Concord Fall Leaf Collection Returns Nov. 2 with Changes

Concord Fall Leaf Collection will be returning on November 2nd with an important program change this year due to COVID-19. Traditional leaf vacuums will not be used for bulk leaf collection in order for crews from Concord General Services to practice safe social distancing. Instead, crews will be using leaf loaders. This change will require residents participating in bulk leaf collection to rake their leaves fully into the street in order for the loaders to reach the leaves.

Any leaves not fully in the street will not be reachable and will not be collected. Leaves should not be placed in piles and should be kept tight in windrows along the curb, sidewalk, or edge of the road to keep streets clear. Watch a video demonstration on the City’s website to see where to correctly place leaves and how collection will work this year. Since leaves are required to be in the street for collection, on-street parking should be avoided Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until collection is finished in order to not block access to leaves.

Three crews will collect leaves from different areas of the city, each one alternating their starting locations from last year. One crew will start at the Bow town line and continue their way north, another will start at Blossom Hill Cemetery and work north, while another crew will start on Mountain Road near Fairview Drive and work south on the east side of the river. Bulk collection focuses on residential areas within the City’s drainage system. Visit the City’s website to view a crew sector map to see where crews plan to collect for bulk collection, and once collection starts, residents can view the Fall Leaf Collection Map to see where crews have finished collecting.

It cannot be predicted when crews will reach certain areas due to unpredictable leaf volumes and weather conditions. Therefore, it is important for leaves to be ready by the start of the program to not miss collection. It is also important to remember that leaves must be fully in the street this year. Crews will only collect from areas once and will not be able to return. The only area with a predetermined collection is the area near Concord High School. Residents in this area will receive bulk collection on Veteran’s Day (November 11) in coordination with the school closure in consideration of public safety and to minimize public disturbance as much as possible.

Bulk leaf collection is weather dependent. Residents are advised to be prepared for changes in weather and to remember that snow could possibly suspend collection. To guarantee leaf collection, especially as the weather changes, residents are advised to participate in the City’s bagged collection that will start on November 23 and continue for three weeks through December 11.

Bagged leaf collection is returning for its third year for residents with curbside trash collection. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable yard waste bags and/or labeled rigid containers. Leaves must be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. each Monday during bagged collection, regardless of your scheduled trash day. Collection will not necessarily coincide with trash collection like it does in the spring. Leaves will be collected separately from trash and recycling.

Bagged collection is not weather dependent like bulk collection, but residents are encouraged to be proactive and bag leaves early if necessary ahead of anticipated snow storms to avoid snow cover. The bagged program has been well received by residents, allowing another option for leaf collection. The program provides more predictability and three separate guaranteed collections. It also allows for the chance to get rid of any remaining leaves after crews have already come by your area.

An alternative method is to mulch the leaves into your lawn by running over leaves with a lawn mower or mulching blade. Mulching repurposes the leaves by restoring nutrients to your grass.

Residents also have the option to bring leaves to a local accepting farm or Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center for free with proof of residency for loads smaller than a non-commercial pick-up truck. Brush, branches, and limbs are not acceptable materials for the City’s leaf collection, but can be dropped off separately at Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center for a nominal fee. Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center is located at 10 Intervale Road, off Fort Eddy Road, and is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on November 7, November 14, November 21, and December 5. No Saturday hours on November 28 due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Hours are weather permitting and should be confirmed by calling them ahead of drop off.

Find details maps, frequently asked questions, and more information at www.concordnh.gov/leafcollection.