The city of Raleigh is changing its leaf collection process this fall so that vacuum trucks will no longer collect raked piles from the curb.
Now, leaves must be placed in designated green recycling bins or on the curb in biodegradable bags. Residents can have a maximum of 15 bags on the curb at one time.
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The best way to manage leaf collection is to rake leaves into garden beds and let nature take its course.
The city of Raleigh wrote on its website:
This change will help keep our streets and storm drains clean and clear of leaves and other yard debris. It will also help the city work more efficiently, freeing up crews for other key services.
The Raleigh City Council approved the change last year. Some residents were opposed to the new collection plan.
“The city doesn’t want to do something we already pay them to do, and they’ve already purchased equipment to do it,” said Matthew Sparks, a Raleigh resident. “Now, I have to take money out of my own pocket to buy paper bags and put leaves in? That seems ridiculous.”
The city is offering five free biodegradable bags to residents who visit the Wilders Grove Solid Waste Services Facility at 630 Beacon Lake Drive. After that, residents will have to purchase additional bags from local hardware or grocery stores.
Caroline Sparks said her frustration goes beyond the additional cost.
“As a mom of a three-and-a-half-year-old, I definitely don’t need one more thing to figure out,” she said.
