept used oil. Wronski said the list includes: Bowen’s Garage, 405 S. Main St.; BP Amoco, 700 N. Main St.; River Falls Tire, 410 N. Main; and River Falls Car Wash, 661 N. Main St.

Residents can drop off used oil during those businesses’ hours of operation.

Kristy Treichel, who also works for the city in Wronski’s department, will answer any questions residents have about the yard waste site. Call her at 715-426-3412.

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