UPDATE 2014: Leaves are falling early this autumn. Already residents are raking and blowing leaves into piles along the curb where many parents drop off and pick up school children. According to the City’s website, the schedule for curbside leaf collection begins on Oct. 20.
In the spirit of Naperville Public Safety Month, be mindful never to park on piles of leaves along the curb. Two years ago on Halloween, a parent waiting to pick up a child after school had parked over a pile of leaves near one of the city’s elementary schools. Within minutes, the car was engulfed in flames and destroyed in seconds. Fortunately, the driver escaped in time.
According to the City’s website, leaves must be raked into the street by 6AM on the following dates:
- Monday, October 20, 2014
- Monday, November 3, 2014
- Monday, November 17, 2014
If the schedule changes due to the wind and the rain creating conditions that must be addressed earlier, we’ll let you know. Otherwise, the news release from 2013 provides information that applies for 2014.
Updated Post from Oct. 18, 2013: Weather permitting, Naperville neighborhoods will have three curbside leaf disposal opportunities over a six-week period…
The City of Naperville’s bulk curbside leaf collection 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 in front of a house 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 in mid-November.
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, Note! Prevent fires & flooding
Snow, rain or freezing weather may significantly delay or permanently halt curbside leaf collection.
If snow is forecast, residents should bag any 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 free bagged leaf and yard waste collection program runs from November 3 to December 12, 2014.
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 3 to December 12. 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 6AM on your normal trash collection day. Prior to November 3, a yard waste sticker is required on each bag or bundle placed out for collection. Paper yard waste bags are available at local grocery and hardware stores; the City does not provide yard waste bags.
Weekly bag or bundled yard waste collection ends for the year in mid-December. Yard waste collection will begin again in March 2015.
For more information on the bulk curbside leaf collection or bagged leaf and yard waste collection programs, visit www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection.aspx.
RELATED POSTS: Since this current website was launched in 2012, many related stories have been saved in the PN Archive. Always be sure to look at the date/year of the post. For instance, use the “Search of Something” tool on the blue navigation bar to find other stories about “Leaf collection” or “Public Safety.” Thanks.
