Philadelphia  – The Sanitation Department’s 2025 Fall Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, November 3 and runs through Saturday, December 20.  The program is one of several services provided by the Sanitation 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 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.

2025 Mechanical Leaf collection Schedule:

• Oak Lane & Frankford: November 3 – November 7
• West: November 10 – November 14
• Northeast: November 17 – November 21
• Northeast: November 24 – November 28
• South: December 1 – December 5
• Northwest: December 8 – December 12
• Northwest: December 15 – December 19

Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:

• To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection:
• View schedule.
• Visit gov/leaf-recyclingto search an address.
• View city-wide map.
• Check neighborhood newspaper for articles or ads
• 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 Leaf Drop-off

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

• West Philadelphia 3033 S. 63^rd Street (63^rd & Passyunk Ave.)
• Northwest Philadelphia Domino Lane and Umbria Street
• Northeast Philadelphia State Road and Ashburner Street
• North Philadelphia 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue
• Port Richmond Delaware Avenue & Wheatsheaf Lane
• West Philadelphia 5100 Grays Ave.

Bagged leaf drop-off will also be offered citywide on the following Saturdays only at 13 locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.

• November 8
• November 22
• December 6
• December 13
• December 20

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 Sanitation 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.