TIFFIN LEAF COMPOST AND BRUSH DROP OFF FACILITY
Tiffin’s leaf compost and brush drop off facility is
located at the city’s wastewater treatment plant at 961 North Water Street. The facility
opens daily, March through November, Sunday through Saturday at 7:00 a.m. and
visitors are expected to be off the premises by 2:30 p.m. to avoid being
cited. Visitors should enter off the North Water Street entrance and proceed
straight up the hill to the compost/brush area. The speed limit is 15
mph, so take it easy and don’t take the chance of hitting a plant employee or
one of the other visitors to our facility.
Orange cones are placed in areas to restrict
transportation due to hazards. Anyone caught moving cones to enter the
leaf compost/brush drop off will be cited. When the compost/brush area
is closed a rope is put up to restrict entering.
We operate as a
“source-separated” entity under the rules of the Ohio EPA. Your leaves
should not be mixed with grass, nor should your sticks and leaves be mixed
together. We are happy to accept what we can if you do your part by
separating them and placing them in the proper area.
I have taken my
leaves there and the gates are open, but I can’t get up to the
leafpile. Why?
IF THE METAL GATES ENTERING THE WASTEWATER
TREATMENT FACILITY ARE OPEN, THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU ENTRANCE TO
THE COMPOST AREA. If you cannot make it to the
facility during the workweek due to your work schedule, you should schedule
time on the weekend during 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to bring out leaves or
brush. We are open seven days a week, March through November, unless
work is being done in the area that would preclude it from being open.
We send announcements to the local newspaper and radio station if this would
occur.
I don’t know what to
do with my pumpkins. I brought them out and was told I could not leave
them. Why?
We operate under Ohio
EPA requirements. Part of these requirements restrict the disposal of
fruits, vegetables, etc. because of the issue of flies, rats, mice,
etc. We have been the target of individuals who have dropped off, even
hidden in leaf and brush piles items such as pumpkins, eggplants, apples,
tomatoes, peppers, walnuts and other tree nuts. These items could
easily go into individual’s solid waste disposal at home, or they may want to
start their own small compost area in their back yard.
Why can’t I dump grass on the leaf
pile? I don’t want to leave it on my lawn.
Grass does not compost well in our set
up. Grass left in huge amounts can cause rotting, mold and slime which
causes odors and attracts mice and insects. Your best bet is to cut the
grass and leave it on your lawn. High in ammonia and phosphorus, it
will break down and filter down into the ground and fertilize your lawn, FOR
FREE!
Can I bring
flowers or other trimmings to the site?
Yes, flowers,
light hedge trimmings (which are soft and will break down), light straw, and
vines/plants from your garden may be placed in the leaf pile. If your
hedge trimmings have what appear to be small wooden branches attached, they
should be placed in the brush pile. Remember, fruits and vegetables,
nuts and melons (including pumpkins) need to be either eaten at home or
disposed of in your own solid waste. The brush pile accepts brush,
branches and light wood, but not construction material or that which has
nails, screws, and metal attached. DO NOT LEAVE BALES OF STRAW WITH
TWINE STILL ATTACHED, OR SECTIONS OF LONG ORNAMENTAL GRASS WITH DUCK TAPE
WRAPPED AROUND IT. WE’VE YET TO SEE A PLASTIC OR CLAY FLOWER POT BREAK
DOWN…TAKE THIS MATERIAL WITH YOU!
I used to be
able to leave my old plastic bags at the site after emptying leaves, but I
can’t anymore? Why?
Individuals took advantage of metal drums set aside
for leaf bags and begin dropping their household garbage, along with
construction materials, broken glass, etc. For this reason we removed
the drums and require residents to take the bags home and either re-use them
or dispose of them with their solid waste.
I left leaf
bags at the curb for the fall pick-up but they are still there, with red
stickers attached. Why weren’t they picked up?
The red stickers indicate either the wrong bags were
used or there is material inside that is not acceptable for pick up.
Remember that the bags are brought to the compost facility. If there is
material in there that the compost facility cannot handle due to its
inability to compost or in violation of EPA and Health Department rules, the
bags will stay at the curb. The red sticker is an indication that there
is a problem with the contents. If you telephone the number on the bag,
you may discuss the specifics with a city employee. The reason for using
clear bags is that we need to inspect them for contents before pick up.
Some individuals have used immense-sized bags, but although they are clear
there is a risk of injury to a city employee trying to lift them and they do
not fit properly on the city’s pick up trailers.
THE BENEFITS OF FOLLOWING THE RULES…
- On the first day of October, every year,
we give away some wonderful
compost that has broken down over the past
year. The less
garbage, plastic, sticks that are “dumped” by
individuals, the better
the compost product. For more information
call the Water
Pollution Control Center at (419) 448-5440
·
Ground brush,
as mulch, is also available for free at different times of the year;
·
The
compost/brush area can remain open at the current schedule and not start
closing certain days or lessen the hours due to clean up;
·
Our
inspections by the Ohio EPA and Seneca County Health Board will pass with
flying colors and we will be able to remain open.
If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact the Water
Pollution Control
Center at (419)
448-5440 or e-mail us at watertreatment@tiffinohio.gov.
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