The City once again is offering residents an opportunity to recycle fall leaves. The 2019 Leaf Recycling Program begins Tuesday, Nov. 12 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 21. During this time, residents have a few options to participate in the program.

Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays (except for November 16th and 30th) at 13 designated locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the duration of the program. The locations in West Philadelphia are: 

• 54th and Woodbine Ave.
• 43rd and Powelton

Residents are asked to place leaves in large brown biodegradable paper bags before dropping them off. These bags can be processed for recycling along with the leaves, which reduces contamination in the recycling process. Use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 lbs. each. Bags may be purchased at most hardware stores; they are not provided by the Streets Department. Please don’t mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves.

Bagged leaves may also be taken to any of the Sanitation Convenience Centers:

• 3033 S. 63rd St. (63rd & Passyunk Ave.)
• 5100 Grays Ave.

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.

To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection, you can view the schedule here or visit http://alpha.property.phila.gov/ to input an address.

All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary). Residents in mechanical areas can also drop off bagged leaves. In other areas, leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash (not recycling).

During this six-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like, fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees. For more information, please visit http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/leaves or call 311.