City gives update on curbside leaf collection

Next Two-Week Cycle Begins October 31; Residents Asked to Keep Leaves 10 Feet from Mailboxes and Storm Drains

The City of Naperville's 2011 bulk curbside leaf collection program is now underway. The first two-week collection cycle began Monday, October 17 and is expected to be finished on schedule. The second two-week collection cycle will begin on Monday, October 31. A map showing collection routes as well as areas where collection has already occurred is available to view at www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection.aspx. The map will be continually updated throughout the program.

Please note that in order to minimize the disruption of mail service and reduce the possibility of flooding, the City asks residents to keep their leaves 10 feet away from mailboxes and storm drains.

The bulk curbside program provides every neighborhood with three collection opportunities during the program's six-week period, weather permitting. To participate, residents rake leaves into the street, next to the curb and avoiding storm drains, at the beginning of each of the three leaf collection cycles.

Depending on the weather, it will take crews approximately two weeks to complete each Citywide collection cycle. Crews will collect leaves in front of each home once during each two-week collection cycle. The final Citywide collection cycle begins on November 14. Leaves must be raked into the street by 6 a.m. on the remaining dates:

• Monday, October 31 (beginning of 2nd cycle)

• Monday, November 14 (beginning of 3rd cycle)

The City uses specialized mechanical equipment to collect leaves from the street. Leaf volume and weather uncertainties make it impossible for the City to guarantee curbside leaf collection on a specific day.

Residents should note the following:

• Snow, rain or freezing weather may significantly delay or permanently halt curbside leaf collection. If snow is forecast, residents should bag the remaining leaves as leaf collection may end or be significantly delayed.

• Rake leaves to the street during every collection cycle, even if it is a small amount. This helps prevent the final collection crews from having the largest quantity to pick up, when snow is the most probable and timing is crucial.

• Avoid placing items other than leaves in leaf piles. Branches, twigs, lumber, rocks and items other than leaves buried in leaf piles can cause mechanical breakdowns of leaf equipment, delay the collection process and increase the cost of the program.

• Rake leaves away from storm drains in the street to prevent flooding.

• The mechanical curbside leaf collection equipment will leave debris on the street. Street sweeping will begin after curbside leaf collection ends, weather permitting. Residents may choose to sweep up leaf debris and include it in the bagged collection program.

Once crews have completed the final collection in your area, all remaining leaves must be bagged for pickup through the bagged leaf and yard waste collection program.

Free Bagged Leaf and Yard Waste Collection Program

The City encourages residents to take advantage of the free bagged leaf and yard waste collection program, which helps to handle the huge volume of fall leaves. The program runs from November 7 to December 16, 2011.

To participate, fill 32-gallon paper yard waste bags with leaves and other yard waste. Leaves and yard waste placed in paper yard waste bags will not require stickers from November 7 to December 16. Branches and other yard waste that are tied into bundles require a sticker at all times. There is a 60 pound maximum per bag. Please be aware that wet leaves will add to the weight of the bag. Place the bags at the curb by 6 a.m. on your normal trash collection day.

Prior to November 7, a yard waste sticker is required on each bag or bundle placed out for collection. Stickers can be purchased at many Naperville stores or in the Finance Department at the Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. The hours for the Finance Department are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paper yard waste bags are available at local grocery and hardware stores; the City does not provide yard waste bags.

Detailed information on the City's leaf collection programs is available on the City's website at www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection.aspx. If you have questions about the City's leaf collection programs, please call the Department of Public Works at (630) 420-6095.