NYCWasteLe$$ - Fall Leaf Collection Program

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NYC Department of Sanitation
Fall Leaf Collection Program

leaf pile image

How Leaf Collection Dates are Determined
Before & After DSNY Fall Leaf Collection
Leaf Collection Districts
Leaf Collection Set-Out Requirements
Fall 2007 Leaf Collection Set Out Dates
Where to Purchase Paper Lawn & Leaf Bags
Promotion of Fall Leaf Program
Other Types of Yard Waste
Info on Other Composting Programs

How Leaf Collection Dates are Determined

NYC's leaf collection dates are scheduled for the weeks when, historically, the largest amount of leaves normally fall. The goal is to divert as many leaves as possible from landfills and compost this material, while controlling collection costs.

Actual leaf fall is subject to variations in weather, rainfall, temperature, and sustained frost. Once collection dates are set in late August, the vehicles, labor, and other resources that are amassed to conduct this annual collection cannot easily be switched or extended.

What To Do with Leaves Before & After DSNY Fall Leaf Collection

Except during the DSNY's Leaf Collection Period, residents and institutions may use black plastic lawn & leaf bags for leaf and yard waste, since organics are usually collected as garbage.

We heartily encourage composting leaves and other yard waste wherever possible, by raking leaves into a pile and letting nature do its work. In a few months you’ll have a rich soil amendment, and save the cost and labor of bagging leaves. See www.nyccompost.org for info on how to compost, or contact your borough's Compost Project, funded by the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling.

Leaf Collection Districts

DSNY fall leaf collection The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) collects fall leaves from 37 of the City's 59 community districts and turns them into high-quality compost at our composting sites. To find out what DSNY does with collected leaves, go to fall leaves.

NYC's leaf collection districts include all of Queens and Staten Island and sections of the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Bronx neighborhoods receiving leaf collection (districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12): Allerton • Baychester • Bedford Park • Bronxdale • Bronx River • Bruckner • Castle Hill • City Island • Clason Point • Co-op City • Country Club • Eastchester • Eastchester Bay • Edenwald • Edgewater • Fieldston • Fish Bay • Fordham • Harding Park • Jerome Park • Kingsbridge • Kingsbridge Heights • Laconia • Locust Point • Marble Hill • Morris Park • Norwood • Olinville • Parkchester • Pelham Bay • Pelham Gardens • Pelham Parkway • Riverdale • Schuylerville • Silver Beach • Soundview • Spencer Estates • Spuyten Duyvil • Throgs Neck • Unionport • University Heights • Van Cortlandt Village • Van Nest • Wakefield • Westchester Square • Williamsbridge • Woodlawn • Zerega

Brooklyn neighborhoods receiving leaf collection (districts: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18): Bath Beach • Bay Ridge • Bensonhurst • Bergen Beach • Boerum Hill • Borough Park • Brighton Beach • Brooklyn Heights • Brooklyn Navy Yard • Brownsville • Canarsie • Carroll Gardens • City Line • Clinton Hill • Cobble Hill • Coney Island • Crown Heights • Cypress Hills • Ditmas Village • Downtown • Dyker Heights • East Flatbush • East Gravesend • East New York • Erasmus • Farragut • Flatbush • Flatlands • Fort Greene • Fort Hamilton • Fulton Ferry • Fulton Mall • Georgetown • Gerritsen Beach • Gowanus • Gravesend • Highland Park • Homecrest • Kensington • Kings Bay • Kings Highway • Madison • Manhattan Beach • Mapleton • Marine Park • Midwood • Mill Basin • Mill Island • New Lots • Ocean Hill • Ocean Parkway • Park Slope • Plum Beach • Prospect Lefferts Gardens • Prospect Park South • Red Hook • Remsen Village • Rugby • Seagate • Sheepshead Bay • Starrett City • Sunset Park • Windsor Terrace • Wingate

Leaf Set-Out Requirements

In fall 2007, it will be mandatory (according to NYC's Yard Waste Composting Law ) for NYC residents in the city's leaf collection districts to set out their fall leaves in paper bags (or in unlined rigid containers) during the designated DSNY fall leaf collection period. To find out what DSNY does with collected leaves, go to fall leaves.

landscaping truck It is illegal for landscapers to dispose of yard waste by placing it at the curb for DSNY collection. According to NYC's Yard Waste Composting Law, violators will be subject to escalating fines starting in October 2008. This law also requires landscapers to bring leaf and yard waste to a composting facility.

