Bag It, Don't Blow It

When leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris are blown onto streets, sidewalks and into storm drains, it eventually will make its way to our lakes. These materials add excess nutrients to the lake and cause water quality issues. Take care of your lakes by taking care of your yard debris.

Bag It, Don’t Blow It!

• NEVER blow leaves or grass clippings from your yard into streets, sidewalks or storm drains.
• Street sweeping services are designed to handle natural leaf fall on public streets only. When leaves from the yard are blown into the streets, it disrupts this process.
• Streets, sidewalks and driveways must be kept clear of all yard waste to prevent this debris from entering a curb inlet or storm drain. Assume that if your yard waste is on a paved surface, it has access to a storm drain!
• When yard waste makes it through a storm drain and into a lake, it:
  • adds excess nutrients to the water, causing potentially-toxic algae blooms
  • reduces and degrades fish and wildlife habitats
  • decreases water recreation opportunities by degrading water quality

Compost it, Don’t Blow it!

• Receive a FREE composter from the City of Orlando!  Leaves and yard debris, along with many other items from your household, can be composted. Turn your waste into rich, useful compost.  

Request a Free Composter

Mulch It, Don’t Blow It!

• Turn your yard waste into mulch or leave it on the ground. Yard waste acts as a natural fertilizer and creates a backyard habitat for wildlife.

To report any pollution in our streets, storm drains or lakes, please call the Stormwater Hotline: 407.246.2370 or email stormwater@orlando.gov.