The Town of Wake Forest's loose leaf collection program typically begins Oct. 1 and continues through mid-March.
PREPARATION
When preparing leaves for collection, residents are urged to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Place leaves behind the curb, not in the street or gutter, so they do not interfere with traffic or drainage
- Do not mix sticks, rocks, pine cones, limbs or other debris with loose leaves. Our vacuum equipment is only designed to pick up loose leaves, so your cooperation will help prevent mechanical breakdowns.
- If you wish to bag your leaves, our crews will collect a reasonable number of bags above 10 bags/week specified in the Town Ordinance. Although you will receive a notice concerning the additional bags, we understand your desire to have the leaves removed. This policy is only in effect during the months of November and December. Beginning in January, the normal 10 bag limit will be enforced.
COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Crews adhere to the normal yard waste collection schedule by starting and completing a specific day's route before proceeding to the next day's route. When set out on the curb for collection, leaves must be free of limbs, trash, and debris. By doing this, the normally scheduled day for loose leaf collection may not occur until Crews have the opportunity to resume to a normal schedule.
YARD WASTE
Yard waste, such as limbs and brush, should be placed behind the curb in a pile separate from leaves. Again, please avoid creating mounds in the street. Town crews will collect these materials on your normal collection day.
YARD WASTE SPECIFICATIONS
- Limbs and brush larger than one inch but smaller than six inches in diameter must be no longer than six feet.
- Limbs and logs larger than six inches in diameter must not exceed two feet.
- Logs must not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
The Town of Wake Forest limits the weekly amount of yard waste and leaves it collects at each household to four cubic yards (approximately one pickup truck load), so please plan your cleanup accordingly. The Town does not collect stumps or clearing debris from lots and will not pick up debris placed at the curb by private contractors.
For more information about leaf collection and the Town’s yard waste collection schedule, contact Betty Pearce at bpearce@wakeforestnc.gov or (919) 435-9570 or visit the Town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/Residents/PublicWorks_YardWaste.aspx.