Note: Outside of the fall leaf collection period, residents in the leaf collection districts can set out their leaves for regular trash pickup. If you don't live in a leaf collection district, set out your leaves with your regular garbage.

Benefits of using paper bags to set out your leaves for DSNY collection during the fall leaf collection period:

Paper bags decompose naturally with the leaves.
Plastic bags do not decompose; removing and discarding them costs the city a lot of time, money, and effort.
Less plastic means cleaner, higher quality compost that we can return to you through our free, compost giveback events.

Various retailers and supermarkets (such as Home Depot, Kmart, Lowe's, Pathmark, Stop & Shop, Target, True Value Hardware, and Waldbaums) typically sell 30-gallon, paper lawn & leaf bags.

Fall 2007 Leaf Collection Set-Out Dates

Bronx/Brooklyn/Staten Island:
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007

Queens:
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007

How to Set Out Leaves for DSNY Collection:

1. Place leaves into large paper leaf bags. Leaves may also be set out loose in unlined garbage cans. You can be fined for setting out your leaves in plastic bags during DSNY’s leaf collection period.

2. Place leaves at the curb on the designated Saturday evenings.

3. Leaf pickup may take place early the next morning, so place leaves at the curb on the designated Saturday night. Leaves not picked up the next day, will be collected later in the week.

Where to Purchase Paper Lawn & Leaf Bags

The NYC Department of Sanitation does not provide bags or bins for recycling, composting, or garbage. Paper lawn and leaf bags can be purchased at various hardware stores and supermarkets.
Below is a list of retailers that sell paper lawn and leaf bags.

Please note: Our mention of these retailers does not constitute an endorsement of their services. If you find any outdated information, or would like to suggest additional listings, please Contact NYCWasteLe$$.

Bronx
Brooklyn
Queens
Staten Island

BRONX stores that sell paper lawn & leaf bags:
Big Kmart 1998 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx 10473 718-430-9439
C.S. Brown True Value Hardware 12 E Tremont Ave., Bronx 10453 718-294-1650
Fairbanks Lumber True Value 4527 White Plains Rd., Bronx 10470 718-324-8358
Georges True Value Hardware 2044 Westchester Ave., Bronx 10462 718-829-6666
Home Depot 1806 E Gunhill Rd., Bronx 10469 718-862-9800
Home Depot 635 Zerega Ave., Bronx 10473 718-518-8811
Kornblau Supply Co Inc 5554 Broadway, Bronx 10463 718-548-0433
Pathmark 961 E 174th St., Bronx 10460 718-860-3139
Pathmark 1851 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx 10472 718-892-0100
Pathmark 2136 Bartow Ave., Bronx 10475 718-320-2902
Stop & Shop 5716 Broadway, Bronx 10463 718-548-3344
Super Stop & Shop 691 Co Op City Blvd., Bronx 10475 718-862-2809
Van Nest True Value Hardware 669 Morris Park Ave., Bronx 10462 718-829-2338

