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*** Important Leaf Collection Reminder ***
The Solid Waste & Recycling division URGES RESIDENTS to REMOVE any twigs and sticks from leaf collection piles.
- Sticks larger than 6 inches in length can clog the leaf vacuum equipment and cause serious damage, delaying collection operations. Leaf piles must be free of twigs and branches to be collected by the leaf vacuum trucks.
- Small brush piles of twigs and sticks can be discarded in your YARDY cart.
Fall Loose Leaf Vacuum Collection | Oct. 16 - Dec. 8, 2023
Should weather or un-characteristically heavy volumes delay collection, crews will use Fridays and Saturdays to complete the area they were working in before moving on.
If you have any questions about which day your leaves will be collected, please call the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at 319-286-5897.
Additional Leaf Collection Options
YARDY Cart:
Customers can use their YARDY carts for the collection of leaves and other organic materials. YARDY carts are collected on a weekly basis throughout the year. Some customers have found that mulching leaves before placing in the YARDY cart increases the amount of material that will fit in the cart. There is a 300-pound weight limit for the 95-gallon YARDY cart.
Additional YARDY carts can be purchased for a one-time fee, which is added to your municipal utility bill. The additional YARDY cart is the property of the customer. For more information about purchasing additional YARDY carts, contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at (319) 286-5897.
Leaf Bags:
During fall and spring leaf vacuum collection periods, paper leaf bags can be used for any leaves that do not fit in your YARDY cart. Leaf bags will ONLY be picked up if they are placed at the curb with a filled YARDY cart. Each leaf bag must weigh less than 40 pounds.
Leaf Vacuum Program Basics
- Crews cannot collect leaves if piles have sticks mixed with the leaves. Please fill your YARDY cart with sticks and other yard waste. YARDY carts are collected all year long.
- Rake leaves into long piles on the parking area or grass next to the street. Leaves must be kept out of the street. The vacuum truck will not collect leaves from alleys.
- Keep leaf piles away from obstacles like your collection carts, mailboxes, cars and utility poles. If possible, removed parked cars from the street on collection days.
- During fall loose leaf collection, brown paper lawn and leaf bags are collected every week with the YARDY cart. Your YARDY cart must be used first; then paper lawn and leaf bags can be used for any additional leaves. Filled bags cannot exceed 40 pounds.
Program Benefits
The leaf vacuum program helps keep our lakes, rivers, and streams healthy, while protecting the safety of our community. When large numbers of leaves enter the storm sewer, the nutrients from decaying leaves overwhelm and choke out aquatic life. The leaf vacuum truck program keeps leaves out the street, reducing the number of leaves swept into the storm sewer and the likelihood of street flooding due to plugged drains. Keeping leaves out the street also reduces the risks associated with kids playing in leaf piles.2023 Fall Loose Leaf Collection Schedule
Note: Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, leaves will be collected on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and Friday, Nov. 24. Leaf collection will not occur on Thursday, Nov. 23.
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Southeast (SE) Quadrant Loose leaves will be collected on Mondays and Tuesdays. All leaves must be raked to the collection area by 7 a.m. on Monday. Collection days are scheduled for the weeks of:
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Northeast (NE) Quadrant Loose leaves will be collected on Mondays and Tuesdays. All leaves must be raked to the collection area by 7 a.m. on Monday. Collection days are scheduled for the weeks of:
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Southwest (SW) Quadrant Loose leaves will be collected on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All leaves must be raked to the collection area by 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Collection days are scheduled for the weeks of:
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Northwest (NW) Quadrant Loose leaves will be collected on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All leaves must be raked to the collection area by 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Collection days are scheduled for the weeks of:
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