Recycle

Philadelphia Leaf Recycling is Back for 2019

The Streets Department’s 2019 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Tuesday, November 12 and runs through Saturday, December 21. 

Here’s the deal to compost those leaves THE RIGHT WAY:

  • USE BROWN BAGS. Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags.  These bags can be processed for recycling along with the leaves. This reduces contamination in the recycling process.
  • Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates those leaves!
  • Use as many bags as needed, max 40 lbs. each.
  • Buy those bags at most hardware stores – support your local store if you have one. (No freebies from the Streets Department.)

Leaf Drop-Off Program 2019

Drop off your bagged leaves on Saturdays (minus 11/16 and 11/30) at 13 designated locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Drop-off locations include:

Pennway St. & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Recreation)Northeast
15th & Bigler St.South
43rd St. & Powelton Ave.West
4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Recreation)Northwest
54th & Woodbine Ave.West
7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Recreation)Northeast
American & Thompson Sts.North
Broad & Christian St.South
Castor & Foulkrod St.Frankford
Cathedral St. & Ridge Ave.Northwest
Corinthian & Poplar St.North
Graver Lane & Seminole St.Northwest
Washington Ln. & Ardleigh St.Northwest

You can also drop off bagged leaves at Sanitation Convenience Centers:

2019 Mechanical Leaf Collection Schedule

The city collects leaves in 6 collection areas, using leaf blowers and mechanical sweepers to move leaves into the street. Check out this city map to see if your street will be covered.

1Oak Lane & Frankford11/12/19 – 11/15/19
2West & South11/18/19 – 11/22/19
3Northeast11/25/19 – 11/29/19
4Northeast12/2/19 – 12/6/19
5Northwest12/9/19 – 12/13/19
6Northwest12/16/19 – 12/20/19
Mechanical Leaf Collection Map

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

1000+ trees planted, end of free A/C program, canvassing to save SEPTA, & more

Catch up on the latest in sustainability news: Trash cleanup group starts a new video…

1 day ago

The City’s Tree Plan calls for significantly increasing our leafy coverage. So, why are our large trees continued to be chopped down?

How one neighbor’s loss reflects a citywide dilemma.  “SAVE MY TREE!” That’s what Nicole Fakhoury…

4 days ago

Navy Yard is nation’s largest LEED neighborhood, Rare ‘Franklin’ trees & more

Catch up on this week’s sustainability news:  Philadelphia Navy Yard is now the largest LEED…

1 week ago

For these Philadelphians, nature is a pathway to healing from gun violence

For some survivors, hiking and gardens offer deeper healing than pharmaceuticals. This story is the…

1 week ago

How Councilmember Jamie Gauthier addresses inequity and sustainability

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is Green Philly’s latest Civic Catalyst. Read how Gauthier uses her role…

1 week ago

Where Are The Trees We Were Promised?

Two years into the City’s first-ever Tree Plan, our leafy coverage has remained static. What…

2 weeks ago