City of Milwaukee residents now have until Sunday, November 20 to rake their leaves into the curb lanes for pick-up by the Department of Public Works. DPW Sanitation crews currently are collecting leaves and will make one last sweep of all City neighborhoods after November 20, weather permitting.

Significant snowfall will curtail leaf collection operations for the season.

You are asked to rake your leaves into the curb lane, one foot away from the curb. Make sure to keep leaves away from storm drains and sewer grates. While bulk piles are preferred, it is acceptable to use paper yard waste bags. DO NOT put leaves in plastic bags.

It takes about two weeks for leaf collection operations to cycle through the entire City. After the final leaf pick-up cycle, residents are encouraged to mulch their leaves and leave them on their lawn, compost them, or take them to a City Self-Help Center for composting.

Leaves and brush, along with other yard waste, are banned from landfills and must not be placed in garbage or recycling carts. DPW collects leaves, brush and yard waste separately from garbage and composts it, which conserves natural resources while saving the City money.

Sanitation staff collects an average of 15,000 tons of leaves each year between mid-October and the first week of December. Last year 16,507 tons of leaves were collected.