Leaf exchange events set for Centralia

Nov. 17—Don't throw away your fall leaves. Put them to good use instead.

That's the advice of the Lewis County Department of Public Works recycling program.

Washington State University Lewis County Master Recycler Composter volunteers will host a leaf exchange event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Floral Park Sustainability Project at the corner of Floral Street and South Tower Avenue in Centralia. For those who can't take care of all their leaves Saturday, a second event is scheduled for Dec. 2.

"Bag up your fall leaves and give them to gardeners who would love to use them for compost or mulch," said Melanie Case, recycling program coordinator for the utility that operates the transfer station.

Residents can bring leaves in plastic lawn and leaf bags or garbage bags and drop them off with volunteers during the event. The leaf exchange is being offered for free, but the Master Recycler Composter volunteers, who are putting on the program in partnership with the utility, will accept donations to support their community outreach and education programs.

"Leaves must be from healthy trees," Case noted. "Volunteers will also not be set up to accept grass clippings, other yard debris or garbage. They will be inspecting bags before accepting them."

Gardeners in need of healthy leaves for their gardens can stop by and pick up bags of leaves.

Leaves will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

Volunteers will be available to answer questions about composting or mulching gardens with leaves.

For more information on the event, call 360-740-1451 or email swu@lewiscountywa.gov.