Above / Local brilliance throughout Naperville neighborhoods was interrupted by wind and rain on Oct. 12, 2020. Autumn leaves are falling fast! (PN Photo, Oct. 11, 2020)
Update, Oct. 19, 2020 / Reminder! The first of three rounds, two weeks each, of curbside leaf collection begins on Oct. 19, followed by Nov. 2 and Nov. 16. What a difference wind, rain and a week make for rakes and leaf blowers…
Original Post, Oct. 12, 2020 / Residents can take advantage of two City of Naperville programs to dispose of leaves this season as they change color and fall. One choice is the popular bulk curbside leaf collection program and the other one is the free bagged leaf and yard waste collection program.
Bulk curbside leaf collections begin Oct. 19, Nov. 2 & Nov. 16
The City’s bulk curbside leaf collection program will begin on Mon., Oct. 19. This free program provides every neighborhood three collection opportunities during a six-week period, weather permitting.
To participate, rake leaves into the street next to the curb by 6AM on the first day of each collection cycle. Care should be taken to avoid storm drains. Collection cycles are scheduled to begin on Mon., Oct. 19; Mon., Nov. 2; and Mon., Nov. 16.
Depending on the weather, it will take crews approximately two weeks to complete each citywide collection. Crews will collect leaves in front of each home once during each cycle.
An interactive map will be available at www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection to track progress of the collection cycles. Residents also can sign up for the City’s notification system, Naper Notify, at www.napernotify.com to receive leaf collection information via a phone call, text message, email or smartphone app.
Residents should know and prepare
- Snow, rain or freezing weather may significantly delay or permanently halt curbside leaf collection. If snow is forecast, leaf collection may end or be significantly delayed. Residents should dispose of remaining leaves through the City’s weekly yard waste collection program.
- Leaf volume and weather uncertainties make it impossible for the City to guarantee curbside leaf collection on a specific day.
- 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 other items buried in leaf piles can cause mechanical breakdowns of equipment, delay the collection process and increase costs.
- Rake leaves away from storm drains to prevent flooding.
- 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 weekly yard waste collection program.
Once crews have completed the final bulk curbside collection in your area, all remaining leaves must be disposed of through the City’s weekly yard waste collection program.
Free Bagged Leaf & Yard Waste Collection Program / Nov. 2-Dec. 18
The City’s free bagged leaf and yard waste collection program is scheduled to run from November 2 to December 18. During this time, residents are not required to use yard waste stickers to dispose of materials placed in 32-gallon paper yard waste bags, clearly marked 32-gallon trash cans or clearly marked two-wheeled carts. “Yard Waste Only” labels are available at the Public Works Service Center, 180 Fort Hill Drive, for purposes of clearly marking receptacles containing yard waste. Place yard waste at the curb by 6AM on your normal trash collection day.
Branches and other yard waste materials that are tied into bundles require a yard waste sticker at all times. Prior to November 2, a yard waste sticker is required on each bag, can or cart placed out for collection.
Yard waste collection ends Dec. 18, 2020, begins again March 2, 2021
All yard waste collection ends for the year on December 18. This includes the City’s yard waste/organics collection program that allows residents to bypass bagging and stickers by utilizing a provided cart to dispose of food waste/organics and yard waste for a monthly fee paid to Groot Industries.
Yard waste collection will begin again on March 15, 2021.
Be safe. Never park on top of leaf piles!
For your safety, it’s never wise to park on big piles of dry leaves along the curb. Yes. Vehicles parked on top of leaves piled along the curb have burst into flames right here in Naperville.
For more information on the bulk curbside leaf collection or bagged leaf and yard waste collection programs, visit www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection.
