The Sanitation Department’s 2026 Fall Leaf Recycling Program begins on Monday, November 2 and runs through Saturday, December 19. The program is one of several services provided by the Sanitation Department to honor the City’s on-going commitment to recycling by helping to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream.
During the seven-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves and multiple tree canopies. The mechanical leaf collection operation will include leaf blowers, mechanical sweepers, and leaf loaders. Crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week, following a strategic schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity.
2026 Mechanical Leaf collection Schedule:
- Oak Lane & Frankford: November 2 – November 6
- West Philadelphia: November 9 – November 13
- Northeast: November 16 – November 20
- Northeast: November 23 – November 27
- South Philadelphia: November 30 – December 4
- Northwest: December 7 – December 11
- Northwest: December 14 – December 18
Follow these tips for mechanical leaf collection:
- To find out when your block is scheduled for mechanical collection:
- View schedule.
- Visit phila.gov/leaf-recycling to search an address.
- View city-wide map.
- Check neighborhood newspaper for articles or ads
- All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 AM the day of mechanical collection. Rake leaves into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary).
- If possible, move your vehicle to an off-street parking location on your scheduled collection day, so crews can remove leaves along the curb line.
- Residents in mechanical areas can also drop off bagged leaves.
- Mechanical collection crews will visit routes only once. Residents are urged to sweep and bag any remaining leaves and set out for collection on trash day or take to any bagged drop-off locations or Sanitation Convenience Center.
Bagged Leaf Drop-off
Bagged leaves may be taken to any of the City’s six Sanitation Convenience Centers, Monday through Saturday from 8a-6p.
- West Philadelphia 3033 S. 63rd Street (63rd & Passyunk Ave.)
- Northwest Philadelphia Domino Lane and Umbria Street
- Northeast Philadelphia State Road and Ashburner Street
- North Philadelphia 2601 W. Glenwood Avenue
- Port Richmond Delaware Avenue & Wheatsheaf Lane
- West Philadelphia 5100 Grays Ave.
Bagged leaf drop-off will also be offered citywide on the following Saturdays only at 15 locations from 9 AM to 3 PM.
- November 7
- November 21
- December 5
- December 12
- December 19
| Drop-off Location | Area |
| 15th & Bigler Sts. | South Philadelphia |
| 43rd & Powelton Sts. | West Philadelphia |
| 4800 Wayne Ave. (Happy Hollow Rec Center) | Germantown |
| 54th & Woodbine Ave. | West Philadelphia |
| 7901 Ridgeway St. (Fox Chase Rec Center) | Northeast |
| American & Thompson Sts. | North Philadelphia |
| Broad & Christian Sts. | South Philadelphia |
| Castor & Foulkrod Sts. | Frankford |
| Cathedral St. & Ridge Ave. | Northwest |
| Corinthian & Poplar Sts. | North Philadelphia |
| Graver Lane & Seminole St. | Northwest |
| 52nd & Pine Sts. (Malcolm X Park) | West Philadelphia |
| 4300 Chester Ave. (Clark Park) | West Philadelphia |
| Pennway St & Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec Center) | Northeast |
| Washington La & Ardleigh St. | Northwest |