“The fall leaf collection program runs from November 4 through January 24.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

From DPW:

“The fall leaf collection program runs from November 4 through January 24. 2019 Leaf Season Brochure

Please rake your loose leaves into your tree box (or at the curb if there is no tree box) the Sunday before your scheduled collection week. Every street will have two scheduled collection weeks. Our crews will only come once during each scheduled week. The MyDPW app is essential during leaf season, residents can receive alerts when leaf collection is scheduled for your address, it reminds residents the Friday prior to your scheduled collection, and will alert residents if leaf collection service is delayed or suspended on their street.

Each year DPW collects and composts between five and seven thousand tons of loose leaves. Unfortunately, bagged leaves placed where your trash is collected are not able to be composted and will only be picked up as space in our trucks permits.

As winter approaches, the DC Snow Team will be called upon to clear our city’s streets. When this happens, our leaf collection trucks must stop collecting leaves to be outfitted with snow plows and salt spreaders. Once the weather improves, the trucks are cleaned and outfitted to resume leaf operations. This process can take several days. Further delays can also be expected when leaves are wet or frozen, as such conditions hamper our equipment’s ability to function properly. We appreciate residents’ patience and understanding throughout the season.

Holiday trees and greenery will be collected between January 14 and February 2. Residents in DPW-serviced households should place their trees and greenery where their trash and recyclables are normally collected. Trees and greenery collected during these three weeks (and those brought to the Fort Totten and Benning Road transfer stations) will be composted and made available to residents for free. Please remove all ornaments and lights; do not put trees and greenery in a bag. After February 2, place holiday trees and greenery where your trash is collected. They will be picked up with your trash as space in our trucks permits. Unfortunately, trees and greenery collected after February 2 will not be composted.

As a reminder, apartment and condominium buildings with four or more units are required to provide their tenants with solid waste collections (this includes leaves and holiday trees/greenery).”