City of Alexandria
Leaf Zones in Alexandria, VA.
We're still a few weeks away from the peak of fall foliage here in Alexandria, but fall leaf collection will be starting soon.
Starting on Halloween (Monday, Oct. 31), vacuum leaf trucks will start moving through neighborhoods sucking up leaves to be composted.
Alexandria is divided up into five collection zones. Each zone will get three passes by the vacuum trucks for leaf collection. Residents can track their home's status through the Residential Leaf Collection Viewer (an interactive map). Here are the estimated dates for the first collection in each zone:
Zone 1: Nov. 14
Zone 2: Oct. 31
Zone 3: Nov. 3
Zone 4: Nov. 9
Zone 5 Sec A: Oct. 31, Sec B: Nov. 4, Sec C: Nov. 10, Sec D: Nov. 15.
Residents may also bag their leaves in biodegradable paper bags. The City of Alexandria provides these bags free of charge to residents at these locations on the following dates while supplies last. Residents may only take 15 bags per household and bags are available now:
- City Hall, 301 King Street (Main Lobby) Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- City of Alexandria Self-Serve Shed, Corner of Roth Street and Business Center Drive Available 24/7
- Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Patrick Henry Recreation Center, 4653 Taney Avenue Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Chinquapin Recreation Center, 3210 King Street Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Not into raking or leaf blowing?
If you can, organizations like the National Wildlife Federation recommend using a mulching mower to cut up leaves into smaller pieces and leaving them on the ground. Small animals, insects and beneficial bugs will appreciate it. The leaves will naturally break down over the winter and leave you with a healthier yard in the spring.
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FAIRFAX COUNTY
Fairfax County provides vacuum leaf collection services in some areas, but not all areas. To find out if your residence is served, view the service area map available here.
The following are estimated dates of leaf collection by zone in Fairfax County:
