Free leaf disposal coupons help keep leaves out of storm drains

The popular annual program allows local residents to bring leaves to designated drop-off sites for free disposal

The Fall Leaf Coupon Program, courtesy of city of Vancouver and Clark County Public Works, can help when leaves start to fall and cover the ground. 

The popular annual program allows local residents to bring leaves to designated drop-off sites for free disposal. Keeping leaves out of streets helps prevent clogged stormwater drains and localized flooding.

From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, Vancouver and Clark County residents can drop off up to 5 cubic yards of leaves at one of the designated sites shown on the coupon, at no charge. Loads of leaves must be covered, and all bags of leaves must be emptied out at the disposal site. Branches and other yard debris, including loads with a mix of leaves, are not covered by the coupon and will be charged at the regular disposal price. Coupons are intended to be used by individuals, not businesses.

Coupons are required and must be filled out to be eligible for free leaves disposal. The name of an individual, not a business, must be written on the submitted coupon to be valid. Some drop-off sites may have a few spare coupons on hand this year, but residents are strongly encouraged to print out, clip out or get coupons in advance, before making the trip to drop off leaves. Please note that due to restrictions related to COVID-19 and evolving community health guidelines, coupons are not available for pickup at public facilities this year. 

Here’s how to get your coupons for free leaf disposal:

• Print out a coupon from the City of Vancouver Solid Waste webpage: www.cityofvancouver.us/leafcoupon.

• Print out a coupon from the Clark County Green Neighbors webpage: https://clarkgreenneighbors.org/.

• Clip a coupon out of Waste Connections’ Recycling newsletter, which will be sent to all residences in Clark County in October. Coupons are also available on Waste Connections’ website at www.wcnorthwest.com/leaves.

• Call Vancouver Solid Waste at (360) 487-7160 or email solidwaste@cityofvancouver.us to have a coupon sent to you by mail. Please plan ahead and allow additional time to receive the coupon after making your request.

(Note: Coupons in Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese also are available on the web pages listed above.)

There are four participating designated leaf disposal sites this year, shown below and printed on the coupon. Please call ahead to confirm hours and availability. When dropping off leaves, please wear a face covering, maintain physical distance and follow other posted public health guidance.

• H & H Wood Recyclers, 8401 NE 117th Ave. Phone: (360) 892-2805. Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday in October, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in November/December, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

• McFarlane’s Bark, 8806 NE 117th Ave. Phone: (360) 892-6125. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in October/November; closed Sunday in December.

• Triangle Resources, 612 S.E. Union St, Camas. Phone: (360) 834-7253. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

• West Van Materials Recovery Center, 6601 NW Old Lower River Road. Phone: (360) 737-1727. Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. 

In Vancouver, property owners are responsible for managing the leaves from their trees. Deliberately raking or blowing leaves into the street and leaving them there is unlawful. Street sweepers are generally no match for big, wet, heavy piles of leaves. The free leaf disposal program is intended to provide options for Vancouver residents with a lot of trees, while also protecting our stormwater system and streets from flooding.

Other options for leaf disposal include on-site composting or subscribing to Waste Connections’ optional Organics service, available within the city of Vancouver, or optional yard debris service, available in portions of Clark County. Visit www.wcnorthwest.com to learn more.

View the informational video showing how the city of Vancouver and residents can work together to manage fall leaves: https://youtu.be/jr3ogvYlY6E.

Information provided by city of Vancouver.