The Sanitation Department’s 2026 fall leaf mechanical collections are scheduled for Northwest Philadelphia during the weeks of Dec. 7-11 and Dec. 14-18, with drop-off locations opening Nov. 7.
Mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves and multiple tree canopies. Crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, the city said in a news release.
All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Residents are advised to rake leaves into the street by the curb’s …
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The Sanitation Department’s 2026 fall leaf mechanical collections are scheduled for Northwest Philadelphia during the weeks of Dec. 7-11 and Dec. 14-18, with drop-off locations opening Nov. 7.
Mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves and multiple tree canopies. Crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, the city said in a news release.
All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Residents are advised to rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary). If possible, move your vehicle to an off-street location so crews can remove leaves along the curb line.
Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center. Locally, they may be taken to Domino Lane and Umbria Street, Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bagged leaf drop-offs also will be available on five Saturdays (Nov. 7, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at these Northwest locations: 4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Recreation Center); Cathedral Road and Ridge Avenue; Gravers Lane and Seminole Street; and Washington Lane and Ardleigh Street.
The leaves will be used for composting purposes, like fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees.
Follow these tips for bagged leaf collection:
• Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags to reduce contamination in the recycling process.
• Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling.
• Use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 lbs. each.
• Bags may be purchased at most hardware stores. Bags are not provided by the Sanitation Department.
• Leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash, not recycling.
• There will be no collection of leaves on city-observed holidays.
For more information, including when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection, visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling or call 311.
