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Leaf Collection
There are four ways the Town of Westfield assists residents in disposing of leaves:
- Provides curbside pickup of leaf piles
- Provides curbside pickup of bagged leaves
- Enables residents to bring leaves to the Conservation Center without a permit during leaf season
- Permits your lawn care company to transport leaves to the Conservation Center
KEY DATES
November 6: First of two full leaf collection passes to begin in Zone 1 and Zone 6 (weather permitting)
December 8: Last day leaves can be placed curbside
December 16: Anticipated last day for curbside collection
RETURNING THIS YEAR
- Weekday pick-up schedule supplemented by six Saturdays of collection
- Daily Nixle alerts to notify residents of pick-up locations (subscribe by texting 07090 to 888-777)
For curbside pick-up, the town is divided into ten leaf collection zones, which are now consistent with the curbside recycling zones.
On November 6, weather permitting, collection will begin simultaneously in Zone 1 on the north side and Zone 6 on the south side. Once a zone is completed, collection will move to the next zone in numerical sequence. As always, two full passes of leaf collection are planned.
Collection Guidelines
- Place leaves in narrow rows alongside the curb but leaving a space along the gutter to allow for drainage.
- Do not place leaves any closer than ten feet from any stormwater inlet.
- Do not place twigs, tree branches, pumpkins, grass, or other plant debris, including discarded mums, in the leaf pile. Note that the Town will not pick up leaves with mixed debris, as only leaves are accepted at the Union County compost facilities where the leaves are deposited.
- Before raking leaves to the street, check your daily Nixle alerts to determine in which areas the leaf collection crews are working.
- Whenever possible, do not park on the street when the collection crews are in your zone.
- Do not place leaves in the street after Friday, December 8.
The Westfield Fire Department warns residents to never park a vehicle on a pile of leaves, even if the pile is wet. Hot metal parts in the undercarriage may ignite the leaves and cause a potentially serious fire.
Residents may bag their leaves by placing them in biodegradable paper bags made specifically for this purpose, which will be picked up on the same curbside schedule as leaf piles. Bagging leaves helps to minimize leaf piles in the roadway that obstruct parking and potentially block storm drains.
The Town will provide up to ten free leaf collection bags per household, which can be picked up with proof of residency at the Conservation Center (no permit required), starting on October 23. Bagged leaves must follow the applicable curbside pick-up guidelines.
Residents may bring their leaves to the Conservation Center, at 1300 Lamberts Mill Road, for disposal. Residents do not need a permit to do so during leaf season, but must show proof of residency.
Additional Information
- From October 23 to December 22, the Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm, weather permitting.
- The Center will be closed for Veterans Day (observed (November 10), Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving, as well as from December 23 - January 5.
- The Center will re-open every Saturday in January, from 9 am until 3 pm, weather permitting, for the disposal of Christmas trees (which cannot be placed in the street).
Residents who employ lawn care companies are responsible for informing the company of the leaf collection rules and schedule and for assuring compliance.
Authorized Lawn Care Provider
You may authorize your lawn care provider to transport your leaves to the Conservation Center once per leaf season. To do so, the lawn care company must be registered with the Town of Westfield as an authorized user of the Center. Please take note that lawn care providers will be charged $10 per cubic yard of leaves deposited at the Center.
Guidelines
- Contact your lawn care provider before leaf season to make sure the leaf collection rules and schedule are made known.
- Make sure your lawn care provider does not mix trimmings, grass clippings, twigs, or any other organic plant waste in with the leaves.
An Alternative to Bagging or Curbside Piles
Most lawn mowers can be used to mulch leaves! Here are some reasons to consider it this season.
- Better for the grass: Mulching pulverizes leaves into fragments and adds nitrogen back into the soil as they decompose.
- Saves time: Using the mower can take less time than raking and/or bagging leaves.
- Avoids issues caused by curbside piles: Eliminates the need for a large leaf pile in the street, as well as the related parking and drainage issues.
Help Protect Our Storm Drains
Did you know there are nearly 3,000 storm drains in Westfield? While the Department of Public Works team performs regular cleaning and maintenance of these drains, leaf season is the ideal time to supplement these efforts by participating in the Adopt-a-Drain program. Keeping the Town's storm drains clear protects natural watersheds from pollution and helps reduce localized flooding. To find out more, or to volunteer, visit the Adopt-a-Drain information page.