Contact: Leo Cheek
Phone: (336) 373-4165  

City's Leaf Collection Program Begins November 12
More than 20 million pounds of leaves were collected in 2006

GREENSBORO, NC -- (October 8, 2007) -- The City of Greensboro’s annual Leaf Collection Program begins November 12. The program provides residents with two scheduled leaf collections for leaves that are raked to the curb.

The schedule is:
• Leaves that are curbside by November 12 will be picked up by December 15
• Leaves that are curbside by December 17 will be picked up by January 25.

To use the Leaf Collection Program simply:
• Rake leaves to the edge of your yard behind the curb - not in the street
• Remove sticks, rocks, and other debris which can damage the City's equipment
• Do not park vehicles on, in front of, or near your leaves.

The leaf collection program helps keep leaves from blocking storm drains and prevents decaying leaves from polluting lakes and streams. The collected leaves are made into compost to fertilize City gardens and landscaped areas. Residents may purchase the compost at the White Street Landfill, 2503 White Street or call 373-2489.

In addition to the collection program, residents are encouraged to recycle their leaves by composting or shredding them and using them as fertilizer for lawns and gardens. You can also use leaves as mulch to protect plants and shrubs. For more information on mulching or composting leaves, call the Guilford County Cooperative Extension Service at 375-5876 or visit http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil/pdf/ag457.pdf.

Greensboro residents can also use the City’s year-round yard waste pickup for leaves. Simply put your leaves in clear plastic bags or in a plastic or metal garbage can and set them at the curb on your regular trash collection day.

The leaf collection schedule may change due to inclement weather. The program does not service private streets.

Once the leaf collection program begins, residents can check the status of collection by visiting an interactive map located at www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/fieldops or by calling 373-CITY (2489).

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