City of Philadelphia, PA

10/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2024 11:42

2024 Fall Leaf Recycling Program

PHILADELPHIA - The Department of Sanitation's 2024 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, November 4 and runs through Saturday, December 21. The program is one of several services provided by the Department of Sanitation to honor the City's on-going commitment to recycling by helping to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream. The program runs for seven weeks this year as mechanical leaf collection will take place in the areas of Washington West and Society Hill.

During the seven-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves and multiple tree canopies. The mechanical leaf collection operation will include leaf blowers, mechanical sweepers, and leaf loaders. Crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.

2024 mechanical leaf collection schedule:

Oak Lane & Frankford: November 4 - November 8
West: November 11 - November 15
Northeast: November 18 - November 22
Northeast: November 25 - November 29
South: December 2 - December 6
Northwest: December 9 - December 13
Northwest: December 16 - December 20
Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:
  • To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection:
  • 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).
Bagged leaf drop-off will also be offered city-wide on the following Saturdays only at 13 locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.
  • November 9
  • November 23
  • December 7
  • December 14
  • December 21
Bagged Leaf Drop-Off Locations
Drop-off Location Area
15th & Bigler Sts. South Philadelphia
43rd & Powelton Sts. West Philadelphia
4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Rec Center) Germantown
54th & Woodbine Ave. West Philadelphia
7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec Center) Northeast
American & Thompson Sts. North Philadelphia
Broad & Christian Sts. South Philadelphia
Castor & Foulkrod Sts. Frankford
Cathedral St. & Ridge Ave. Northwest
Corinthian & Poplar Sts. North Philadelphia
Graver Lane & Seminole St. Northwest
Pennway St & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec Center) Northeast
Washington La & Ardleigh St. Northwest

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.
  • Leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash, not recycling.

There will be no collection of leaves on City-observed holidays. During this seven-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like, fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees. For more information, residents can visit www.phila.gov/leaf-recycling or call 311.

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