Leaf Collection FAQ
Information on Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Leaf Collection Program
Each fall, the Town receives many inquiries from citizens regarding the leaf collection program. The following information may be useful in understanding the Leaf Collection Program. If you have questions which are not answered here, please contact the Customer Service & Information Center at 860-647-5235.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
How can I dispose of my leaves?
Answer: Residents have four options for disposing of leaves:
1) Residents can rake leaves to the curb for vacuum collection. Do not place leaves in the street or block sidewalks.
2) You can put the leaves out at the curb in paper bags. Leaf bags can be purchased at the Customer Service & Information Center in Town Hall, or at the Transfer Station 311 Olcott St. Yard waste is collected weekly on the day of your regular trash pick-up for 10 months of the year, beginning on the 3rd Monday in March and finishing on Friday of the 2nd full week the following January. 30-gallon bags may be purchased in bundles of 5 for $2.00. Paper leaf bags purchased from retail stores are also acceptable.
3) Residents can also bring loose or paper bagged leaves to the Manchester Transfer Station composting area on Olcott Street year round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (No brush or plastic bags, please.)
4) ONLY Residents may bring loose or paper bagged leaves to the leaf drop-off site located in the parking lot of 263 Olcott Street from October 11th through December 31st, after 2:30 p.m. (No brush or plastic bags, please. No Contractors are allowed to use this drop-off site.)
Where should I put my leaves for vacuum pickup?
Answer: Leaves shall be raked to the edge of your property along the street. Do not cover sidewalks or block streets with leaf piles. It is a Violation of Town Codes to block sidewalks and streets with leaves.
The Town has already picked up leaves on my street. Will they be coming back?
Answer: No, each street will have only ONE vacuum collection. If all the leaves haven’t fallen yet and the trucks have been through your street, you still have the option of putting them in paper bags for curbside collection, bringing them to the Transfer Station or after Transfer Station hours at the Leaf Drop-off area, located in the parking lot at 263 Olcott Street. It is possible that leaves on one side of a street will be collected up to two or three days in advance of the other side of the street.
What if it snows before the program is over and the leaves haven't been picked up?
Answer: The Town Highway department will resume leaf collection when weather conditions allow. If we experience significant early snow or cold weather conditions, our leaf machines can no longer be used to collect leaves. The Town vehicles used to pick up leaves are the same vehicles used to plow. Once switched over for snow, they will not be switched back for leaf pick-up until spring, if necessary. In some cases, this may require the use of other equipment such as front-end loaders to remove leaf piles.
I’m hiring a contractor to rake my leaves. When should I have him put them out to edge of my property?
Answer:
Vacuum Collection will begin the 13th of November in Area 1, and Area 2 will commence after Area 1 completion. The listing of streets in each area can be found on our web site:
https://www.manchesterct.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Leaf-Collection-Program
You can also call the Customer Service & Information Center at 860-647-5235 to find out which Area your street is in. We advise that leaves be raked to the edge of your property in advance of the area start date.
Why didn’t they vacuum in front of my house?
Answer: The truck might have been full and they returned to the Transfer composting area to empty it or the weather might have interfered. If it snows, the Highway department has to stop the collection to change the equipment on the truck for snow and ice removal. If there were any vehicles parked in front of your house, crews would not have been able to get to the leaves and will not be returning.
Why don't you wait for all of the leaves to fall before starting the collection?
Answer: With over 750 roads within the Town, we must start early enough to allow time to cover every street before any major weather occurrence.
You can call the Customer Service & Information Center at 860-647-5235 for further questions. Our office is open from 8:30 am - 5 pm (M-F).