Rockville Leaf Collection to Begin Oct. 20

The City of Rockville will vacuum leaves from neighborhood curbs in two cycles, beginning Monday, Oct. 20.

Residents should rake leaves into the gutter or immediately adjacent to the pavement if no curb or gutter exists. Leaves can be raked anytime immediately before or during collection week.

• DO: Place leaves at the curb by 6 a.m. on the collection dates. Sticks and all other objects must be removed from the leaf piles.
• DO: Use alternatives methods for disposing of leaves such as mulching or composting. This saves collection and disposal costs.
• DO NOT: Use plastic bags. Biodegradable paper lawn bags are acceptable.
• DO NOT:Dump leaves, grass clippings or other yard waste into storm drains, along stream banks or directly into streams. Although yard waste is biodegradable and may seem harmless, excess quantities can clog storm drains or cause blockages that contribute to localized flooding. Decomposing leaves can also release nutrients, stimulating algae blooms that lead to fish kills.

After fall collection dates, leaves may still be set out in paper lawn bags or 32-gallon trash cans with yard waste on residents’ regular recycling and refuse collection day.

An interactive map at www.rockvillemd.gov/leafcollection allows residents to input their address to learn when their leaves will be collected.

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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