Concord's Fall Leaf Collection will return with bulk leaf collection starting on Monday, October 30, and bagged leaf collection starting November 20.
Residents who choose to participate in the City’s bulk leaf collection must rake leaves down to the curb for a one-time collection. Crews from Concord General Services will collect leaves as weather permits in different areas of the city, focusing on residential areas within the City’s drainage system.
Starting locations alternate each year; this year crew one will start at Blossom Hill Cemetery and work south, crew two will start on Elm Street in Penacook and work south, and crew three will start on Manchester Street and work north along the east side of the Merrimack River.
Due to unpredictable leaf volumes at the curb and weather conditions, it is unknown when crews will reach certain areas for collection. Residents are encouraged to have leaves ready by the start of the program to not miss collection. Crews can only come to areas once and will not be able to return to areas already collected.
The only scheduled collection is for residents near Concord High School, which takes place on the observed Veterans Day holiday each year in coordination with the school closure to minimize public disturbance as much as possible and in consideration of public safety. A map is available on the City’s website of the area scheduled to receive bulk collection on Friday, November 10 (observed).
Trackless leaf loaders will be used for bulk collection, which will require residents to rake leaves fully into the street to be reachable for collection. Residents are advised to not place leaves in piles or around obstructions such as mailboxes, signs, or poles. The City recommends keeping leaves in a tight windrow along the curb, sidewalk, or edge of pavement to keep streets and sidewalks clear. Refrain from on-street parking Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. until collection is complete on the street to avoid blocking access to leaves.
Bulk leaf collection is weather-dependent. Changes in weather and the arrival of snow could suspend collection. Residents are advised to participate in the City’s bagged leaf collection to guarantee leaf collection, especially as the weather changes.
Bagged leaf collection will be available for three weeks to residents with curbside trash collection. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable yard waste bags or in rigid containers labeled for leaves and must be at the curb by 7 a.m. each Monday, regardless of a resident’s trash day. Bagged leaf collection may not coincide with trash collection as it does in the spring. Leaves will be collected separately from trash and could occur before or after a designated trash day. Bags should be at the curb by November 20, November 27, and December 4 for collection each week.
Bagged leaf collection is not weather-dependent like bulk collection, but residents are encouraged to proactively bag leaves ahead of any anticipated snowstorms to avoid snow cover. The City introduced the bagged leaf program in 2018 to provide another option for leaf collection that would have more predictability. This program provides three opportunities for a guaranteed collection.
Alternative methods for leaf disposal include mulching leaves into the lawn, bringing them to a local accepting farm, or dropping them off at Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center (free with proof of Concord/Penacook residency). Brush, branches, and limbs are not acceptable materials for the City’s leaf collection but can be dropped off separately at Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center for a nominal fee.
Gelinas Excavation & Earth Materials Recycling Center is located at 10 Intervale Road, off Fort Eddy Road, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday hours will be available from 8 a.m. to noon on November 4, November 11, November 18, and December 2. No Saturday hours on November 25 due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Hours are weather permitting and should be confirmed by calling ahead of drop off. Visit www.concordnh.gov/leafcollection for more information, frequently asked questions, and maps of crew routes and completed collection areas.
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