Conversation Department: How to Legally, Responsibly Dispose of Leaves

The Conservation Department reminds Westport residents that both the Regulations for the Protection and Preservation of Wetlands and Watercourses of the Town of Westport, and Westport’s Waterway Protection Line Ordinance prohibit the dumping of debris in a wetland or watercourse.

Conservation Director Colin Kelly stated, “Now that autumn is in full swing, it seems like the yard work has only begun. We’ll all be raking and hauling leaves in an effort to clean up while looking for a way to dispose of them. As tempting as it may be, however, our wetlands and watercourses are not the place to be dumping them.”

Kelly continued, “Laws that protect our wetlands and waterways are there to protect the town’s natural resources as well as private property. Wetlands act as natural drainage basins for the collection of excess groundwater in the spring and runoff during storm events. Wetlands keep floodwaters within streams and their floodplains.”

Additional information may be found on the Conservation Department page on the Town Website: www.westportct.gov.

There are several options available to Westport residents for proper leaf disposal. One option is to compost leaves in the back yard within a fenced area or a composting receptacle, located at least 20 feet away from any wetland or watercourse. Not only is backyard composting a convenient alternative, it also produces valuable soil for container or garden planting the following year. Residents can learn the simple techniques of composting by linking to various web-sites such as https://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2022/10/13/compost-leaves-fast/ or  https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home or https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/composting-leaves.htm

Another option available to Westport residents with a valid sticker is to deliver leaves to the yard waste site at 180 Bayberry Lane behind the Aspetuck Health District (no plastic bags) The yard waste site is now open Monday through Saturday 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Extended Saturday hours are in effect thru December 10, 2022. 

Alternatively, the Department of Public Works began curbside leaf collection on November 7. All leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags safely near the curb of a Town street by December 5 to guarantee pick-up. Residents living on private streets must place their leaves behind the curb of an intersecting Town roadway. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be picked up as the composting process cannot handle plastic.

For more information about leaf removal or the yard waste site, contact the Department of Public Works at 203-341-1120.