Get ready - it's time to rake and recycle in preparation for the City of Alexandria's 2009 Leaf Collection program.  Here are the three ways to recycle your leaves:

1)  Rake your leaves to the curb for vacuum truck collection

• Remove stones, litter, branches or other debris
• Avoid placing leaves in from of storm drains, or water meter covers.  Move parked cars off of leaf piles.
• Do not use plastic bags - this is for loose leaves only.
• Leaves must be in piles at the curb and visible, not in alleys or service roads.
• Leaves must be raked out before the earliest scheduled collection day for your area.

2) Place leaves in biodegradable bags for collection

• Use only biodegradable bags because they may be shredded and processed into mulch
• Remove dirt, stones, litter and other debris.
• Bags will be collected one business day after regular trash collection days beginning October 27 - January 4. 

3)  Compost leaves and yard waste

• For detailed information, call the Virginia Extension Service at 703.228.6400.

2009 Alexandria Leaf Collection Service Areas

For specific rake out and start dates in your area, click here.

Happy raking!