BROOKLYN stores that sell paper lawn & leaf bags:
A&G Locksmith & Hardware 347 Knickerbocker Ave., Brooklyn 11237 718-497-5882
Almac Hardware 596 E 16th St., Brooklyn 11226 718-434-1736
Almac True Value 2 Newkirk Plaza Brooklyn 11226 718-434-1736
Bath Ave True Value Hardware 1800 Bath Ave., Brooklyn 11214 718-236-6700
Clinton Hill Hardware 452 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn 11205 718-237-7827
Corner Hardware & Paint 2266 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn 11210 718-377-8516
Court Street Hardware 95 Court St., Brooklyn 11201 718-858-5250
Crest True Value Hardware 558 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn 11211 718-388-9521
Doody Home Centers 2461 E 17th St., Brooklyn 11235 718-648-6000
Frankson True Value Hardware 469 Kings Hwy., Brooklyn 11223 718-375-2873
G & M True Value Hardware 9105 Avenue L, Brooklyn 11236 718-209-0717
Hardware Express True Value 829 E New York Ave., Brooklyn 11203 718-778-2700
Home Depot 585 Dekalb Ave., Brooklyn 11205 718-230-0833
Home Depot 2970 Cropsey Ave., Brooklyn 11214 718-333-9850
Home Depot 5700 Avenue U, Brooklyn 11234 718-692-7296
Home Depot 579 Gateway Dr., Brooklyn 11239 718-827-9568
Home Depot 550 Hamilton Ave., Brooklyn 11232 718-832-8553
Lowe’s 118 2nd Ave., Brooklyn 11215 718-249-1151
Mazzone True Value 470 Court St., Brooklyn 11231 718-624-8494
Midwood Lumber & Millwork 1169 Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn 11230 718-859-8100
Murrays True Value Hardware 4214 Avenue D, Brooklyn 11203 718-629-9555
New York Lumber 600 Utica Ave., Brooklyn 11203 718-774-8900
Nostrand True Value Hardware 1785-87 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn 11226 718-693-6327
Park Ave True Value Home Center 525 Park Ave., Brooklyn 11205 718-403-0100
Pasternacks True Value 5506 18th Ave., Brooklyn 11204 718-232-3900
Pathmark 1525 Albany Ave., Brooklyn 11210 718-859-4600
Pathmark 111-10 Flatlands Ave., Brooklyn 11207 718-649-8225
Pathmark 2965 Cropsey Ave., Brooklyn 11214 718-266-4935
Pathmark 1-37 12th St., Brooklyn 11215 718-788-5100
Pathmark 625 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn 11217 718-399-6161
Pathmark 1245 61st St., Brooklyn 11219 718-853-8633
Pathmark 3785 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn 11235 718-934-6614
Polsteins Home Center 7615 13th Ave., Brooklyn 11228 718-232-5055
Sids True Value Hardware 345 Jay St., Brooklyn 11201 718-875-2259
Sunset Hardware 8111 5th Ave., Brooklyn 11209 718-748-0960
Super Stop & Shop 1009 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn 11226 718-469-1300
Super Stop & Shop 1710 Avenue Y, Brooklyn 11235 718-648-0202
Tarzian True Value Hardware 193 7th Ave., Brooklyn 11215 718-788-4120
Waldbaum’s 3100 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn 11235 718-743-5291
Waldbaum’s 2149-2151 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn 11234 718-531-9115
Waldbaum’s 81-21 New Utrecht Ave., Brooklyn 11214 718-236-8369

QUEENS stores that sell paper lawn & leaf bags:
Clearview Paint & Décor 20-11 Francis Lewis Blvd., Whitestone 11357 718-747-5000
Forest Builders Supply Inc 74-02 Forest Ave, Ridgewood 11385 718-381-5800
Hillside True Value 16921 Hillside Ave., Jamaica 11432 718-297-2656
Home Depot 112-20 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park 11420 718-641-5500
Home Depot 124 04 31st Ave., Flushing 11354 718-661-4608
Home Depot 131 35 Avery Ave., Flushing 11354 718-358-9600
Home Depot 132-20 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica 11434 718-977-2081
Home Depot 50-10 Northern Blvd., Long Island City 11101 718-278-9031
Home Depot 75 09 Woodhaven Blvd., Ridgewood 11385 718-830-3323
Main Star Supply True Value 7610 Main St., Flushing 11367 718-261-7907
Rainbow True Value 3515 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing 11358 718-539-7559
Pathmark 42-02 Northern Blvd., Long Island City 11101 718-937-5722
Pathmark 134-40 Springfield Blvd., Springfield Gardens 11413 718-525-0600
Pathmark 92-10 Atlantic Ave., Ozone Park 11416 718-835-7900
Target Store 135-05 20th Ave., College Point 11356 718-661-4346
Stop & Shop 64-66 Myrtle Ave., Ridgewood 11385 718-381-5136
Stop & Shop 8989 Union Tpke., Ridgewood 11385 718-846-2310
Super Stop & Shop 24926 Northern Blvd., Little Neck 11362 718-423-5601
Super Stop & Shop 34-51 48th St., Long Island City 11101 718-728-7724
Whitestone Hardware True Value 1248 150th St., Whitestone 11357 718-767-9546
Waldbaum’s 156-01 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach 11414 718-738-6875
Waldbaum’s 83-25 153rd Ave., Howard Beach 11414 718-843-5585
Waldbaum’s 75-55 31st Ave., Jackson Heights 11372 718-651-6013
Waldbaum’s 196-35 Horace Harding Expy., Fresh Meadows 11365 718-423-9588
Waldbaum’s 46-40 Francis Lewis Blvd., Bayside 11361 718-224-9302
Waldbaum’s 213-15 26th Ave., Bay Terrace Mall 11360 718-279-3188
Waldbaum’s 35-10 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing 11358 718-445-7472
Waldbaum’s 15-301 10th Ave., Whitestone 11357 718-767-8404
Waldbaum’s 133-11 20th Ave., College Point 11356 718-359-2394
Waldbaum’s 259-01 Union Tpke., Glen Oaks 11004 718-831-6227

