Fall is quickly approaching, and cooler weather can bring an early leaf drop from Sacramento’s canopy of trees.   

 The leaf drop typically occurs during the fall and winter months, when the Recycling and Solid Waste Division provides a special “leaf season” collection service. Any leaves and yard waste that won’t fit in the curbside container may be put into a pile in the street starting in November. 

To provide this service, the Division deploys a “claw” tractor, which moves daily throughout the city streets to pick up leaf piles and load them into a collection truck for recycling.  

This special leaf season service will begin on Monday, Nov. 3 and continues through February 1, 2026. At that time, City residents who receive leaf season collection will be able to pile yard waste in the street for collection by the claw.    

Residents should refrain from piling leaves in the street until November. After Nov. 3, leaves should only be piled when they won’t fit in the container.  

“We’re seeing leaf piles on the streets before leaf season begins, but our claw operators are still working on household junk pickups,” said Jesa David, spokesperson for the Division. “Customers can still request a junk pickup through early October but should try to fit any leaf piles in the organic waste container first.”  

Until leaf season begins, there are a few solutions for City of Sacramento customers with excess yard waste:   

• Trim or break down tree branches to fit into the curbside container.  

• After filling the container, compress the leaves or let them settle overnight, allowing for more to be added.  

• Request a free household junk pickup (any garbage should be kept separate from yard waste. This service will be paused in early October).  

• Use the free dump coupon that comes in the yearly service guide to bring waste to the Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station. (If needed, request a service guide or dump coupon from 311.)  

There are also local private waste haulers who will pick up green waste for a fee.    

For more information on City of Sacramento Recycling and Solid Waste services, please visit sacrecycle.org.