Muscatine's Singular Spring Leaf Collection: A Call to Action for Residents

 This year, Muscatine's Department of Public Works announces a solitary opportunity for residents to participate in the city's springtime leaf collection service. Community members are encouraged to ready their rakes and gloves, and assemble their leaf piles at the curbside by the morning of Monday, April 1, in time for the collection kickoff in Zone 1.

"As the season changes, we're deploying one leaf collection vehicle starting next Monday," stated Tyson Wedekind, the city's Roadway Maintenance Supervisor. "We'll conduct a single pass through each zone, so we're asking our residents to prepare their leaves for pickup by the start of April."

The collection process will commence in Zone 1, progressing through each zone without a return visit. This year, the Public Works Department will not accept specific requests for leaf collection.

Due to the variable nature of leaf volumes, the department has not set a fixed schedule for the leaf truck. Once a zone is serviced, the crew will move on to the next, with no return trips planned.

Residents are advised to have their leaves ready for pickup by Monday morning, particularly in the initial zones. For those who miss the curbside collection, alternative options include using the leaves as mulch, creating a compost pile, or bagging them in 20- or 30-gallon paper bags sealed with a City of Muscatine sticker for pickup on standard garbage collection days.

The city also permits residents to bring their bagged leaves to the Muscatine Transfer Station's Compost Facility. Bags must be secured during transport to avoid spillage.

City of Muscatine stickers, required for yard waste collection, are available at various locations, including the Transfer Station and City Hall.

For additional information or inquiries about the stickers, residents can contact the Muscatine Transfer Station.

Leaf collection guidelines emphasize placing leaves near but not on the street, avoiding inclusion of non-leaf materials, and ensuring the leaf piles do not obstruct traffic or city infrastructure. The city aims to maintain cleanliness and efficiency in this process, contributing to Muscatine's community and environmental well-being.