Details on Fall 2023 Leaf Collection and Community Clean-up

Fall is a beautiful time to live and work in University City. We are lucky to have a stunning canopy of trees, and watching the leaves turn helps announce the true arrival of autumn to the area. Of course, with changing leaves comes major clean-up duties this time of year. Below, read about upcoming leaf collection options provided by the City.

Throughout the year, UCD organizes multiple volunteer cleaning efforts. Our next community clean-up will be held on Saturday, December 2^nd, 2023. Help keep your neighborhood clean by tidying up your streets from 9 AM to 2 PM. We'll be dispersing supplies like bags, rakes, and gloves while supplies last, and picking up trash and leaves from street corners after 1 PM. Please make sure to place all leaves in brown, biodegradable paper bags for recycling. Other forms of refuse can be collected into sturdy plastic trash bags.

You must sign up to be eligible to receive supplies and to arrange pick-ups. To sign up and join the effort, please contact us via email or by calling 215-243-0555.

The City's annual leaf recycling program, provided by the Streets Department, encourages residents to recycle leaves to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream. Mechanical collection and bagged drop-off services also help to save space in local landfills. During the six-week program running through December 16th, residents may take bagged leaves to any of the City's six Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Only bagged leaves and yard waste will be accepted at these locations. Please do not include household rubbish in bags.

In West Philadelphia, the centers are located at:

• N. 43rd and Powelton Avenue, on the sidewalk of 4200 Powelton Avenue, close to 43rd Street.
• 54th and Woodbine Avenue

The dates for dropping off bagged leaves between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM will be:

• Saturday, November 11th
• Saturday, November 18th
• Saturday, December 2nd
• Saturday, December 9th
• Saturday, December 16th

Mechanical leaf collection will be provided as a supplement to bagged collections 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 collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity. 

Additionally, the City will offer mechanical leaf collection in certain high-accumulation zones to supplement bagged collections. This service is offered on a designated weekly schedule, which includes collection in West Philadelphia from November 14th - 18th in the zone indicated below on the map (from 38th to 52nd, and from Baltimore Avenue to Spruce Street). 

Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection: 

• Visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling to search an address. 
• All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 AM 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.
• Residents in mechanical areas can also drop-off bagged leaves at sites. 
• 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 them to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.
• The Streets Department does not provide biodegradable bags. Residents may purchase them at their local home improvement stores. 
• No collection will occur on a City-observed holiday. 

In West Philadelphia, collections will occur on the following days and in the following areas:

­Monday, November 13 

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

Tuesday, November 14 

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

Wednesday, November 15 

• Ford Road to Conshohocken Avenue, from Monument Road to Falls Road 
• 58^th to 54^th Streets, from Upland Way to City Avenue 
• Wynnefield Avenue to Jefferson Street, from 54^th Street to Parkside Avenue 
   

 Thursday, November 16 

• 54^th Street to Belmont Ave, from Wynnefield Avenue to City Avenue 
   

 Friday, November 17 

• 38^th to 52^nd Streets from Baltimore Avenue to Spruce Street
• Belmont Avenue to Lenape Road, from City Avenue to Sorrento Street & Conshohocken Avenue