City Public Service Switches to Leaf Pickup Monday

Leaf collection season for city residents is November-February. This year it will officially kick off Monday, Nov. 4.

The Public Service Department crews will visit your neighborhood every other week. Here is how you can assist them in picking up your leaves to be recycled into mulch:
– Rake leaves into a row at the edge of your property at the street in an area unobstructed by trees, power poles, vehicles or mailboxes.
– Ensure access to sidewalks
– Keep leaf piles out of the street, as it can pose a danger for drivers. This will also make for easier and quicker collection!
– Keep leaves loose. Do not put leaves in plastic bags! Bags of leaves left at the curb will be considered bulky waste and be sent to the landfill.
– Do not place leaves in the center medians or islands. Collecting from the median requires our equipment to drive the wrong way on one-way streets, which creates a safety concern for all involved. You may see City contractors raking leaves on the islands to the end caps to allow for more efficient collection. They are raking the leaves that have fallen from trees in the median, not leaves from homeowner property. Thank you for helping the City serve you better.

Fun fact: Last season, the City of Knoxville collected more than 7,000 tons of leaves that were processed for mulch and diverted from the landfill!

Brush will still be picked up November-February; however, it will be on a less frequent cycle, and when crews have the time.

Learn more about your neighborhood’s leaf collection schedule at the City’s website.