Photo courtesy of Fairfax County
Fairfax County officials are considering major changes to leaf collection for residents — including not collecting leaves anymore.
A survey on the Fairfax County government website asks residents to weigh in on proposed changes to county-provided vacuum leaf-collection services. If the county decides to end vacuum leaf collection for residents, the residents who benefitted from the service would no longer pay the tax associated with it.
The survey's introduction states: "We want to hear from you. County staff will share your feedback with the Board of Supervisors to help them make a decision about vacuum leaf collection services for the 2024-2025 season and beyond. A final decision will be made during a public hearing that will be scheduled in the fall of 2023."
County officials cited a variety of difficulties with leaf collection, from staffing to equipment maintenance.
If county leaf collection ended, residents would have the option of having private companies collect their leaves. Some residents may opt to shred the leaves with a mower and let them compost into the ground, which is considered more environmentally-friendly than raking them to the curb. (Small animals and insects use fallen leaves for housing and food.)
Some residents are cheering the potential for ending vacuum leaf collection, calling it a waste of money and environmentally unfriendly. Other residents on online forums have raised concerns about safety for cars and pedestrians, and some residents have raised concerns about having to pay and coordinate with a private company, or handle removing leaves themselves — particularly those who live on properties with many trees.
