Fall and Winter Tips: Options for Leaves and Keeping Sidewalks and Storm Drains Clear

As the seasons change, the City of Bloomington reminds residents of the options for handling fallen leaves on their property and requests residents’ assistance in keeping storm drains and adjacent sidewalks free of leaves, snow, and ice.

2023 LEAF MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Mulch and Compost Your Leaves

Municipal vacuum leaf pickup has been discontinued this year, but there are many leaf management options, and help is available for residents who need it.

Mulching and composting leaves is a green way to reduce waste and create useful fertilizer. Mow mulching, by running over fallen leaves with your mower is a great option. Using leaves as mulch in gardens and flower beds is another. Composting leaves will create nutrient rich soil in time for the spring planting season. Videos, articles and other  information on leaf management may be found at bloomington.in.gov/leaf-collection.

Yard Waste Collection

Through the end of December, leaves bagged in biodegradable or paper bags will be collected on residents’ current yard waste collection day at no charge. During the month of November, bagged leaves will be picked up WEEKLY and for FREE.

Paper yard waste bags are being distributed for free from any City of Bloomington fire station (maximum 10 per household). Additional leaf bags may be purchased through many local retailers, such as hardware stores and area grocers. Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected.

All other yard waste, including sticks, brush, and limbs, must be separated from leaves and will be collected for a fee of $1 per container or bundle that is added automatically to residents’ utility bill. Bagged or bundled yard waste set out for collection, including bagged leaves, must weigh 40 pounds or less, and be placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. for collection.

Help is Available

Do you need help with mulching, raking, composting, or otherwise managing your leaves? The City has partnered with Civic Champs’ Helping Hands. Sign up to receive help AND to volunteer to help others with leaf management this fall. helpinghands.civicchamps.com/

KEEP STORM DRAINS CLEAR

Also this season, residents are encouraged to help tackle the challenges presented by the increased rainfall associated with our changing climate. A simple way to prevent flooding and erosion and keep debris and pollutants from adversely affecting the ecosystem, is to keep storm drains free of leaves, grass clippings, and trash. Residents can help by regularly removing debris from the surface of the storm drain adjacent to their property and/or joining the Adopt-a-Drain program to commit to keeping one or more storm drains clear. Program participants may also affix markers to drains, reminding residents to keep pollutants from entering them. Information about participating in Adopt-a-Drain is available at bton.in/1-CE7 or 812-349-3617. Residents who notice a storm drain that needs additional maintenance or who are unable to clear the drain themselves may file a uReport online at bloomington.in.gov/ureport.

KEEP SIDEWALKS CLEAR

To facilitate access for all pedestrians, the City reminds residential and commercial property owners that the Bloomington Municipal Code directs that they are responsible for keeping the sidewalk(s) adjacent to their property clear of debris (including leaves), as well as snow and ice.

Sidewalks must be clear within 24 hours after snow or ice has ceased to fall or accumulate. On sidewalks in the downtown snow removal area, a path of at least 54 inches (or the width of the sidewalk) must be cleared; in other areas, the minimum clear width of the path is 36 inches.

The downtown snow removal area includes:

• College Avenue and Walnut Street from 3rd Street to 10th Street
• Gentry Street from 4th Street to 5th Street
• Morton Street from 5th Street to 10th Street
• 3rd Street between Walnut Street and College Avenue
• 4th Street between Walnut Street and Gentry Avenue
• Segments of 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets from Walnut Street to Morton Street
• Kirkwood Avenue from Indiana Avenue to Rogers Street.

As we enjoy the beauty of this and the next season, we can also take a few minutes to ensure our property and adjacent areas are clear and safe for all.