Valparaiso’s fleet of leaf vacuum crews will be out through Dec. 4, weather permitting, announced Matt Evans, Director of Public Works. “We try to be flexible in our leaf schedule and in an effort to accommodate residents, we’ll extend the service,” he said. Because neighborhoods vary in leaf production, the city is unable to commit to a specific pick-up day for each neighborhood. However, Public Works will rotate throughout the entire city each week through Dec. 4, including Saturdays as necessary.
Residents can help improve efficiency by keeping non-leaf items out of their leaf piles as debris can damage equipment and lead to downtime for repairs. Please note that before and after Dec. 4 when the pick-up season ends, leaves must be bagged (in biodegradable bags) for pick up. Likewise, there are no scheduled leaf pick ups in the spring, so any leftover leaves from the fall season must be bagged for pick up.
In Your Neighborhood
When it comes to leaves, remember:
Crews begin at 7:00 a.m. and continue until dark, if necessary.
Leave your leaves near the curb in the right-of-way (between the sidewalk and curb) – off the street -- for pick up. Leaves cannot be picked up in alleys.
Leaves should be the only thing in the pile – no sticks, bricks, boards or other items. Public Works cannot pick up mixed piles with brush and leaves together until separated by the resident. Public Works does not pick up any debris from contractors, regardless of the time of year.
Additional items should be placed off the street, near the curb.
Please park cars away from your leaf pile so that we can get close enough to remove all of your leaves.
Although it’s preferable to leave leaves unbagged and uncovered through Dec. 4, leaves may be placed in biodegradable bags (NO plastic) or covered with a tarp at the curb to prevent them from blowing.
Please bag any leaves remaining after the leaf pick-up season ends on Dec. 4, weather permitting.
For more information about leaf pick up, or other services of Public Works, visit the city’s web site at www.valpo.us.