Ann Arbor’s last week of curbside Compostable collection for the season is Dec. 6-10. The seasonal curbside compost pickups will resume with the return of the growing season on Monday, April 4, 2011. Additional details of the city’s compostable program are posted online at www.a2gov.org/compost.

Residents may place leaves, weeds and brush into paper yard waste bags or into their optional compost cart and set the materials at the curb before 7 a.m. on their normal curbside solid waste collection day. Each yard waste bag or bundle may weigh up to 50 pounds. Bundled brush is also accepted at the curb when tied into bundles up to 18 inches in diameter and four feet in length. Individual branches may be up to six inches in diameter. Plastic bags are not accepted for yard waste.

Residents who have purchased and use the optional compost carts may also include grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and uncoated paper plates, cups and napkins in their compost carts for municipal collection. Optional compost carts may be purchased for a one-time charge of $50 each for any size (32-, 64-or 96-gallon cart) from the city’s Customer Service Center, 220 E. Huron, open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. Call 734-994-2807.

Unlimited quantities of leaves from city residents and their contracted haulers are accepted at no charge when delivered to the city’s Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road, open Monday through Friday (non holidays) 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (734-794-6380) from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31. Commercial haulers are required to have a free permit signed by the resident in order to take advantage of the free drop-off option. Copies of the free leaf drop-off permits are posted online at www.a2gov.org/leaves.

Year-round, Ann Arbor residents may deliver up to one cubic yard (six yard waste bags) per visit of compostables — including grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and uncoated paper plates, cups and napkins — at no charge, to the Compost Center. For loads beyond the initial free first cubic yard, the cost is $10 per cubic yard for residents, $12 per cubic yard for nonresidents. Compostables are also accepted for $2 per bag, $23 per cubic yard (plus a $3 entry fee) at Recycle Ann Arbor’s Drop-Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth (734-971-7400), open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Additional options for handling fall leaves

• Feed your lawn with leaves by using a mulching mower. Instead of raking leaves, run a mulching mower across up to six inches of fallen leaves. The Turf Research Institute faculty at Michigan State University find leaf mulch is the ideal fall lawn treatment. Consult the links on the Web at www.a2gov.org/leaves for leaf mulching reports from Scotts Lawn Care and MSU. The fall leaf mulching process is a common leaf management method used by golf course operators.

• Compost at home. An easy outdoor composting recipe is provided online at www.a2gov.org/compost.

For more information on the city’s solid waste programs, please visit the Web site at www.a2gov.org/recycle or phone the Customer Service Center at 734-99-GREEN.

Nancy Stone is the Communications Liaison for Public Services at the City of Ann Arbor. She can be reached at nstone@a2gov.org. Visit www.a2gov.org for more information on local environmental topics including recycling, composting, water conservation, and choices for green living.

Your World provides local environmental information to our community. Contributing partners include: Washtenaw County’s Environmental Health Division; the nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor; the City of Ann Arbor’s Public Services Area, Natural Area Preservation, Systems Planning programs for Energy, Environmental Coordination, Solid Waste, Transportation, and Water Resources.