Leaf collection to start on April 4 in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The Solid Waste and Recycling Division of the City of Cedar Rapids will begin running leaf vacuum vehicles on Monday, April 4, according to the city.

When it comes to leaf collection, residents should expect it to take place on their normal trash day unless the trucks are delayed by bad weather or a high number of leaves, in which case the division will make every effort to reach any missed homes the following day. The program will continue through Friday, April 29.

For collection, residents should arrange their leaves in long rows on the grass or in a parking lot alongside the street by 7 a.m. on their regular trash day. Leaves should be kept away from traffic lanes and away from impediments like mailboxes and poles. Leaves in alleyways will not be collected by the leaf vacuum vehicle.

Because sticks longer than six inches in length might cause the machines to fail, residents are warned that leaf heaps, including sticks and branches, will be passed over for disposal. YARDY carts may be used to dispose of heaps of twigs, loose leaves, and other organic debris throughout the year. The 95-gallon YARDY carts have a weight limit of 300 pounds and can accommodate stacks up to that size.

For any leaves that do not fit in the YARDY cart, paper leaf bags may be used instead. However, leaf bags weighing up to 40 pounds will only be picked up if they are put at the curb beside a fully loaded YARDY cart. Additionally, people should be aware that if their automobiles are parked directly in front of leaf piles, the leaf vacuum vehicle will not be able to gather the leaves.

The leaf vacuum program contributes to the health of local lakes, rivers, and streams by preventing leaves from entering waterways, which are a major contributor of nutrients and a choke point for aquatic life. Leaf vacuuming is an important part of maintaining the health of local lakes, rivers, and streams. It also keeps leaves off of streets and out of storm sewers, lowering the quantity of leaves pushed into storm sewers and decreasing the chance of street flooding due to clogged storm drains.