LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM

Leaf Collection Program Scheduled for November 16 through December 31: Residents on most City streets can rake leaves to the curb at anytime during the seven-week program and the leaves are collected by special vacuum equipped trucks. City leaf crews will be driving through the City collecting piles within two weeks of their appearance at the curb, starting November 16, 2009. For residents on Piney Branch Road and Philadelphia Avenue, collection will occur on November 19th and December 21st; for residents on Carroll Avenue, Ethan Allen Avenue and Flower Avenue (from Carroll Avenue to Piney Branch Road), collection will occur on November 23 and December 17 only.

Residents can also leave a message on the Leaf Collection Hotline, 301-891-7626, when they have a pile ready for pick up.As always this collection is highly affected by the weather. Rain and freezing conditions can delay collection.

Please follow these guidelines for vacuum leaf collection:

1. Rake leaves into a pile at the edge of the curb. Do Not rake leaves into the street. Wet leaves can create traffic hazards.
2. Pile leaves away from cars. Do Not park your car in front of a leaf pile if possible and when raking please try to avoid piling leaves where cars are parked.
3. The vacuum leaf collection is for leaves only. Do Not include branches, brush, rocks or debris. These items can seriously damage equipment and delay collection.
4. Do Not rake leaves near storm drains. Leaves can block the storm drains and cause flooding problems.

Collection for other yard materials is available through the regular Monday yard waste collection program. The Monday collection requires leaves and loose yard materials to be in paper bags, trash cans or stiff-sided containers. Plastic bags cannot be used for yard material because these items are composted and the plastic interferes with the composting process. Branches must be less than 4 feet long and less than 3 inches in diameter and tied into small bundles or stacked in a trash can. The Monday yard waste collection is cancelled on weeks with a Monday holiday.

Leaf Mulch Available

The leaves collected in the fall vacuum collection program are ground and are available in the spring as shredded leaf mulch. The mulch is stored at the Public Works Department, 31 Oswego Avenue, and can be self-hauled for free. Deliveries can also be arranged in the spring and early summer by calling the Public Works Department, 301.891.7633. The City charges a fee for the delivery and has 3, 7 and 10 yard loads available. For more information about mulch click here.

The Public Works Department welcomes your comments and suggestions about the service we are providing. Please contact Public Works at 301.891.7633