The City of Sacramento’s annual leaf collection service will begin Monday October 31, 2016 and continue until January 29, 2017. The Recycling and Solid Waste division dispatches 10 to 15 crews using “The Claw” and rear loader trucks to scoop over 26 million pounds of leaves and yard waste debris off of city streets during the months of November, December and January. Crews work up to six days a week, rain or shine, including holidays.
Schedule
All streets will have at least one collection occur between October 31 and November 8, 2016. It can take crews on average, ten days to complete one full leaf sweep of the City. In the early part of the season, collection may be more frequent. As leaf drop volume grows, and if wind and rainstorms occur, it can take crews up to two weeks to rotate through the entire city.
Customers can use the Collection Calendar to see an estimate of their upcoming collection date. The schedule is updated daily based on the volume of yard waste from the previous day, number of zones cleared, weather conditions and equipment availability. The schedule will also show when the leaf piles were most recently collected in their neighborhood. Customers are urged to check the calendar frequently since estimated collection dates can change often.
Millions of Pounds in Containers
The city collects 54 million pounds of yard waste during leaf season. Of that total, over 28 million pounds is picked up during weekly container service. Filling containers first, and then creating a leaf pile, helps the city remove material faster. Weekly residential containerized yard waste collection continues year-round on a customer’s usual collection day.
Leaf Pile Guidelines
Piles should be placed six feet from any obstructions and in such a way that there is space between the curb and pile to allow water to flow to storm drains. When possible, leaf piles should be kept out of bike lanes. Leaves should not be in plastic bags. Pet waste should never be put in leaf piles or yard waste containers. Pet waste should only go in the garbage container.
Household Junk Collection to go on Hiatus – Appliance & E-waste continues year-round.
The same crews and equipment used for the Household Junk Pickup program are deployed for seasonal leaf collection during November, December and January. The Household Junk Pickup will go on its planned hiatus effective October 31, 2016. The program will resume on February 6, 2017.
Appliance & E-waste collection occurs year-round and appointments are available during leaf season. All residents can make up to two appointments for junk pickup and two appointments for appliance/e-waste in a calendar year. Visit Sac Recycle for more information.