Gladys Carroll-Weathersby and Jack Hill raking leaves on the 2400 block of N. 16th Street

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) announces that residents may rake their leaves into the curb lanes beginning Saturday, October 1 and ending Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

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. Residents are also encouraged to mulch leaves, and leave grass clippings on the lawn. This saves time and money, and adds nutrients to the soil.

Tips for a successful fall leaf collection:

• Rake leaf piles into the street but keep them away from storm drains and sewer grates
• Keep leaf piles away from the curb – give a one-foot space
• Place garden debris on top of leaf piles
• Do not put leaves in plastic or paper bags
• Do not put leaves in garbage carts
• Pumpkins – Compost them if they have no melted candle wax or decorations. Otherwise, place them in your garbage cart, NOT IN THE LEAF PILE
• Do not put brush into the street – place it on the grass next to the curb. Call 286-CITY through November for a pick-up. Brush is defined as woody stalks such as tree branches and bushes.

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.

By mid-October, all City of Milwaukee households of four or fewer units should receive a DPW Fall 2016 newsletter in the mail. This newsletter includes important information on:

• How to “Rethink – Refuse – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle – Rot (compost)” food waste to keep it out of the landfill
• Recycling guidelines – Say NO to the Dirty Dozen
• DPW Sanitation “Services By The Season”
• Hours/locations of City Drop-Off sites for leaves, brush, old electronics, appliances, furniture, moreFor more information, call (414) 286-CITY (-2489) or visit the DPW website at milwaukee.gov/mpw.