Leaf Collection to Start in New Rochelle

Autumn is here and the leaves are falling, so it is once again time for leaf collection.

The City of New Rochelle will begin collecting leaves Oct. 15 and will continue through December. There will be no more yard waste collection until spring, and as of Oct. 15 alternate side street sweeping will be suspended, though parking rules remain in effect.

As an alternative to raking or bagging, the city has started the "Love 'Em and Leave 'Em" campaign to encourage property owners to mulch mow their leaves.

The city said mulch mowing is faster and easier than raking or blowing the leaves to the curb. Mulch mowing provides a free natural fertilizer by recycling nutrients into the soil. For more information, visit newrochelle.leleny.org.

If bagging, the leaves should be placed in biodegradable 30 to 40 gallon paper bags or open containers weighing no more than 75 pounds. If left in plastic, the leaves will not be collected.

Citywide pickup of bagged leaves will occur on six Saturdays: Nov. 9, Nov. 16, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.

If not bagged, leaves should be raked into neat piles near the curb lines of properties to facilitate pick up. Cars should not be parked on top of or near leaf piles. Branches and debris should not be mixed with leaves to avoid damaging city equipment. Leaves must not block storm water catch basins, fire hydrants or traffic lanes. Residents are responsible for making their lawn maintenance workers follow the rules.

There is a leaf removal hotline: 914-654-6510. For other inquiries or problems, call 914-235-4029, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.