Elgin extends leaf collection an extra week

With a later leaf drop after a hot, dry summer and favorable weather in the forecast, the city of Elgin is extending its fall leaf collection another week.

Neighborhoods that get on-street leaf collection will see trucks out until Dec. 10. Waste management will also be picking up bagged yard waste during that window, with free pickup extended through the end of this week. Stickers will be required beginning Monday. All leaf collection ends Dec. 10.

Public Works Superintendent Aaron Neal said that, so far this year, crews have picked up about 70% of the volume collected in 2020.

"We figured with the weather being favorable, let's just extend it one additional week to try and collect everything that's out there," Neal said.

The city uses the same equipment for leaf collection as they use for snow and ice removal.

Neal said city street sweepers will be out the days following the leaf pickup to "make sure everything's good to go as we go into winter."

The city's boundaries for the different types of leaf collection were established in 1983, with neighborhoods with more mature trees getting the on-street pickup. Neal said the boundaries haven't changed in 38 years, and a change would have to be approved by the city council.