The Streets Department’s Leaf and Recycling Program will begin on Monday, Nov. 10, and will run through Friday, Dec. 19.
This year’s leaf program has some changes.
Bagged leaves will not be collected curbside. Bagged leaf drop-off will be offered citywide on Saturdays (with the exception of the Saturdays following Veterans Day and Thanksgiving) at 22 designated locations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the duration of the program.
Mechanical leaf collection will be provided as a supplement to bagged collections 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 collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.
The bagged-leaf drop points for the Northeast are:
• 1400 Cottman Ave., the Jardel Rec Center, Pennway and Cottman.
• 2901 Princeton Ave., the Mayfair Rec Center.
• 7901 Ridgeway Street, the Fox Chase Rec Center.
• 8101 Bustleton Ave., the Pelbano Rec Center
• 2900 Comly Road, Palmer Playground.
• 7231 Torresdale Ave., Russo Park.
Bagged leaves will be accepted only 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 pounds each. Bagged leaves may also be taken to State Road and Ashburner Street.
Leaves set out curbside, either in other bags or containers, will be collected as rubbish, not recycling.
Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:
• All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7 a.m. 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.
• During this six-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees. Residents may call the Streets Department’s Customer Affairs Unit at 215–686–5560 or visit www.philadelphiastreets.com
Mechanical leaf collection schedule for Northeast Philly
• Monday, Nov. 24: Worthington Road to County Line Road, from Byberry Road to County Line Road.
• Tuesday, Nov, 25: Verree Road to Bustleton Avenue, from Grant Avenue to Morefield Road.
• Wednesday, Nov. 26: Morefield Road to Welsh Road, from Verree Road to Pine Road.
• Thursday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving, no collections.
• Friday, Nov. 28: Welsh Road to Bloomfield Avenue, from Verree Road to Pine Road.
• Monday, Dec. 1: Verree Road to Krewstown Road, from Rising Sun Avenue to Grant Avenue; Verree Road to Rising Sun Avenue, from Susquehanna Road to Rhawn Street.
• Tuesday, Dec. 2: Oxford Avenue to Pennway Street, from Cottman Avenue to Magee Street; Oxford Avenue to City Limits, from Cottman Avenue to Rhawn Street
• Wednesday, Dec. 3: Rhawn Street to Welsh Road, from Holme Avenue to Rowland Avenue.
• Thursday, Dec. 4: Bustleton Avenue to Roosevelt Boulevard, from Grant Avenue to Lott Street; Orchard Lane to Clarendon Road, from Knights Road to Crestmont Road.
• Friday, Dec. 5: Frankford Avenue to State Road, from Grant Avenue to Linden Avenue. ••
