Leaf Collection To Begin In Late October In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Leaf collection season is about to begin in Alexandria as more leaves start to change colors and fall from trees. The City of Alexandria will start leaf collection on Oct. 31 and continue into January.

The city is split into five collection zones for leaf collection with Old Town's zone split into four mini zones. Each zone has a start date and will receive three passes throughout the collection season.

Zone 1, which includes areas of the West End west of Jordan Street, will have a tentative start date of Monday, Nov. 14. Zone 2, in areas below King Street between Jordan Street and the King Street/Eisenhower Avenue Metro stations, will have leaf collection start Monday, Oct. 31.

Zone 3, areas north of King Street, west of Russell Road and below city limits to the north, will have collections start Thursday, Nov. 3. Zone 4, which includes Del Ray and parts of Arlandria, Rosemont and Potomac Yard will have collections start Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Old Town's Zone 5 is split into four mini zones. Zone 5A in the northwest quadrant will have collections begin Monday, Oct. 31. Zone 5B, the northeast quadrant, will have a start date of Friday, Nov. 4. Zone 5C, the southwest quadrant, will have collections begin Thursday, Nov. 10. Zone 5D in the southeast quadrant will have collections start Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Residents can prepare for leaf collection by raking leaves to the curb for vacuum collection. Leaves should not be combined with other brush, as the city says this can injure workers, damage equipment or cause delays.

Leaves may be placed in paper leaf bags but will be treated as trash if left in plastic bags. Free biodegradable leaf bags are available for free at various city locations starting Monday. The limit is 15 bags per household.

Here are the locations for free bags:

• City Hall, 301 King Street (Main Lobby): Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• City of Alexandria Self-Serve Shed, Corner of Roth Street and Business Center Drive: Available 24/7
• Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Chinquapin Recreation Center, 3210 King Street: Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Another option is composting leaves and yard waste at home.

Start dates for leaf collection are tentative. For updates, visit alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection or sign up for the city's Resource Recovery Updates by email.