INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) has announced this year’s leaf collection will begin on Monday, Nov. 7. Residents can leave up to 40 bags of leaves for pick-up per week on their regularly scheduled collection day during the four-week collection period at no additional cost. While the week of the Thanksgiving holiday included in this season will operate on a sliding collection schedule, leaf collection service is expected to occur on the same day as each home’s standard trash collection. The final week of leaf collection will conclude on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Leaf collection dates coincide with the time of year when the most leaves are determined to fall from trees. Indy DPW does not approve vacation time for solid waste employees during leaf season in an effort to maintain leaf collection service.
Here are a few guidelines to follow during leaf collection:
• Place leaves in plastic bags. Paper bags can deteriorate and break apart in wet weather.
• Keep bags at least three feet away from your trash cart for easy pickup.
• Leaf bags should be outside by 7 a.m. on your normal trash day.
While raking leaves, DPW asks that residents clear leaves from storm drain inlets to prevent drainage and flooding problems. Residents are also asked not to rake leaves into the streets, which will cause issues for city street sweepers.
Indy DPW collects thousands of tons of leaves each year from Marion County residents. As in years past, the collected leaves will be taken to the South Side Landfill where they are composted. Residents can pick up the resulting mulch in the spring at no cost.
Outside of the four-week leaf season, residents can place bags of leaves inside their trash cart or take them to the Citizens’ Transfer Station on Saturdays. Residents should also remember that burning leaves is illegal in Marion County as it releases harmful particles into our air.
If crews miss a route for leaf collection service, residents should follow the same procedure as a missed trash pick-up: On the day after the normal collection day, residents can open a service request via RequestIndy or by calling the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622.
For more information visit indy.gov/activity/leaf-collection-season.