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CITY'S FALL LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM BEGINS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH

Last year, nearly 13 and a half million pounds of leaves were collected during the City's annual leaf collection program.

Up to 30 bags of leaves will be picked up each week free of charge through Friday, December 3. In hand collection areas, residents may set out up to 10 bags of trash each week. When setting out items for pick-up, residents should ensure that trash is separated from leaves. In 96-gallon cart collection areas, all leaves must be bagged and placed at least three feet away from the cart in order to allow DPW trucks to service the cart. Additionally, all trash must fit inside the cart. Trash outside the cart will not be taken during leaf collection season.

To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:

• Place leaves in plastic or paper bags
• Place leaf bags out by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day
• Clearly identify and separate bags of leaves from regular trash (place them on opposite sides of the driveway, in different colored bags or use different color tie wraps)

Residents should take special care to ensure that sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves and debris to avoid serious drainage and flooding problems.

Because leaves can be recycled into a useful end product, DPW composts collected leaves and makes them available to the public free of charge. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange improving the health of lawns and helping gardens grow.

As a reminder, it is illegal to burn leaves in Marion County. Smoke from burning leaves pollutes the air with harmful particles and is hazardous to young children and people with heart and lung disease.

For more information please contact the Mayor's Action Center at 317.327.4622 or visit www.indy.gov/dpw.