Get Involved

There are many ways you can get involved in the Elkhart County Leaf Management initiative.

Make Wise Choices

• Bag your leaves and drop them off at the Elkhart County Landfill (59530 County Road 7, Elkhart, IN 46517)​ during their scheduled business hours. Both residential and commercial customers can bring leaves to the landfill for free!

• ​Compost or mulch your leaves, either using your own equipment or equipment from the Compost Program.
• If you absolutely must burn your leaves, burn them responsibly.
• Volunteer!
  • Share this information with your neighbors. See if you can help make the process of leaf management easier for them.
  • Help our staff implement these pilot programs and ensure they are successful for years to come! Email a.turner@sbenfocus.org if you'd like to contribute.

Participate in the Compost Program - receive a free compost bin!

• Click here to fill out the Compost Program sign up form. 

• Bring the completed, printed form to one of these locations to receive a free compost bin. You may also fill out the form on-site:

  • Elkhart County Landfill (59530 County Road 7, Elkhart, IN 46517)​. Please note that compost bins can only be picked up at the landfill Monday through Friday, from 8am to 4:45pm. Compost bins CAN NOT be picked up on Saturdays.

  • One of our "Leaf Management on the Road" special events.

• For unincorporated Homeowners Associations, we can offer the Compost Program on-site in your neighborhood. Please email a.turner@sbenfocus.org if you are interested in arranging a Homeowners Association visit.​

Participate in the Leaf Collection Competition

• If you are part of a group or organization, click here to view additional information about the competition.

• If you are a resident who would like their leaves collected as part of the leaf collection competition, stay tuned for a list of competitors in late August. You can then contact your favorite group to see if they might be able to help.

Educate Yourself

• Click here to learn more about why leaf burning is harmful to human health and clean air, how to compost your leaves, and how to burn in accordance with Indiana state law.

• If you are looking to hire a landscaper to assist with leaf management, visit our landscaper information page. The information page includes contact information, services offered, and rates. To download a print version of the information page, or to view an interactive map with the landscaper information, click here.

Reach Out

• Use the Contact Us form on this Web site to share your ideas.

• To report inappropriate outdoor burning, please contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at (800) 451-6027 x3 or at https://www.in.gov/idem/5274.htm.