PHILADELPHIA – The Streets Department’s 2019 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Tuesday, November 12 and runs through Saturday, December 21. The program is one of several services provided by the Streets Department to honor the City’s on-going commitment to recycling by helping to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.
Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered city-wide on Saturdays (except for November 16th and 30th) at 13 designated locations from 9 AM to 3 PM for the duration of the program.
Mechanical leaf collection will be provided as a supplement in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves. The mechanical leaf collection operation will include leaf blowers, mechanical sweepers, and leaf loaders. Mechanical leaf collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.
Follow these tips for bagged leaf collection:
- Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags. These bags can be processed for recycling along with the leaves. This reduces contamination in the recycling process.
- Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling purposes.
- Use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 lbs. each.
- Bags may be purchased at most hardware stores. Bags are not provided by the Streets Department.
- Bagged leaves may also be taken to any of the Sanitation Convenience Centers:
West Philadelphia 3033 S. 63rd Street (63rd & Passyunk Ave.)
Northwest Philadelphia Domino Lane and Umbria Street
Northeast Philadelphia State Road and Ashburner Street
North Philadelphia 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue
Port Richmond Delaware Avenue & Wheatsheaf Lane
West Philadelphia 5100 Grays Ave.
Leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash, not recycling.
Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:
- To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection
- View schedule.
- Visit http://alpha.property.phila.gov/ to input an address.
- Check your neighborhood newspaper
- All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 AM the day of mechanical collection. Rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary).
- If possible, move your vehicle to an off-street parking location on your scheduled collection day, so crews can remove leaves along the curb line.
- Residents in mechanical areas can also drop off bagged leaves.
- Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.
There will be no collection of leaves on City holidays. During this six-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like, fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees. For more information, residents can visit http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/leaves or call 311.
