What to do with yard waste.

You Rake it, we’ll take it


Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) will soon begin to collect fallen leaves throughout Marion County. Last year, more than 20 million pounds of leaves were collected during the annual leaf collection program.


From Monday, November 5 through Friday, November 30, up to 40 bags will be picked up in hand-collection areas each week; No more than 10 items may be regular household trash. In automated collection areas, where customers use a 96-gallon cart for their regular trash, 30 bags of leaves will be collected each week. All leaves must be bagged and placed at least 3 feet away from the cart to allow DPW trucks to continue to service the cart.


To ensure a successful collection effort, Indianapolis residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines:

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Place leaves in plastic or paper bags
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Place leaf bags out by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day
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Clearly identify and separate bags of leaves from regular trash (Place them on opposite sides of the driveway, place in different colored bags, or use different color tie wraps)


Because leaves can be recycled into a useful end product, DPW composts the leaves collected and makes them available to the public free of charge. Compost can be used as a soil conditioner, potting soil or mulch. Using compost improves soil aeration, drainage and nutrient exchange – improving the health of lawns and helping gardens grow. Free compost from last year’s program may now be available at the Southside Landfill, 2577 S. Kentucky Ave., (317) 247-6808


As a reminder, it is illegal to burn leaves in Marion County. Smoke from burning leaves pollutes the air with many harmful particles, and is hazardous to young children and people with heart and lung disease.


Residents also should take special care to ensure that sewer inlets and drainage pipes are kept clear of leaves and debris to avoid serious drainage and flooding problems.


For further information please call the Mayor’s Action Center at 327.4622 or visit www.RecycleIndianapolis.org.


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