STATEN ISLAND stores that sell paper lawn & leaf bags:
Community Hardware 453 Port Richmond Ave., Staten Island 10302 718-442-6299
Doody Home Centers 1677 Victory Blvd., Staten Island 10314 718-872-0099
Eddies Home Center 2076 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island 10306 718-979-7878
Home Depot 2501 Forest Ave., Staten Island 10303 718-273-5069
Home Depot 2750 W Veterans Rd., Staten Island 10309 718-984-4690
Home Depot 545 Targee St., Staten Island 10304 718-818-9334
Lowe’s 2171 Forest Ave., Staten Island 10303 718-448-5244
North Shore Hardware 647 Forest Ave., Staten Island 10310 718-981-1013
Reimans True Value Hardware 1825 Victory Blvd., Staten Island 10314 718-442-1200
Pathmark 3501 Amboy Rd., Staten Island 10306 718-967-6788
Pathmark 2730 Arthur Kill Rd., Staten Island 10309 718-984-7961
Star Supply 3000 Richmond Terrace., Staten Island 10302 718-448-7772
Super Stop & Shop 2795 Richmond Ave., Staten Island 10314 718-761-4856
Village True Value Hardware 262f Arden Ave., Staten Island 10312 718-966-9217
Waldbaum’s 1441 Richmond Ave., Staten Island 10314 718-698-6454
Waldbaum’s 4343 Amboy Rd., Staten Island 10312 718-948-9596
Waldbaum’s 3251 Richmond Ave S, Staten Island 10312 718-967-9029
Waldbaum’s 6400 Amboy Rd., Staten Island 10309 718-966-8393
Waldbaum’s 375 Tompkins Ave., Staten Island 10305 718-447-5690

Promotion of Fall Leaf Program

The DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling promotes the fall leaf program through the following methods:

mailing postcards to residents and institutions in the participating districts
placing ads in community papers in the participating districts
placing posters on leaf collection trucks

leaf-bag-costume Beginning in fall 2007, the DSNY Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling set up info tables at stores (within the city's leaf collection districts) that sell paper lawn & leaf bags. The info tables contained literature about fall leaf collection, composting, and recycling, and also included appearances of the new leaf bag character. Passersby were offered free Polaroid photos of themselves next to NYC's newest recycling mascot.

Other Types of Yard Waste

wood bundle Residents of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island must arrange a pick-up time when discarding any and all tree prunings, firewood, and other organic woody debris. This service is NOT for Christmas tree disposal.

Sections of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and now Staten Island fall within a Federal and New York State quarantine zone for the Asian Longhorned Beetle. As a result, Parks & Recreation will chip all wood generated within the quarantine zone.

The NYC Department of Sanitation NO LONGER collects firewood and wood from trees growing on residential properties in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation will provide free on-site wood chipping and disposal of this material for these boroughs.

For more info on this program, go to the wood debris removal page on the Parks & Recreation website.

Info on Other Composting Programs

For information on the Department's other composting programs, see Composting in New York City: A Complete Program History. To learn more about the Department-funded compost education and outreach program run through the City's botanical gardens, visit compost project programs. To find out what DSNY does with collected leaves, go to fall leaves.

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