The Philadelphia Streets Department’s 2021 Philly Leaf Recycling Program has officially kicked off today, Nov. 8 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 18. The program helps reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.

There are several opportunities for residents to participate in the program:

Bagged leaf drop-off: During the six-week program, bagged leaf drop-off will be offered city-wide on the following Saturdays at 13 specially designated locations from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

November 20
December 4
December 11
December 18

The drop-off locations in West Philadelphia are: 43rd & Powelton Streets and 54th St. & Woodbine Ave.

Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags. Please do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves as this contaminates leaves and makes them unfit for recycling purposes. Residents can use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 lbs. each. Bags can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Bagged leaves may also be taken to any of the Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Please note that leaves set out curbside, either in bags or containers, will be collected as trash and not for recycling.

Mechanical leaf collection will be provided as a supplement in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves. The mechanical leaf collection operation will include leaf blowers, mechanical sweepers, and leaf loaders. Mechanical leaf collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week.

Mechanical leaf collection in West Philadelphia will take place next week (Nov. 15-19). Here’s the schedule:

­Monday, Nov. 15 

• 72nd to 66th Streets, from Malvern Avenue to City Avenue
• 66th to 63rd Streets, from Malvern Avenue to City Avenue

Tuesday, Nov. 16 

• 63rd to 58th Streets, from Upland Way to City Avenue
• 58th to 54th Streets, from Upland Way to City Avenue

Wednesday, Nov. 17 

• Belmont Avenue to Lenape Road, from City Avenue to Sorrento Street & Conshohocken Avenue
• Ford Road to Conshohocken Avenue, from Monument Road to Falls Road

Thursday, Nov. 18

• 54th Street to 49th Street, from Wynnefield Avenue to City Avenue
• Wynnefield Avenue to Columbia Avenue, from 54th Street to Parkside Avenue

Friday, Nov. 19 

• 38th to 52nd Streets from Baltimore Avenue to Spruce Street

All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary). If possible, move your vehicle to an off-street parking location on your scheduled collection day, so crews can remove leaves along the curb line.

Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.

There will be no collection of leaves on City holidays. During this six-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees.

For more information, please visit www.phila.gov/leaf-recycling or call 311.