Fall is here, this means that vacuum leaf collection is also here. Leaf Area 8 will receive the first round of vacuum leaf collection on December 1, 2023. This will be the first of three collections. Managing the leaves in our neighborhood is always a lot of work and a balancing act. It makes sense to get as many leaves as possible to the curb by the last day or two of November because there are always more coming, but we also need to do everything we can to keep the leaves within four feet of the edge of the street.
This first pickup is especially important because the later we get leaves to the curb, and the longer they stay there, the more dangerous our streets become. Winter weather disrupts the county’s leaf pickup schedule and makes getting through our neighborhood that much riskier for cars, trucks, school buses, pedestrians, dog walkers, and especially schoolchildren.
One change this year will be to the signs posted in neighborhoods that provide collection schedule information. These will no longer reflect specific dates but rather a phone number, web address, and QR code to navigate to up-to-date collection information. This change will enable customers to have immediate access to the most updated collection information. You can visit the Fairfax County leaf collection website at fairfaxcounty.gov/leaf for additional information, updates on collection dates, collection area maps, and frequently asked questions.
Things to remember to ensure your leaves are collected:
- Make sure your leaves are raked or blown within four feet of the edge of the street prior to your scheduled collection date (In case of severe weather, collection dates may be adjusted).
- The vacuum leaf program is for leaves only.
- Remove all debris from leaves prior to setting out. Leaves mixed with brush, rocks, tree trimmings, sticks, trash, or any other material cannot be vacuumed.
- Do not block streets or pile leaves in storm drains or drainage ditches.
- Do not block leaf piles with cars or any type of equipment (at least 2 feet of clearance on each side of the pile is needed). This could limit our accessibility to the leaves or create hazardous conditions.
- Do not park vehicles on piles of leaves. This is a fire hazard.
- Leaves raked out after the third pick-up must be placed in rigid containers designated for yard waste or compostable paper yard waste bags and placed out for collection with your regular yard waste collection.
Report service issues by calling the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Customer Service line at (703) 802-3322 or email dpwestrashcs@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services