BLOOMINGTON, IL - Public Works crews will use brush pickup equipment and leaf vacuums for curbside leaf collection starting on November 4 for the Fall 2024 Leaf Collection. The collection is expected to take about six weeks, but it may be extended if a large amount of material is set out for collection or if there is inclement weather.

Brush (trees, shrubs, and bushes) and garden trimmings (flowers, plants, fruit and vegetable trimmings and pumpkins) will be picked up at the same time as leaves. Bulk will not be collected until after the Fall 2024 Leaf Collection is complete. Leaves, brush and trimmings will not be collected on November 11, November 28 and November 29, which are municipal holidays.

Crews will start in the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday garbage and recycling routes (Zone 1 Blue and Orange, Zone 3 Blue and Orange and Zone 5 Blue and Orange). Please place leaves behind the curb as soon as possible, as crews may start the next collection area earlier than anticipated. Public Works will provide daily updates using the interactive map on the Leaves webpage at www.bloomingtonil.gov/leaves that will show where collection has been completed.

Piles of leaves that include garbage, brush, garden trimmings, bulk or any other type of waste will not be collected. A flag will be left at the pile indicating it is unserviceable. Leaves must be placed behind the curb, not in the street, in piles no higher than 3 feet. Leaves may not be placed in containers or biodegradable bags during fall leaf collection.

Once the Fall 2024 Leaf Collection is complete, Public Works will resume regular leaf, brush, trimmings and $25-per-loader-bucket bulk collection according to the 2024 Leaf, Brush, Trimmings, & Bulk Calendar.

Leaves placed in the street can create a hazard for children who may play in the leaves, cause a traffic crash, or cause sanitary sewer or storm water infrastructure issues, including sewer backups. In addition, covering manholes, water valves, and inlets with leaves or other debris creates a safety hazard for City crews and the public. When raking leaves, make sure that leaves are in the parkway, not in the street, and that manholes, water valves, or inlets are clear. Any issues caused by leaves placed in the street are the liability of the homeowner.

Solid Waste customers may also take leaves, brush, trimmings, bulk, concrete, rock, shingles, brick, and appliances to the Citizen Convenience Center located at 402 S. East Street in Bloomington (south of the Bloomington Public Library). There is an additional charge for concrete, rock, shingles, and brick taken to the center. Each material must be cleaned so that it does not contain dirt. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 7 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. It is closed on Sunday, Monday, and holidays.  Regular household trash and Household Hazardous Waste are not accepted at the center.

In addition, customers have the option to mulch their leaves or place them into a composting pile. Mulching leaves on a lawn or placing mulched leaves in a garden can provide much-needed nutrients to plant life. Additional information about composting is available through the Ecology Action Center at: www.compostbn.org.

For more information on leaf collection,  visit www.bloomingtonil.gov/leaves, email publicworks@cityblm.org or call 309-434-2225 during regular business hours.