Silver City, NM - The leaves that fall from your trees can be put to good use instead of going into the landfill. They can be used as mulch for your flower or garden beds. Leaves also make a great addition to a compost pile if you do backyard composting. You can also put them in a bag and let others use them.

There are several places you can take bags of leaves including The Volunteer Center, Townside Farms or the landfill. The Volunteer Center is at 518 East 13th Street. Leaves can be left by the gate anytime. Leaves will be used in the community garden. The leaves will be spread on the garden as mulch for the winter and then tilled into the soil in the spring. For more information you can contact The Volunteer Center at 388-2988.

Townside Farms is at 3100 Little Walnut Rd., one mile from the intersection of Highway 180. Leave the bags in the front parking lot by the farm stand.

The landfill is at 318 S. Ridge Road. They are open Monday to Friday 8-4 and Saturday 8-3. At the scale house they will direct you to the drop off location for your leaves. The leaves are also available for composting by anyone who wants to take them.

In some neighborhoods people will stop by and pick up bags of leaves if you leave them at the curb. If no one has picked them up you can also call the Public Works Department for the Town of Silver City at 388-4640. They will pick up bags of leaves, as their schedule allows, and take them to a drop-off spot landfill.

For more information contact the Office of Sustainability at 519-8987.