We collect about 50,000 cubic yards of leaves every year. Long before the first leaf falls, staff analyzes historic data, tree types and density, weather forecasts, state forestry forecasts, and resident feedback to develop the leaf collection schedule. This helps better allocate collection resources and serves neighborhoods when fallen leaves are heaviest.
Did You Know?
You can compost your leaves. Composted leaves make nutrient-rich mulch for flower beds and trees come springtime. Follow these tips to start composting leaves.
Vacuum Collection
Fall 2020 schedule (Monday-Saturday including holidays, except Thanksgiving) (coming soon)
There will be two passes per civic association. Don’t know which civic association you belong to? View the civic association map.
Schedule Information
- Sign up for leaf schedule Listserv email updates.
- Look for neighborhood signs posted three to seven days before each pass: signs will be posted on boundary streets by civic association. The first pass is in November (bright yellow); the second pass is in December (orange).
- Call 703-228-6565 for the recorded schedule by your civic association.
- Watch Comcast Channel 25 or Verizon Channel 40.
- Missed a collection? Bag your leaves for the next weekly collection or wait for the second vacuum pass.
How to Prepare for Vacuuming
- Rake your leaves to the curb (residents with contract lawn services should plan to have their leaves raked before the scheduled vacuum pickup).
- Don’t block roadways with leaves more than seven days in advance of your scheduled vacuum leaf collection as it’s dangerous, blocks traffic and limits street parking. It’s also a potential fire hazard.
- Pile your leaves away from storm drains, water meter covers, low wires and parked cars.
- Remove stones, litter, branches and other debris from your leaves to prevent equipment damage and worker injuries.
- Don’t place leaves in plastic bags or trash carts.
- Never park your car on leaf piles — it’s a fire hazard.
Biodegradable Bag Collection
Leaf bags are collected year-round on your regular trash collection day.
How to Prepare for Collection
- Place your bags at the curb no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before your regular collection day and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.
- Remove dirt, stones, litter and other debris from your leaves.
- Close the bags by folding them top down.
- Don’t use plastic bags. Leaves in plastic bags will NOT be collected.
Biodegradable paper leaf bags are available at most hardware stores. Or you can use any bags left over from the spring. Free bags will also be available beginning late October/early November at the following locations (while supplies last):
Missed or Partial Pickup
Report a missed or partial pickup by 1:30 p.m. the next business day so that we may collect it, or it will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day. You may report it online using our missed pickup form or by calling 703-228-5000 Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Green Organics Cart
Arlington County provides weekly, curbside collection of yard waste to single-family homes, duplexes and some townhomes in Arlington. Yard waste collection will occur each week on your regular scheduled trash collection day. Learn more about our year-round yard waste collection.