Sioux Falls Leaf Drop-Off Sites Opening This Weekend

It's hard to believe it's that time again, but the leaves are already heading down onto lawns across the Sioux Empire. To prepare for the upcoming season Sioux Falls is opening the leaf and branch drop-off sites this Saturday.

Starting September 21 through December 1, Sioux Falls residents can take advantage of free branch and leaf drop-off services at two convenient locations.

The sites, which are located near the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds off of Lyon Boulevard and at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Facility, will operate daily Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from Noon to 5 PM.

Don Kuper, Superintendent of the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill, emphasized the importance of this service in helping residents prepare their lawns for winter while promoting recycling. The initiative aims to divert reusable materials from the landfill.

These sites are exclusively for residential use, accepting cars, pickups, SUVs, vans, and small trailers. Commercial haulers are directed to use the main landfill. Residents must separate branches and leaves, remove leaves from plastic bags, and secure loads during transport.

The collected materials serve a purpose beyond disposal. Branches are repurposed through grinding, while leaves are transformed into compost. As an added benefit, residents can obtain free compost at these sites or the landfill year-round, subject to availability.

This eco-friendly program not only assists in fall lawn maintenance but also promotes sustainable practices within the Sioux Falls area.

5 Things South Dakota Gave the World

South Dakota may not get much respect. We get a blizzard and it's a footnote on the national scene, but if Florida gets a bit chilly it's breaking news. But, maybe it's fine to be forgotten about. We kind of like being left alone on our quiet piece of the plains.

South Dakota has given a lot to the world though. Not just giant mountain carvings and settings for HBO shows, but awesome things that the rest of the world should thank us for.

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

From Frybread to Pheasants - Here are South Dakota's Official State Things

Every state in our nation has chosen things that represent the state in one way or another to be official state things. Like a flower, or animal. South Dakota is no different.

The Mount Rushmore has a state flower. But did you know we also have a state tree and a state fish? Yes, we even have a state code.

Here is what we have so far in Wyoming. Thanks to the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office for the info: