Ready. Rake. Recycle.
2025 Leaf Collection Season
As the fall foliage gives way to bare trees, leaves piled on Arlington curb space will be vacuumed up by the County and recycled into mulch.
If you prefer to mulch your leaves instead of having them collected, read the "Let Your Leaves Be" section.
Vacuum Collection Schedule
Leaf collection passes begin Monday, Nov. 10. Dates are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen events. Check our online schedule to determine when leaf vacuum trucks will be in your neighborhood and to follow any updates about scheduled passes.
Note: You may see some vacuum leaf trucks in select neighborhoods as part of driver trainings prior to the start of leaf collection on Nov. 10.
What to Know about Vacuum Leaf Collection
- Crews will complete two passes through each neighborhood between November and December, Monday-Saturday, except Thanksgiving Day.
- Look for signs posted around your civic association 3 to 7 days before each pass. The first pass is in November (yellow); the second pass is in December (orange). Note: The date on the sign marks the beginning of the leaf collection window. Leaves may not actually be collected on that date, but should be left at the curb from that date until they are collected.
- Rake leaves to the curb the weekend before the posted start date for leaf collection in your neighborhood. Residents with contracted lawn services should plan ahead to have leaves raked and piled on the curb.
- Residents have the option to place leaves in biodegradable bags for weekly yard waste collection or wait for the second vacuum pass in December.
More Tips to Prepare for Leaf Collection
Leaf Bag Collection
Place leaves in biodegradable paper yard waste bags only. Don't place leaves in plastic bags! Paper yard waste bags will be collected on the same day as your regularly scheduled curbside collection.
Where to Find Leaf Bags
As of Monday, Oct. 27, free biodegradable paper yard waste bags are available at several locations in Arlington County facilities, while supplies last (15-bag limit per household). Biodegradable paper yard waste bags are also available at most hardware stores.
Interactive Leaf Collection Progress Map
Be sure to follow leaf collection progress with our interactive map, starting Nov. 11!
Let Your Leaves Be
It’s always our goal for the Arlington community to practice sustainability at home. Instead of raking your leaves for vacuum leaf collection passes, turn them into leaf mulch that can serve as a nutrient-rich topsoil amendment for your lawn, shrubs or garden beds. Here are a few best practices:
- Ensure mower blades are sharp and remove bag before chopping leaves. Mulching can be done with a lawnmower or a leaf shredder.
- Leave shredded leaves on your lawn or pile them three to four inches deep on garden beds and around shrub roots. This serves as a protective layer during the winter, suppresses weed growth, and promotes water retention.
- Whole leaves can also provide a winter habitat for insects when raked to go around the base of trees, shrubs and garden beds.
Learn more about leaf mulch and composting.
Find more information about fall leaf collection at the Leaf Collection page.
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