Loose leaf pickup has begun in Raleigh and Cary. What you need to do.
Loose leaf pick up has begun in Raleigh and Cary.
Here’s how to prep your leaves for removal in Wake County’s two largest municipalities.
Raleigh
The city will pick up loose leaves twice starting from now through February.
Raleigh divides the city into 12 zones, each set to be picked up a different week. The first pass is expected to be done by the end of January, with a second pass starting after that. However, wet weather has historically caused some delays. Go to raleighnc.gov/leaf for the latest schedule.
In Raleigh, people can also mulch or compost their leaves, hire a landscape contractor to cart the leaves away or take their leaves to the city’s yard waste recycling center at 900 N. New Hope Road.
Residents can put leaves in their 95-gallon lime green yard waste cart or place up to 15 biodegradable paper bags at the curb for collection.
People in Raleigh can also contact the city’s “Leaf Line” with questions or for schedule updates at 919-996-3720.
Cary
Cary will collect loose leaves at no charge three times from each street between now and February,
The town’s loose-leaf collection began for all residents Monday, Oct. 30, and will take place again Nov. 27 and Jan. 6.
Residents should place their leaves on the curb and out of the street by 7 a.m. at least one week before collection day.
Collection times for individual areas can be found on an interactive map on Cary’s website, cary.gov/leaves.
Residents will be charged a fee for any additional pickup requests on loose leaf collection days.
As an alternative, leaves can be placed curbside in reusable containers or brown paper bags for weekly yard waste collection or taken to the Citizen’s Convenience Center at 313 N. Dixon Ave.
Contractors getting rid of leaves for homeowners can dump them at the convenience center for free over five business days.
Here’s what you can do for a smooth pick-up:
Avoid covering sidewalks, storm drains, water meters, fire hydrants and sewer clean-outs
Keep piles at a distance from mailboxes or parked cars
Keep trash, large stones, and other debris out of leaf piles
Keep pet waste out of leaf piles
Consider trimming low hanging limbs in front of your residence so collection vehicles and workers can reach the limbs
Do not park in front of leaf piles and do not place holiday decorations within four feet of leaf piles
