PHILADELPHIA – The Streets Department’s 2023 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, November 6 and runs through Saturday, December 16. The program is one of several services provided by the Streets Department to honor the City’s on-going commitment to recycling by helping to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.

During the six-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided 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, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.

2023 mechanical leaf collection schedule:

  • Oak Lane & Frankford: November 6—10
  • West & South: November 13—17
  • Northeast: November 20— December 1
  • Northwest: December 4—15

Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:

  • To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection
  • View schedule.
  • Visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling to search an address.
  • View city-wide map.
  • Check your neighborhood newspaper
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Residents in mechanical areas can also drop off bagged leaves.
  • Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.

Bagged leaves may be taken to any of the City’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8a-6p.

 

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 11
  • November 18
  • December 2
  • December 9
  • December 16

 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 six-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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