Fall Leaf Collection

• Mulch the leaves: 
  • Mulch leaves with a mower and/or leave them on the lawn or in garden beds to promote soil health.
  • This option offers an opportunity to support regional biodiversity, protect and provide food for birds, save money on fertilizers and allow leaf litter to decompose naturally. It also aligns with the Village’s Climate Ready Oak Park plan.
  • Learn more about the benefits of leaving the leaves at www.oak-park.us/leafpledge.
• 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.
  • Click here for more information and to sign up.
• Place leaves in a bag or bin:
  • ​Fallen leaves can be bagged in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers with a weight less than 50 pounds when filled.
  • Bags and/or containers should be placed in the parkway as close to the curb as possible.
  • 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 (see map).
  • Leaves collected are sent to a compost facility.
  • The Village's waste hauler is not responsible for damages or replacement of rigid bins. 

Under the new system, the Village’s residential waste hauler, Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), will have dedicated compost trucks and leaf crews that will collect bags and empty rigid landscape containers from the parkway according to the route and schedule set by Public Works staff below:

• Fallen leaves can be bagged in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers with a weight less than 50 pounds when filled.
• Bags and/or containers should be placed in the parkway as close to the curb as possible.
• 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 (see map).

Oak Parkers are encouraged to look for opportunities to help neighbors who may need assistance with leaf collection. With one option for discarding leaves being to place them in the parkway in yard waste bags and/or rigid containers, property owners can tap into their neighborly instincts by helping those in need of support.

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Residents who utilize landscape services are asked to make sure their landscaper understands that starting this fall leaves should no longer be placed in the street. 

Click below to download a two-sided handout with information about the changes in both English and Spanish.

Click here to download

To support the community-minded spirit of assisting neighbors, the Village is allowing each block to host an extra leaf collection block party during weekends through the duration of the Village's Leaf Collection Program in November and December.

To request a Leaf Collection Block Party, please complete the form below.

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.

• Click here to download the 2024 Leaf Collection Block Party petition

The Village will provide leaf collection supplies for block parties upon request.

This initiative is intended to give neighbors an extra chance to gather while also making it easier to collect fallen leaves. 

For more information contact 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us.

Click here to open the Leaf Collection Block Party application form in a separate window

Click the image below to download and print a flyer with a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Oak Park's two Ace Harware locations:

Village staff will be available to discuss changes to the Fall Leaf Collection Program at community events this fall.

Email publicworks@oak-park.us if you'd like to request a visit from Village staff to discuss changes to the Fall Leaf Collection Program at your upcoming block party or community event. 

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions.