PHILADELPHIA – The Department of Sanitation’s 2024 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, November 4 and runs through Saturday, December 21. The program is one of several services provided by the Department of Sanitation to honor the City’s on-going commitment to recycling by helping to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream. The program runs for seven weeks this year as mechanical leaf collection will take place in the areas of Washington West and Society Hill.
During the seven-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves and multiple tree canopies. The mechanical leaf collection operation will include leaf blowers, mechanical sweepers, and leaf loaders. Crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.
2024 mechanical leaf collection schedule:
West: November 11 – November 15
Northeast: November 18 – November 22
Northeast: November 25 – November 29
South: December 2 – December 6
Northwest: December 9 – December 13
Northwest: December 16 – December 20
- To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection:
- View schedule.
- Visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling to search an address.
- View city-wide map.
- Check neighborhood newspaper for articles or ads
- All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 AM the day of mechanical collection. Rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary).
- If possible, move your vehicle to an off-street parking location on your scheduled collection day, so crews can remove leaves along the curb line.
- Residents in mechanical areas can also drop off bagged leaves.
- Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.
- Bagged leaves may be taken to any of the City’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8a-6p.
- West Philadelphia 3033 S. 63rd Street (63rd & Passyunk Ave.)
- Northwest Philadelphia Domino Lane and Umbria Street
- Northeast Philadelphia State Road and Ashburner Street
- North Philadelphia 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue
- Port Richmond Delaware Avenue & Wheatsheaf Lane
- West Philadelphia 5100 Grays Ave.
- November 9
- November 23
- December 7
- December 14
- December 21
| Drop-off Location | Area |
| 15th & Bigler Sts. | South Philadelphia |
| 43rd & Powelton Sts. | West Philadelphia |
| 4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Rec Center) | Germantown |
| 54th & Woodbine Ave. | West Philadelphia |
| 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec Center) | Northeast |
| American & Thompson Sts. | North Philadelphia |
| Broad & Christian Sts. | South Philadelphia |
| Castor & Foulkrod Sts. | Frankford |
| Cathedral St. & Ridge Ave. | Northwest |
| Corinthian & Poplar Sts. | North Philadelphia |
| Graver Lane & Seminole St. | Northwest |
| Pennway St & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec Center) | Northeast |
| Washington La & Ardleigh St. | Northwest |
Follow these tips for bagged leaf collection:
- Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags. These bags can be processed for recycling along with the leaves. This reduces contamination in the recycling process.
- Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling purposes.
- Use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 lbs. each.
- Bags may be purchased at most hardware stores. Bags are not provided by the Streets Department.
- Leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash, not recycling.
There will be no collection of leaves on City-observed holidays. During this seven-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like, fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees. For more information, residents can visit www.phila.gov/leaf-recycling or call 311.