2022 Fall Leaf Collection Programs

Free bagged leaf collection begins October 1 and the City's on-street collection program in designated areas will begin on Monday, October 31 (weather permitting). These programs help residents remove seasonal yard waste, as well as lessen the potential for flooding from excess leaves left in the street that can block storm sewer drains.

Free Yard Waste Bag Collection

Waste Management does not require stickers for yard waste bags October 1 through November 30. Bagged leaves are collected weekly on residents' regular garbage pickup day. While bagged leaves will be collected through December 9, stickers are required December 5-9. No yard waste will be collected December 10, 2022 through March 31, 2023.

Yard waste is collected weekly April 1 - November 30 on your scheduled pick-up day.

When are stickers required? One garbage sticker must be affixed to each bag of yard waste for collection from May 1 through September 30.

State law prohibits the disposal of leaves and other yard waste in landfills; therefore, these materials cannot be placed in plastic garbage bags or mixed with normal garbage. Please also be aware that leaf burning is prohibited in Elgin.

Yard waste includes materials such as leaves, brush, branches, grass clippings, plants, weeds and other similar waste. Yard waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags (maximum 33 gallons and 45 pounds) for collection. Yard waste placed in plastic bags will not be collected.

On-Street Leaf Collection

Beginning Monday, October 31, weather permitting, the City of Elgin will collect leaves raked out into the street in designated areas through Friday, December 9. Leaves should be raked along the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the designated area's special collection day, shown on map below. The on-street collection day may differ from one's bagged leaf collection day. Leaves placed in the street after the crews have passed will not be collected until the next scheduled date.

Please do not mix trash, branches or other yard waste with leaf piles. Avoid parking on the street on scheduled leaf collection days; leaf piles blocked by cars will not be collected.

Residents in the on-street collection areas may also place leaves in yard waste bags for collection by Waste Management on regular garbage collection days October 1 through December 9.

As part of Elgin's sustainability efforts, residents are encouraged to compost leaves or mulch leaves into their lawn with a lawnmower. Mulching controls weeds, uses less fertilizer, enables better water infiltration, reduces thatch and improves soil quality.

Please remember that weather and other delays may affect the published schedule. In the event of snow, all on-street leaf collection will cease as snow and ice control operations take priority. Therefore, residents are encouraged to bag leaves for weekly collection by Waste Management whenever inclement weather is forecast.