Youngstown plans leaf collection

YOUNGSTOWN — The city is having its first leaf collection program next month, thanks to a grant from the Mahoning Valley Green Team

The city has 76,000 free 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags to give its residents for leaf collection. Each resident can receive up to 10 free bags. If residents need more bags they can be bought at a number of local stores.

Previously, city residents put their leaves out with their trash, which was picked up by trash haulers.

The free bags can be obtained at the city’s litter control and recycling office at 9 W. Front St. Those who want to have the city collect bagged leaves must give their name and address to the office and can do so when they pick up the bags.

If you’re using your own bags, you must call the office at (330) 744-7526 to let the office know you need the city to collect your leaf bags.

The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Green Team gave $26,000 to the city for this program.

The county agency started similar programs in Boardman and Austintown in previous years and will expand next year to Struthers and Campbell, said Jim Petuch, director of the Green Team, which is Mahoning County’s recycling division.

The leaves collected by Youngstown will be sent to CBS Topsoil Inc. in Boardman. That company will turn the leaves into mulch.

The city wants to start its own composting facility by next year and offer free compost to its residents at that time, said Sean McKinney, the city’s buildings commissioner.