LEAF COLLECTION 2009
The City's fiscal year 2009-2010 budget eliminated the Loose Leaf Collection program. This decision was made, in part due to citizen feedback through the Budget Survey conducted in March, 2009, during which 86 percent of respondents were willing to accept elimination of loose leaf collection to assist in balancing the budget. Therefore, the City will provide neither free nor paid Loose Leaf Collections this fall.
Bagged Leaves and Regular Bulk Items Will Be Collected on Alternating Weeks:
Beginning
Monday, November 16th
Ending
Friday, December 18th
Week Of: | Collect: |
November 16th | Bagged Leaves / No Bulk |
November 23rd | Bulk Only / No Leaves |
November 30th | Bagged Leaves / No Bulk |
December 7th | Bulk Only / No Leaves |
December 14th | Bagged Leaves / No Bulk |
An easy way to remember: Bagged Leaves will be collected the same week as Paper Recycling
Leaf Collection Video from City of Roanoke on Vimeo.
Citizens may use standard plastic leaf bags or 30 gal. Biodegradable paper bags, available from local hardware stores and home centers.
Households may put 25 plastic bags to the curb per collection
OR
Households may put an UNLIMITED NUMBER of biodegradable paper bags to the curb per collection week
Reminder: As of 9/8/2009, it is a violation of City Code section 14.1 to rake loose leaves into the City's right-of-way. There will be strict enforcement by City inspectors. If leaves remain in the right-of-way after a 72-hour removal notice, the City will have the leaves removed and bill the adjoining parcel owner.
Alternatives to Bagged Leaf Collection:
- Use the cheap, easy and environmentally friendly method of dealing with fallen leaves – weekly Mulch-Mowing. Mown leaves will seemingly disappear as they filter into the turfgrass canopy. This easy process eliminates many hours of raking, bagging, and hauling leaves to the curb.
- Construct a Compost Bin on your property and use those composted leaves in your garden or flower bed next year adding organic matter and reducing the need for fertilizer applications.
- Call a local Lawn/Landscape Contractor and have them remove your leaves
- Utilize Roanoke Valley Resource Authority (RVRA) located at 1020 Hollins Road. RVRA's Residential Disposal Policy allows 20 free visits per year. Bagged leaves or loose leaves using a 3/4 -ton pickup truck or small trailer (less than 8-foot and loads must be covered). Visit http://www.rvra.net for details
Got Leaves? Follow Mother Nature’s recycling example:
There is a way to free your weekends this autumn and eliminate the chore of raking leaves forever. Mulch-Mowing, the quickest and easiest method of removing fallen leaves, is a simple process. Your mower becomes a “food processor” for your lawn by chopping both leaves and grass clippings many times before depositing the bits right back into the turfgrass.
Specifically-designed mulch-mowers (with enclosed decks and special blades) may work best, but virtually any rotary mower will do the trick when an $10 mulching blade or a mulching kit is installed. The secret to mulch-mowing is: 1. Mow every week just as you would during the growing season; 2. Set your mower to 3” or greater cutting height; and 3. If multiple passes are required, make them at perpendicular angles. Often the chopped leaves will disappear into the turfgrass with a single pass, eventually incorporating into the topsoil, reducing water and fertilizer needs over time.
Mulch-Mowing helps Mother Nature keep your lawn lush, green & healthy while saving you time & labor. It also address two quality of life issues outlined in the City of Roanoke’s comprehensive plan:
A. Fewer leaves in the street mean better environmental stewardship:
- Loose Leaves may clog the City’s storm drain system potentially flooding both streets & properties.
- Loose Leaf pile storm water runoff dumps phosphorus leachate into the Roanoke’s streams and rivers potentially decreasing oxygen availability for fish and other aquatic life.
B. Fewer leaves in the street mean cleaner, safer, & more aesthetically pleasing streets:
- Loose Leaves may become dangerous unseen obstacles if workers have to plow an early season snow.
- Loose Leaves may become slippery when wet, creating potential hazards for pedestrians.
- Loose Leaves may become fire hazards if a vehicle’s exhaust or a careless cigarette comes into contact with dry leaves.