Do You Know Where Your Leaves Go?

We're going to talk to you about leaves. Environmentally speaking, what should we do with them? Here in Ferndale, we have a number of options, some greener than others, some easier than others. However, we don't want to get too ahead of ourselves without at least a little introduction to this new column, A Patch of Green.

The goal is to bring you informative, easy-to-digest stories on all things "green" in and around Ferndale. Think of us as your very own Ferndalian Green Team.

We hope to offer something for everyone -- from the eco-expert to those just getting started. We, as the Green Team, will keep you abreast of what we turn up on the streets (and on the Web) when it comes to green practices. We'll also be sure to throw in some great resources like green , how-tos and quick guides to help get you started on going green.

"A Patch of Green" hopes to add to Ferndale, which is already a green leader of sorts and has been for many years. 

Highlights include:

• Ferndale has several schools recognized as an official State of Michigan Green School.
• The Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission (FESC) was adopted by the city in 2007 and has worked directly with city officials on many environ-friendly changes in the city.
• The city, along with the Downtown District Authority (DDA) and the Department of Public Works (DPW), have added bike lanes, recycling bins, more bicycle racks and have recently passed an ordinance for "Complete Streets".
• The city also requires special events that take place to have recycling containers at their event.
• Finally, Ferndale plays host to the Annual Sierra Club Green Cruise, which has been a mainstay here for almost 7 years.

So what about those leaves?

Make no mistake, winter is just around the corner and with it comes less sunlight, cold days and even colder nights. We all know that before the snow hits the ground, the leaves will fall, and like many Ferndale residents, the Green Team will take advantage of the Department of Public Works' curbside leaf collection service…or will we?

Most residents are probably familiar with Ferndale's DPW "vacuum" trucks that come around each fall sucking up the leaves raked (very green) or blown (not so green) to the curb. But did you know that this has been a Ferndale practice since 1957 -- well before green was anything more than a color.

According to DPW Director Byron Photiades, some of the vacuums the city uses today are the originals from 1957 -- talk about reducing, reusing and recycling.

But, you ask, where do all the leaves go once they're sucked up? And then you ask, "Is this even Green?"

We are happy to report that the leaves are transferred to the Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) yard waste compost site, 1741 School Road, Rochester Hills, and become part of the composting cycle that's eventually brought back to Ferndale for residents to pick-up for free.

There are two locations in Ferndale to pick-up compost: year round at the yard, 521 E. Cambourne, Mon.-Thurs., between 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., or at the Southwest Storage Yard behind every Saturday in May between 8 a.m.-noon.

Call the DPW at 248-546-2514 for more details.

While it's important that the leaves raked to the curb are picked up to prevent major sewer issues, there is another leaf disposal option that is even more green, and we are not talking about just letting the wind blow your leaves into your neighbor's yard.

We are talking about composting the leaves yourself.

Not only do you save the trucks and vacuums some time from running -- time equals energy saved -- but you get a chance to work directly with YOUR environment. There are specific steps to composting your leaves, but they are only a part of the ingredients. The good news is that they are a very important part and you probably have a yard full of them right now. So try something different this fall and start your very own mini compost in your backyard. SOCRRA and Southeast Oakland County Water Authority Web sites have composting workshops available.

Another great local source for compost bins and tips is the Green Thumb Garden Center, 22963 Woodward Ave., just North of 9 Mile.

We'll be back soon with more green tips. In the meantime, you'll find us raking our leaves and turning our compost bins. 

Ferndale Curbside Leaf Collection

Now-Dec. 1.Weather permitting, leaves may be raked to the curb rather than bagged.

Fall Leaf Disposal

Dispose of fall leaves in any of these ways:

1. Compost on your property. Go to the SOCRRA Web site for some great information on composting and yard waste.
2. Rake to the curb for pick-up by the DPW from now through Dec. 1, weather permitting.
3. Place in a reusable container bearing the Ferndale Yard Waste Compost label or use the paper kraft bags (available at hardware stores) and place at the curb between now and mid-December.
4. Between mid-December and the first Monday in April, put in a 30-gallon bin or paper kraft bag and drop off at SOCRRA's Troy transfer station on Coolidge for free (248-288-5150) or store it until the city's yard waste collection begins again the first Monday in April.

Any questions feel free to email the author.