Leaf Season Begins in Marion County
The City of Indianapolis will soon begin collecting fallen leaves throughout Marion County. Last year, more than 13.5 million pounds of leaves were collected during the annual leaf collection program.
From Monday, November 10th through Friday, December 5th, up to 40 bag items will be picked up each week, free of charge. No more than 10 items may be regular household trash. For example, in a hand collection area, a resident may set out 2 bags of trash and up to 38 bags of leaves. Or, 8 bags of trash and up to 32 bags of leaves. For 96-gallon cart collection areas, all leaves must be bagged and positioned at least 3 feet away from the cart in order to allow DPW trucks to continue to service the cart.
To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:
•Place leaves in plastic or paper bags
•Place leaf bags out by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day
•Clearly identify and separate bags of leaves from regular trash (Place them on opposite sides of the driveway, place in different colored bags, or use different color tie wraps)
Residents should take special care to ensure that sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves and debris to avoid serious drainage and flooding problems.
Because leaves can be recycled into a useful end product, DPW composts collected leaves and makes them available to the public free of charge. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange – improving the health of lawns and helping gardens grow. Free compost from last year’s program may now be available at the Southside Landfill, 2577 S. Kentucky Ave; 317.247.6808.
As a reminder, it is illegal to burn leaves in Marion County. Smoke from burning leaves pollutes the air with many harmful particles and is hazardous to young children and people with heart and lung disease.
For further information please call the Mayor’s Action Center at 327.4622 or visit www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPW/Residential/home.htm.
