Alexandria’s annual leaf vacuuming and collection program kicks off today (Monday).
Crews will begin with a “first pass” at two of Alexandria’s five collection zones today. They’ll be in Zone 2, which encompasses some residential areas of Seminary Hill, and parts of Old Town in Zone 5, Section A.
Crews will visit each zone three times from now through January. Residents can find their zone using the city’s Residential Leaf Collection Viewer tool.
The city will give a first pass to each zone on staggered Mondays this month, according to the following schedule.
- Zone 1: Nov. 24
- Zone 2: Nov. 3
- Zone 3: Nov. 10
- Zone 4: Nov. 17
- Zone 5, Section A: Nov. 3
- Zone 5, Section B: Nov. 10
- Zone 5, Section C: Nov. 17
- Zone 5, Section D: Nov. 24
Residents should prepare for collection by raking leaves into piles on the street ahead of their assigned collection date, avoiding alleys, service roads, storm drains and water meter covers. Parked cars should also be moved off of leaf piles.
Residents who do not participate in leaf collection can recycle their leaves in two other ways, according to the city.
- Placing leaves in paper leaf bags for pickup alongside regular weekly trash collection (leaves in plastic bags are considered refuse and are thrown away as trash)
- Composting leaves and yard waste at home
Free, biodegradable leaf bags are available on a first come, first serve basis at the following locations. Households are limited to 15 bags.
- City Hall, 301 King Street (Main Lobby). Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Solid Waste – Leaf Bag Shed, 2900 B Business Center Drive. Monday through Saturday, 24 hours (Closed Sundays)
- Charles Barrett Rec Center, 1115 Martha Custis Drive. Daily, 2-9 p.m.
- Chinaquapin Rec Center, 3210 King Street. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- William Ramsey Rec Center, 5650 Sanger Avenue. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Mount Vernon Rec Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Charles Houston Rec Center, 901 Wythe Street. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
The city asks that residents refrain from mixing brush, including branches, sticks or other “woody materials” with leaves to prevent injuries, delays and damage to equipment and property.
