City of Cambridge

2021 Leaf Collection Program

The fall leaf pickup begins mid-October and continues weekly according to the schedule below. City of Cambridge residents are encouraged to follow the 4-Step Leaf Collection Program outlined below to properly collect and dispose of leaves throughout the city.

THE (4) STEPS TO FALL LEAF PICKUP

STEP 1: Be a resident that is actively participating in the City of Cambridge’s trash collection program. Contact the Department of Public Works (DPW) at 410-228-1955 if you are not already an active participant.

STEP 2: Bag your leaves using biodegradable or compostable ADSM 64 bags, paper leaf bags, or hard open containers. Residents are allowed to dispose of up to 20 (30 gallon) leaf bags per residence, per week.

STEP 3: Call DPW the Friday prior to being placed on the list for the upcoming pickup day at (410-228-1955). Let the City know that your bagged leaves will be on the curb ready for pickup on your next scheduled day.

STEP 4: Follow this schedule for leaf pickup. The pickup schedule is divided into Wards. If you are unsure of the ward you live in, contact DPW at 410-228-1955. Place your leaf bags on the curb (not in the street) the night before your scheduled pickup.

• MONDAYS: Wards 1, 2 and 3

• TUESDAYS: Wards 4, and 5

DON’TS:

DO NOT put items other than leaves in the leaf bags. The City of Cambridge will not pick up leaf bags containing weeds, grass, sticks, trash, etc. If your leaf bags contain anything other than leaves, it’s no longer a leaf bag, they will be left at the curb, and you must dispose of them yourself. The pickup is for leaves only!

DO NOT put leaves in the street or other areas where they can obstruct the flow of water. Residents are prohibited from placing leaves in gutters, ditches, or streets as per the City of Cambridge Ordinance Section 16-9 which states the following:

Sec. 16-9. - Depositing debris in gutters or sidewalks.

No person shall deposit in the gutters or streets any ashes, leaves or other debris or material which might or could obstruct the free flow of water.

TIPS:

Shredding leaves with a mower will save time and money. Mulching is faster and easier on the back than raking. It’s also easier on the wallet (no bags needed). The decomposing leaves and grass cover the soil between the individual grass plants where weeds can germinate. Studies have found that homeowners can attain a nearly 100% decrease in dandelions and crabgrass after mulching leaves for three years. Mulched leaves keep the soil warmer in winter and cooler in summer and the nutrients provided by mulching reduce the amount of fertilizer needed to achieve a green lawn in the spring.

“Be super eco-friendly: Especially in your backyard, leave the leaves! Leaves provide critical habitat for lightening bugs and Luna moths.”

This notice is provided by DPW and the Cambridge Clean Water Advisory Committee. If you have any questions, contact the Department of Public Works at 410-228-1955.