(Washington, DC) – The Bowser administration, through the Department of Public Works (DPW), asks residents who receive DPW curbside sanitation collection to prepare now for the city’s free leaf collection service. Raked leaves will be collected twice from each neighborhood between November 4 and January 24, 2020, weather permitting.

Residents who receive DPW services were recently mailed brochures with details about leaf collection schedules in all District neighborhoods. They are asked to rake their leaves into their tree boxes (or curb if there is no tree box) the Sunday before their scheduled collection week.

“The best way to ensure a successful leaf collection season is to provide residents with all the information they need to be prepared,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart. “Review the information mailed to your homes, rake out your leaves properly and sign up for MyDPW to receive real-time Information.”

Officials also note that the leaf program has expanded its fleet so residents can expect fewer delays in collection service.

“Historically, snow events have disrupted the leaf collection schedule as the District Snow Team deployed,” said Geldart. “During this time, the agency’s leaf collection trucks would stop collecting leaves to be outfitted with snow plows and salt spreaders and then restored for normal leaf operations after the event. They won’t be doing double duty this year.”

Delays may still occur, however, as wet and frozen leaves sometimes hamper the equipment’s ability to function properly. Residents can get updates about any delays by visiting dpw.dc.gov, signing up for MyDPW email or text message alerts at dcdpw.accioalert.com/register, and following DPW on social media.

DPW provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.