As autumn brings a blanket of colorful leaves to our neighborhoods, the City of Bloomington reminds residents of the importance of responsible leaf disposal. Recently, an increase in leaves being blown into streets instead of properly gathered at the curb has been observed.
Leaves in the street create potential hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, and can also disrupt the City’s leaf collection efforts. By following these guidelines, we can help keep our streets safe, clean, and accessible:
- Pile Leaves at the Curb: Gather leaves into piles at the curb, but not in the street, to allow for safe and efficient collection by City crews.
- Separate Leaf Piles from Other Waste: Be sure to keep leaves apart from other yard waste, branches, or bulky items.
- Avoid Using Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are not suitable for leaf disposal as they cannot be processed with yard waste. Please leave leaves loose or use approved biodegradable bags.
- Consider Mulching as an Alternative: Mulching leaves to use as natural garden fertilizer is an eco-friendly option.
Community cooperation is essential to ensure timely leaf collection and to maintain the beauty of Bloomington. Make sure your leaves are ready for pickup on your designated collection day.
