To the Editor:

The way we deal with fallen leaves in Princeton is not sustainable financially or environmentally.

In 2010 it was estimated that it cost the then-Township and Borough a combined $700,000 annually to collect leaves. As this fall ritual has come to an end again, we should not continue to use the kind of resources we do in expensive heavy machinery and maintenance, fuel, and labor to collect and haul away tons of leaves. There is also a safety hazard to children and others with large piles of leaves, especially on narrow roadways and those with no sidewalks. A good part of these leaves can be kept on site. Following are some alternatives:

A) On wooded lots leaves can be raked or blown into the woods, enhancing the soil rather than being placed on roadways;

B) On non-wooded or smaller lots, often a small corner can be found to place the leaves for composting where Mother Nature will transform the pile over the winter to a fraction of its original volume. This resource can be used to enhance gardens or just be left alone;

C) The previous process can be greatly enhanced by leaf shredders to further reduce volume and/or to spread finely shredded particles on lawns to improve the soil.

Homeowners and their landscapers should be better informed about these alternatives. Apparently, we will need an ordinance to control these wasteful costs, primarily for areas where leaves can readily be left onsite.

This issue has been discussed publicly for at least a decade. It needs some focus now since the wheels of implementation grind slowly.

Grace Sinden

Ridgeview Circle