Blog: City Blog

City Crews Officially Launch 'Leaf Season' Today

Leaf season officially starts today for the City's Public Service Department crews.

Public Service Department employees Joseph Waterson and Chris Stanford vaccuum up leaves on Myrtlewood Drive.

“Leaf Season” begins today, which means the City's Public Service Department crews are making the rounds throughout neighborhoods to collect fallen leaves.

Over the next three months, City workers will pick up more than 7,000 tons of leaves.

“Residents of Knoxville consistently rate this service as one of the most valuable that the City offers — just behind the Police and Fire departments and trash pick-up,” Public Service Director Chad Weth said.

The Public Service Department makes a big effort to reach every Knoxville home 3 to 4 times during “Leaf Season.”

“Our busiest times are just before Thanksgiving and the week of Christmas,” said Chris Webster, a Public Service Department manager. “Everyone wants to show off a clean yard to family and friends.”

Collection schedules vary, but residents can call 311 to receive a general timeline for when their house will be serviced next, or they can visit https://leafpickup.cityofknoxville.org/ and type in their street address. For general information, visit http://www.knoxvilletn.gov/publicservice.

Here are a few very important tips so residents can maximize this service:

-- Do not rake leaves into the street. Passing cars likely will scatter and crush the leaf pile before it can be vacuumed up by a Public Service crew.
-- Try not to block drainage ditches.
-- A long, thin row of leaves is better than a short, wide one.
-- Also, please don’t mix brush into leaf piles. The City will not pick up mixed piles of leaves, brush or other refuse because the leaf collection equipment is designed to vacuum up leaves and can be damaged by brush.

Once the leaf collection wraps up, the leaf litter is sent to Shamrock Organic Products, which processes it into mulch and soil, great for landscaping and gardens. Residents and businesses can purchase this mulch from Shamrock by calling 865-524-0109.

Posted by evreeland On 02 November, 2015 at 12:35 PM