San Luis Obispo County, CA

10/31/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 21:46

San Luis Obispo County Urges Residents to Dispose of Leaves in Green Waste Bins

Central Coast Clean outreach effort helps communities and street sweepers protect local waterways.

Author: Public Works
Date: 10/31/2024 2:59 PM

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY - The County of San Luis Obispo Stormwater Program has launched a new outreach effort to educate residents on proper yard waste disposal to protect local waterways and maintain clean, safe streets.

In response to rising costs and a shift to quarterly street sweeping, the County urges residents to help keep streets clear by using green waste bins for leaves and yard debris rather than blowing them into the street. Piles of leaves can clog storm drains, causing pooling water and potential road damage. This outreach effort will expand on the County's Central Coast Clean campaign that launched in 2021.

"Keeping storm drains clear and streets clean is a shared effort," said Ann Fletcher, County Stormwater Program Coordinator. "Disposing of yard waste correctly to green bins reduces impacts to our drain inlets, protects the environment, and preserves our beloved San Luis Obispo beauty."

Residents are encouraged to do their part in keeping storm drains clear and maintaining clean streets by:

  • Blowing or raking leaves into piles within yards, ensuring they do not go into the streets
  • Disposing of leaves and other yard debris in green waste bins
  • Making sure storm drains are clear of leaves and debris so stormwater can flow freely into storm drains
  • Removing any blockages or leaf piles that could disrupt the path of street sweepers
"We encourage residents to help us get rain-ready and remove leaf litter build-up at their homes and businesses. Our sweepers are intended to collect incidental debris, sediment, and litter spread across their entire route," said Mike Tabares, Roads Maintenance Manager from SLO County Public Works Department. "Large amounts of leaves left in the roadway can actually clog sweepers- reducing their efficiency and increasing the costs of sweeping."

The Central Coast Clean-Leaves & Storm Drains Outreach effort will run through April 2025 and will include public education on street sweeping and the impacts of improper leaf disposal. It will also involve community participation via social media outreach through @SLOStormwater on Instagram and Facebook. Print and digital ads, postcards, and door hangers will remind residents to use green waste bins to prevent stormwater system blockages and keep roadways clean and safe.

For more information, visit the SLO County Public Works page or follow @SLOStormwater on Facebook and Instagram.

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