The Niles Department of Public Works/Street Department will be loading wood mulch and leaf compost material onto trucks and trailers free of charge for area residents Saturday from 8 to 11:45 a.m. rain or shine.

The mulch and compost stockpile is located at the street department garage property, 1815 Eagle St., directly behind Ring Lardner Middle School. Residents wishing to load the material into their own containers or vehicles are welcome to do so during these same hours.

The mulch, commonly used for gardens and planting areas, is the end product of the street department’s very popular brush chipping program. The compost is the end product of the annual fall leaf collection program and is ideal for use in gardens and on lawns.

Two years ago the DPW started the leaf composting operation and currently three rows, each approximately 250 feet long, are in varying stages of decomposition. The rows are regularly turned by street department employees during the composting process. This is the first year that compost material has been offered to the general public.

Residents are reminded that state law requires that all loads must be covered; therefore, loads must be covered before leaving the street department property.

The City of Niles reserves the right to limit quantities.