Solid Waste Management
LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM
Loose Leaf Collection 2008
As in the past two years, your loose leaf collection week is based upon your trash collection day:
If Your Trash Collection is on: | Your Loose Leaf Collection is Scheduled for the week |
Mondays | Monday, Nov. 17–Friday, Nov. 21 |
Thursdays | Monday, Dec. 1–Friday, Dec. 5 |
Tuesdays | Monday, Dec. 8–Friday, Dec. 12 |
Wednesdays | Monday, Dec. 15–Friday, Dec. 19 |
There will only be One (1) Free Loose Leaf Collection in your Neighborhood
- Leaves must be raked to the curb (not into the street) by 7:00am on Monday of your neighborhood's scheduled collection week.
- After leaves are collected in your neighborhood, crews will only return for a $40 service fee. Call 853-2676.
- Once scheduled leaf collection is complete, property owners will be notified to remove any leaves in the right-of-way adjoining their property. For noncompliance, the City will remove and bill the property owner.
- An informational postcard will be delivered by US Mail to each of the City’s 49,000+/- households on or around Nov 1.
- Informational ads will be published in both the Roanoke Tribune and the Roanoke Times depicting the collection schedule
- If necessary, any collection schedule updates will be provided through our normal media channels: Roanoke Times/Roanoke Tribune; www.Roanokeva.gov; RVTV Channel 3; myroanoke.com service; and printed updates at the City’s libraries, fire stations, recreation centers, & municipal buildings
For questions about Loose Leaf Collection call 853-2676
Alternatives to City 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 back-breaking work 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 chemical fertilizer applications.
- Bag your leaves for free weekly collection by Solid Waste Management crews from November 17th to December 19th; after December 19th, only 6 bags per week will be collected as bulk items.
- Call a local Lawn/Landscape Contractor and have them rake and remove your leaves
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 essentially 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. Upon decomposition, the new organic matter incorporates into the topsoil, reducing water and fertilizer needs over time.
Mulch-Mowing helps Mother Nature keep your lawn lush, green and healthy and saves you time and 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:
- Leaf piles may clog the City’s storm drain system potentially flooding both streets & properties.
- 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:
- Leaf piles may become dangerous unseen obstacles if workers have to plow an early season snow.
- Leaf piles may become slippery when wet, creating potential hazards for pedestrians.
- Leaf piles may become fire hazards if a vehicle’s exhaust or a careless cigarette comes into contact with dry leaves.
Roanoke's leaf collection program is a combined effort of the city’s Department of Public Works – Divisions of Transportation and Solid Waste Management, with assistance from the Sheriff's Office and several vehicles on loan from the Department of Parks and Recreation.
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