Revamped Leaf Collection Program starts Nov. 4

Oct. 29, 2024 - The Village’s Fall Leaf Collection Program begins Nov. 4, with six weekly pickups planned for each section of the Village through the week of Dec. 9. The key change this year is that residents will no longer place leaves directly in the street. Instead, they can choose from a variety of leaf collection options:

• Place leaves in a bag or bin...Fallen leaves can be placed in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers and left in the parkway as close to the curb as possible for pickup. Weekly pickups are planned for each section of the Village on the scheduled pickup dates indicated on the map. Green yard waste stickers are NOT required during the six-week Fall Leaf Collection Program and residents may put out an unlimited number of bags and/or rigid containers in the parkway on their designated collection day. The Village’s waste hauler Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS) will transport the leaves to a compost facility. 
• Compost leaves…Residents who participate in the Village’s CompostAble program can discard leaves in their 96-gallon gray organics cart along with food scraps and other yard waste throughout the year. Find more information about the program and sign up to participate at www.oak-park.us/compost.
• Mulch the leaves…Oak Park residents are encouraged to consider mulching leaves with a mower and/or leaving them on the lawn or in garden beds to promote soil health. This option offers an opportunity to support regional biodiversity and save money on fertilizer by allowing leaf litter to decompose naturally. It also aligns with the Village’s Climate Ready Oak Park plan.

The changes to the Village’s Fall Leaf Collection Program are intended to address potential safety hazards created in the past by large leaf piles, minimize confusion over leaf collection parking restrictions and provide environmental benefits from mulching and reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to decreased truck traffic.

As has always been the case, commercial properties and large multifamily buildings with six or more units do not participate in the Village’s refuse program and continue to be responsible for their own leaf collection and disposal.

For more information about the Village’s Leaf Collection Program, visit www.oak-park.us/leafcollection, call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.    

Assistance available…The Village is coordinating an online portal where Oak Parkers who are willing to volunteer to help rake leaves can be connected with residents who are seeking assistance. Visit the leaf collection assistance section at www.oak-park.us/leafcollection to sign up to volunteer and to request assistance. 

Be sure to inform landscapers…Residents who utilize landscape services are asked to make sure their landscaper understands that leaves should no longer be placed in the street. A printable handout with information about the changes in both English and Spanish is available at www.oak-park.us/leafcollection. 

Yard waste bag coupon…Visit www.oak-park.us/leafcollection for a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Oak Park’s two Ace Hardware locations. 

Leaf collection block parties…The Village is allowing each block to host an extra leaf collection block party during weekends through Dec. 7. Visit www.oak-park.us/leafcollection to request a leaf collection block party. All the rules for traditional block parties apply, including the requirement to include a petition signed by at least 10 separate addresses on the block. The Village will provide leaf collection supplies for block parties upon request.