Details on Fall 2022 Leaf Collection

Fall is a beautiful time to live and work in University City. We are lucky to have a stunning canopy of trees, and watching the leaves turn helps announce the true arrival of autumn to the area. Of course, with changing leaves comes major clean-up duties this time of year. Below, read about upcoming leaf collection options provided by the City.

In addition to the services being offered by the City, our PSM team is offering collection of bagged leaves and yard waste on Saturday, December 3rd for residents living within the University City coverage zone who contact us to set up a collection. Neighbors must place bagged leaves in brown, biodegradable paper bags on their street corners for pick-up after 1 PM. Sign up your block by email or by calling us at 215-243-0555. 

The City's annual leaf recycling program, provided by the Streets Department, encourages residents to recycle leaves to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream. Mechanical collection and bagged drop-off services also help to save space in local landfills. During the six-week program running from November 7th, 2022 through December 17th, residents may take bagged leaves to any of the City's six Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. In West Philadelphia, the center is located at 5100 Grays Avenue. 

Bagged leaf drop-off is also offered citywide on Saturdays at 13 locations from 9 AM to 3 PM. Only bagged leaves and yard waste will be accepted at these locations. Please do not include household rubbish in bags. In our neighborhood, you may drop off bags at N. 43rd and Powelton Avenue, on the sidewalk of 4200 Powelton Avenue, close to 43rd Street.

The dates for dropping off bagged leaves will be:

• Saturday, November 19th from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, December 3rd from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, December 10th from 9 AM to 3 PM
• Saturday, December 17th from 9 AM to 3 PM 

Bagged leaf drop-off collection tips:

• Residents must place leaves in large brown biodegradable paper bags. Using these bags helps eliminate the extensive process of ripping open, dumping, and disposing of plastic bags. Bags can be purchased at your local hardware store.
• Never mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling purposes.

Additionally, the City will offer mechanical leaf collection in certain high-accumulation zones to supplement bagged collections. This service is offered on a designated weekly schedule, which includes collection in West Philadelphia from November 14th - 18th in the zone indicated below on the map (from 38th to 52nd, and from Baltimore Avenue to Spruce Street). Leaf collection is currently delayed, but should take place before Friday, November 25th.  

When mechanical leaf collection occurs, residents are asked to:

• Rake leaves into the street by 7 AM on the collection day for your area
• Do not bag or pile leaves
• Move your vehicle to an off-street parking location on your scheduled collection day, if possible