Today, Mayor Bowser urged residents to prepare for leaf collections, a free, citywide service provided by the DC Department of Public Works (DPW). This year, DC residents have a new option to receive alerts via text message or email when DPW leaf collection crews will be coming through their neighborhood. To receive alerts, residents can register here.

This free service is provided to households that receive their trash and recycling services from DPW. Residents are asked to rake their leaves into their tree boxes (or curb if there is no tree box) on the Sunday before their scheduled collection week.

DPW will collect leaves twice from each neighborhood between November 5, 2018 and January 19, 2019. To find out when DPW will be coming to their street, residents should consult the leaf brochure mailed to their home or visit DPW’s website.

“Mayor Bowser is focused on delivering high quality services that keep our streets clean and prevents storm drains from getting clogged; and our fall leaf collection operation is vital to achieving her goals,” said DPW Director Chris Shorter. “As part of Mayor Bowser’s sustainability efforts, I’m also proud that the leaves our crews collect, along with those brought to the District’s transfer stations, are composted. By the end of the season, we expect at least 7,000 tons of leaves will have been composted, helping carry out Mayor Bowser’s vision of making DC the most sustainable city in the nation.”

Due to inclement weather, delays may occur in the leaf collection schedule. Wet and frozen leaves hamper equipment’s ability to properly function, and during snow events, DPW equipment and crews are utilized as part of the District’s snow operations. For ongoing updates throughout the season, residents should visit dpw.dc.gov and follow 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 all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.