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The Village's fall leaf collection program provides residents with a no-cost,
convenient way to get rid of leaves. This popular program allows residents to
set out loose leaves at the curb for collection by Public Works crews from
October 6 through November 21. Additionally bagged leaves will be collected from
November 24 through December 12.
Leaf Pick-Up Map (Click on link to view
map)
Loose leaves only
While the long-standing success of the leaf collection program can be
credited to resident support and cooperation, the quality and effectiveness of
the program has become hampered by individuals choosing to abuse the service or
not follow a few simple procedures to keep the program running smoothly.
Strictly designed for the removal of leaves only, some residents and landscapers
have found this service to be a convenient and no-cost means of disposing of
grass clippings, brush and other yard material. Although this practice may
appear to be a minor infraction, it is in fact a violation of the Village's
solid waste contract. The cost of transportation and disposal of the leaves is
included in the per-unit per-month rate the Village pays to ARC Disposal. All
other yard material collected by the refuse hauler is to be containerized and
have a refuse/material sticker affixed. Further, it significantly impairs the
efficiency of the loose-leaf collection process. Grass clippings in particular
clog the equipment, slow down the entire operation and contribute to equipment
and labor downtime.
The Village recognizes that most residents readily comply with the guidelines
set forth in the program. The Village appreciates their efforts and is pleased
to provide the leaf collection service. However, as it is necessary to gain
compliance from those residents/landscapers who apparently need further
understanding of program limitations, the following policy will be enforced:
- The loose-leaf collection program is for LEAVES ONLY. Any leaf pile
containing grass clippings or other yard material will NOT BE COLLECTED.
- It is the responsibility of the homeowner to remove the unacceptable
materials from the leaves for collection. Properly prepared leaf piles will
be collected on the resident's next designated collection day. If the other
yard material cannot be separated from the leaves (we recommend raking
leaves before mowing your grass), the mixed yard material must be
containerized in either a biodegradable brown compost bag or a 32-gal. rigid
container affixed with the Village's refuse/yard material sticker. A rigid
container must also be identified with the Village's green yard material
decal.
BURNING LEAVES IN MOUNT PROSPECT VIOLATES ORDINANCE 24.115
How to prepare leaves for pickup
- Please rake your leaves onto the pavement one-foot from the curb line on
the day before your scheduled pickup day. Collection is more efficient when
leaves are placed on the pavement.
- Please, do not rake the leaves onto the street prior to one day before
your scheduled collection. To do so is a violation of Village ordinance,
presents a potential safety hazard, and interferes with the efficiency of
the program. Wet leaves, leaves flattened by cars and leaves that have blown
throughout your neighborhood are difficult to collect.
- Please do not rake your leaves onto the street if the vacuum truck has
already passed your home. The machines travel each street weekly during the
collection period, but only once on each side. The operators can not wait
for you to rake your leaves into the street or return, as it will put the
program behind schedule.
Bagged leaf Collection
Arc Disposal will conduct the extended leaf collection program for bagged leaves
on your regularly scheduled refuse collection day from November 21 through
December 15. Biodegradable compost bags containing leaves only will be collected
without the Village-imprinted sticker.
All other yard material and/or leaves in rigid containers must have the
Village-imprinted sticker affixed to pay for collection and disposal or the yard
material.
Bags and/or containers must not exceed 50lb. Rigid containers must also have the
green yard waste decal affixed.
Keep your leaves
As organic farmers and gardeners know, leaves make terrific mulch. Instead of
raking them into the street this year, pack them around your perennials and on
your flowerbeds as insulation against the cold to come. If you have a vegetable
garden, spread the leaves on top of it and then rototill them into the soil to
enrich it for the next year’s crop. Leaves are also a valuable addition to a
well-maintained compost pile.
And more leaves
Every year some residents ask about ordering truckloads of free leaves to use
as mulch and compost. If this seems like a good idea, remember one thing: To
order a supply, you must order a whole truckload. If that’s too much for your
needs, get together with your neighbors and share it.
To order a truckload of leaves, residents must come to the Public works
Facility, 1700 W. Central Road, and sign a waiver and indicate where and when
you want the delivery to be made.
For more information about the Village’s annual leaf pickup and/or delivery
program, call the Public Works Department at 870-5640.
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