Leaf Vacuum Collection Begins Nov. 8 In Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Leaf collection is starting again in Montgomery County Nov. 8, with two collection dates varying by location. Residents can find their collection date by entering their home address into the county's website.

Leaf collection is bound by the following areas, according to the county: I-495; I-270; the Rockville City limits; Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant roads; Northwest Branch Park; and the Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County lines.

The leaves that are collected will be composted and made into fertilizer.

“This is an environmentally friendly and sustainable composting program that keeps fall leaves out of our storm drains,” said County Executive Marc Elrich in a statement. “This valuable service helps our neighborhoods and provides a great product.”

In order to have your leaves picked up pile them near, but not in, the street. There can not be any plastic mixed in. Tree branches and garden debris should be packaged separately to be picked up during yard trim recycling pick-up.

The county is asking residents to avoid leaving leaves near road shoulders, bike lanes and rain garden because they can pose dangers to cyclists if it rains and can interfere with snow removal, among other issues.

“Last leafing season, crews collected 97,000 cubic yards of leaves,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin in a statement. “The leaves are collected and stored for a year, then mulched and composted at a local facility and sold as Leafgro. This popular fertilizer is sold in area hardware and lawncare stores. Profits generated by these sales go back into the leafing program, reducing the cost to residents who participate in the program.”

Anyone who does not live within the zone for pick-up can have leaves removed through the regular recycling and yard trim days, if leaves are left out in paper yard trim bags or reusable containers. Another option is to bring leaves to the Shady Grove Transfer Station.

Need more info about leaf collection? Look here.