Leaf Collection Schedule

Fall 2024-2025

The City Public Works Department will again collect loose leaves from the following areas with the leaf vacuum from November 4, 2024 until January 3, 2025. We remind residents to rake the leaves to the curb, but not into the street, and to remove all sticks and stones from the pile as these can damage the machinery. Areas to be collected will be posted as in past years. We also remind residents not to park in front of leaf piles and do not rake your leaves to the curb until the weekend before your scheduled pickup.

*PLEASE MAKE SURE NOT TO RAKE LEAVES INTO STORM DRAINS.

NO COLLECTIONS WILL BE MADE ON THE NOTED HOLIDAYS

Leaf Collection for Greenbelt Homes Inc. (GHI)

Leaves in GHI must be bagged in paper bags. Please don't overstuff bags. Bags should be able to close. Paper bags are available at your local grocery stores and hardware stores. Bags will be collected on yard waste days. Please call 301-474-8004 to schedule a pick-up.

Backyard Composting

With the abundance of leaves available, fall is a great time of year to begin backyard composting. Backyard composting is easy, reduces costs and conserves energy associated with materials collection and processing. You can start a compost pile, make a simple bin from chicken wire, scrap wood or fencing, or purchase a ready-made bin.

The City encourages residents to compost in their backyard. For further information on composting, contact the Public Works Department at 301-474-8004.

Northway Field Mulch Pile

If you would like to take your yard waste to the mulch pile at Northway, please contact Luisa Robles at lrobles@greenbeltmd.gov with your name, address, phone number and email address, and request for a permit.

Guidelines for Disposal of Recyclable Garden Material (PDF)

Permit holders for the Northway field mulch pile must adhere to the following guidelines:

Accepted Garden Recyclables:

• Leaves
• Wood Chips
• Mulch
• Grass Clippings
• Small Branches

Prohibited Items:

• Trash
• Soil
• Tree Trunks or Large Limbs
• Furniture
• Plastic Bags
• Gas Powered Equipment
• Appliances
• Large Rocks or Gravel
• Sheds or Patio Sets
• Invasive species such as bamboo, English ivy, kudzu, barberry, and
  tree of heaven branches, stems, or cuttings

Disposal of Invasive Species

Invasive plant disposal poses a tricky problem. If not properly done, some invasive plants will continue to grow and set seed despite being pulled out of the ground. It is important to know how tenacious your plant is in order to figure out how to make sure you do not spread the infestation through your disposal method. Listed below are recommendations for proper disposal:

Be sure the plant is dead before placing in a mulch or compost pile. Either dry it out in the sun (on a tarp or some impervious surface) so that there is no green whatsoever left on the plant, or bag it in a heavy duty black plastic bag (and be sure to seal it up) for a while until the plants inside have turned to mush. You can clip the roots from the stem before drying it out to further limit the plants resources for survival.

Pull the plant before it has flowered or gone to seed. Certain plants, flowers can mature and set seed even after the plant has been pulled.

If you have flowers and/or seeds on the plant, bring your disposal bag to your weeding site and put the flowers and seed heads into the bag head first so that there is minimal risk in dispersing in transport.

Pile all of the invasive plants in one pile and cover with a tarp fastening it to the ground using rocks, wood or steaks. Monitor the perimeter of the tarp for any escapees. This can be added to over time like a mulch pile.

Illegal Dumping

Illegal Dumping is against the Law and…

• Illegal dumping destroys native meadow, woods and animal habitats by introducing disease, weeds and pests - It also increases the risk of fires
• Illegal dumping attracts more illegal dumping and other criminal activities, decreases community pride and discourages people from visiting affected areas
• Illegal dumping costs local and state governments and the communities millions of dollars a year in prevention and clean-up costs

Anyone may take compost from the piles for their personal use. Only people with permits may leave yard waste at Northway.

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