Recycle

Philadelphia Leaf Recycling is Back for 2019

The Streets Department’s 2019 Philly Leaf Recycling Program begins on Tuesday, November 12 and runs through Saturday, December 21. 

Here’s the deal to compost those leaves THE RIGHT WAY:

  • USE BROWN BAGS. Bagged leaves will only be accepted in biodegradable paper bags.  These bags can be processed for recycling along with the leaves. This reduces contamination in the recycling process.
  • Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves. This contaminates those leaves!
  • Use as many bags as needed, max 40 lbs. each.
  • Buy those bags at most hardware stores – support your local store if you have one. (No freebies from the Streets Department.)

Leaf Drop-Off Program 2019

Drop off your bagged leaves on Saturdays (minus 11/16 and 11/30) at 13 designated locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Drop-off locations include:

Pennway St. & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Recreation)Northeast
15th & Bigler St.South
43rd St. & Powelton Ave.West
4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Recreation)Northwest
54th & Woodbine Ave.West
7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Recreation)Northeast
American & Thompson Sts.North
Broad & Christian St.South
Castor & Foulkrod St.Frankford
Cathedral St. & Ridge Ave.Northwest
Corinthian & Poplar St.North
Graver Lane & Seminole St.Northwest
Washington Ln. & Ardleigh St.Northwest

You can also drop off bagged leaves at Sanitation Convenience Centers:

2019 Mechanical Leaf Collection Schedule

The city collects leaves in 6 collection areas, using leaf blowers and mechanical sweepers to move leaves into the street. Check out this city map to see if your street will be covered.

1Oak Lane & Frankford11/12/19 – 11/15/19
2West & South11/18/19 – 11/22/19
3Northeast11/25/19 – 11/29/19
4Northeast12/2/19 – 12/6/19
5Northwest12/9/19 – 12/13/19
6Northwest12/16/19 – 12/20/19
Mechanical Leaf Collection Map

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Drumroll for the 2025 SustainPHL Award Recipients

Let's sail-ebrate the latest changemakers who are moving the region towards a sustainable, equitable place.…

3 days ago

Community farm preservation, curbing animal cruelty, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Community Farm gets closer to community ownership. The…

4 days ago

Did you hear? There’s an election on November 4th, and your voice (or sitting at home) can impact the environment.

Philadelphia residents will not only vote on who will be the next district attorney, but…

7 days ago

Nature Challenge results, National Walk & Roll to School Day, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Transit advocates demand better SEPTA funding. On Tuesday…

2 weeks ago

Philly wants more trash cans and trees, believes civic engagement is key

Part Two of Every Voice, Every Vote research revealed that Philly takes pride in community…

2 weeks ago

For this community, Building a ‘Green” city is an act of resistance.

The Green Building United Groundbreaker Awards celebrated local innovative projects using passive house, LEED and…

2 weeks ago