Leaf Collection

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Our annual leaf collection program for 2022 has concluded. 

Please discontinue placing additional leaves in the street for collection. 

As the weather shifted yesterday resulting in accumulation of ice and snow we have transitioned to conducting snow and ice control operations. If there are leaves in the parking strip in front of your home, it has now become the responsibility of the property owner, or resident, to remove any leaves that have been raked into the street.

Thank you again for working with us to keep our community and roadways safe and beautiful.

 Area 2022 Dates
 Sunnyside Hill, SW Quadrant*  November 7, 8, 9
 Pioneer Hill, SE Quadrant November 10, 14, 15
 Military Hill, NW Quadrant November 16, 17, 18
 College Hill, NE Quadrant November 21, 22, 23 
*Sunnyside Hill includes Nicole Court, Sunrise Drive, Cory Lane, Golden Hills Drive, and the Evergreen Community.

The City's annual residential leaf collection program will begin Monday, November 7 and continue through Wednesday, November 23. After the leaves have been collected and as time allows street sweepers will follow for a more thorough cleaning. If there is a weather event resulting in accumulation of ice and/or snow between the listed dates, the leaf program may have to be suspended in favor of conducting snow and ice control operations. It may then become the responsibility of the property owner to remove any leaves that have been raked into the street.

What to do:

No more than two days before the scheduled collection in your area, please rake leaves into the street next to the curb. To facilitate access for city vehicles please park cars in a legal, off-street parking area during the dates city crews are scheduled for collection in your area.

What not to do:

Do not bag leaves. Leaves are recycled to be used as mulch and are delivered directly from street pickup to the mulch pile. Bagged leaves will not be collected. Please do not place anything other than leaves in your pile. Piles containing grass clipping, branches or any other debris will not be collected.

FAQs

When will leaf collection happen on my street?
There is no set schedule that identifies when each street will have leaves removed. The schedule identifies three days for each of the quadrants of town, as identified by the commonly known hill names.
What if my neighbor is parked on the street, can you make them move?
The city is simply making a request that citizens do their best to find alternative parking during the time their area is scheduled for leaf removal. There is no legal repercussion that follows a vehicle being parked on the street during the leaf collection time frame. You may consider speaking with your neighbor in a friendly manner to see if they have alternative parking available.
The leaves blew back in my yard, what should I do?
If you would like the leaves to be removed they will need to be in the street, curbside during your residential area’s assigned time frame.
Can I put out pine needles and rose bush trimmings with my leaves?
It may not be possible to avoid some small vegetation such as pine needles being included with your leaf pile. However, vegetation such as rose bush trimmings, piles of pine needles, grass clippings, branches or any other debris will not be collected. Heavy equipment and large trucks are used to collect the leaf piles so some of the finer vegetation like pine needles may not be able to be removed and may then become the property owner’s responsibility to remove.
Can I put my leaves in bags to have them collected?
Bagged leaves will not be collected. Leaves are recycled to be used as mulch and are delivered directly from street pickup to the mulch pile.
I missed getting my leaves out to the street. Will they come back to pick them up?
If we are made aware that your leaves have been placed in the street we will do our best to come back within the assigned time frame for the hill you live on. Please call us at (509) 338-3243 to let us know the location of the leaves.
I was out of town and didn't get my leaves out, can I put them out late?
If we are made aware that your leaves have been placed in the street we will do our best to come back within the assigned time frame for the hill you live on. Please call us at (509) 338-3243 to let us know the location of the leaves.
Why do the collection crews only come by my house once?
If we are aware that your leaves have been placed in the street after we’ve already been by, we will do our best to come back within the assigned time frame for the hill you live on. Please call us at (509) 338-3243 to let us know the location of the leaves. We do our best to make sure all leaves are collected. Our crews also are working with circumstances, such as the weather, that are beyond our control which may impact the amount of time allotted to attend to the leaf removal program.
What can I do with my leaves if you aren't able to collect them?
The Whitman County Landfill accepts yard waste and vegetation free of charge. Find out more here: 
Whitman County Solid Waste / Recycling Division