LEAF COLLECTION 10/19-12/23
Falls Church City work crews will collect loose leaves from Oct. 19 through Dec. 23 except for holidays.
Residents who wish to have their loose leaves collected by the City are advised to rake their leaves to the curb, but avoid gutters and sidewalks wherever possible. Please allow one week (weather permitting) to finish each zone. Crews will continue to pass through areas until the Dec. 23 cutoff date.
Residents must keep all other collection material at least five feet away from leaf piles. Do not mix brush or other items with leaves. These items may injure City crews, damage equipment, damage private property, and cause delays.
2009 Leaf Collection Schedule (Subject to Change)
Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 30
• Areas south of Broad Street (Tuesday and Wednesday Collection Zones)
Monday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 13
• Areas north of Broad Street (Thursday and Friday Collection Zones)
• No collection on Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day)
Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 27
• Areas south of Broad Street (Tuesday and Wednesday Collection Zones)
• No collection on Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) or Friday, Nov. 27 (Holiday)
Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 11
• Areas north of Broad Street (Thursday and Friday Collection Zones)
Monday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 18
• Areas south of Broad Street (Tuesday and Wednesday Collection Zones)
Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23
• Areas north of Broad Street (Tuesday and Wednesday Collection Zones)
For more information, call the Operations Division at 703-248-5281 (TTY 711).
Bundled brush and yard waste bag collection will continue throughout the leaf collection season. As usual, bundles and bags must be properly prepared for collection. Special collections will also continue uninterrupted.
The City waives brush collection requirements only when a federal or state disaster is declared. Call 703-248-5200 for updates.
The leaves that are collected will be processed into high-quality leaf mulch and offered back to residents in January (leaf mulch applications will be posted online in January). To request information on how to set up backyard compost, call the Environmental Programs Specialist at 703-248-5176 (TTY 711).
By Special to the Falls Church Times
October 16, 2009
Well, the sky may be falling everywhere else in the City, but the leaves are certainly not falling in mid-October. Why does the CIty insist on starting leaf collection so early? Leaf collection is a separate cost item in the budget so operating the trucks and crew for two weeks with very little benefit does indeed have a monetary impact and yes I have written to the City Manager in the past suggesting the schedule change.
Both of our larger county neighbors don’t bother starting pickup until early November – why don’t we?
I think John raises a great point – he should send it to budget@fallschurchva.gov, the email address the City Manager has going for people to make budget related suggestions.
I’m guessing it’s too late to change anything for this year – but why not go ahead and get it changed for next year?
Perhaps the leaves are falling at higher elevations in the city where it is cooler, whereas lower elevations like John’s are holding on to their leaves!
I was also thinking the collecting was starting earlier than needed, but then the leaves started falling, and fast. I wonder if this program will be on the chopping block soon?