New Canaan Announces 2023 Leaf Pick Up, Compost Area Plans

NEW CANAAN, CT — Beginning Oct. 30, New Canaan Public Works vacuum trucks will pick up leaves that have been raked to the curbside by homeowners in areas of town zoned as one acre or less.

In those areas, leaves are to be raked along the street curb in a windrow, not a pile, according to a news release provided by the town. The leaves will be recycled into garden compost, so they must be free of brush and debris and not be in plastic bags, as these items are prohibited and will also clog the vacuums and cause breakdowns and delays.

Leaves may be raked to the curbside until Nov. 26. Leaves put out after that date will not be collected by the town, officials said.

Residents in the 2 or 4-acre zones of town are requested to compost their leaves on their own property. Vacuum trucks will not collect in those areas, according to town officials.

Residents, and yard maintenance contractors who are picking up leaves from New Canaan properties may deposit leaves at the town's composting area, which is located on Lapham Road near the entrance to Waveny Park.

Contractors must have a proper permission form signed by the New Canaan property owner. The forms are available at the Town Highway Department at 139 Lakeview Avenue or online here.

Contractors will be screened to ensure that the leaves originate in New Canaan. Anyone found violating this policy will be suspended from using the facility for an appropriate period of time as determined by the Director of Public Works, according to town officials.

The composting site is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 9.

Composted material is usually made available to local residents the following spring to enrich the soil in their gardens, according to town officials.

For more information, call the New Canaan Highway Department at (203) 594-3704.