City of Grosse Pointe Farms - Loose- leaf collection
The main objective of the Loose-Leaf Collection Program is to increase the level of service to the residents while protecting the local infrastructure and environment.
It is estimated that the average resident spends six hours per season bagging leaves (depending on leaf bulk and size of lot). With more than 4,000 households in the community, the loose leaf collection method reduces the overall time spent bagging by 24,000 hours. Not having to purchase special bags for leaf collection saves money and
time.
The new system has proven to be very effective. In one day, three public works crews collected 150 tons of leaves. This is three times the volume collected under the old system. Although the volumes have multiplied, the work can still be handled in a normal
work week. This is due to the efficient use of the broom-and-chute method. This innovative design was awarded the “Superior Innovation” from the Michigan Municipal League.
Although this method is a superior innovation, there are still some challenges that arise every year. These include cars parked on leaf piles, piles scattering in the wind, and challenges that come with 73 dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs.
Success is dependent on a few Dos and Don’ts:
1) Do not park in the street during collection day- leaf piles that are
inaccessible cannot be collected. Due to equipment and manpower
demands, there will be no “special pick-ups” for leaf piles that are
obstructed by a vehicle, or put out after crews have passed by.
2) Do not put leaves in the street until prior to 5pm the night before your collection day, but they may be stored at the curb, up to 4 feet from the curb.
3) Do not allow children to play in leaf piles near the street. It may be fun forthem, but it puts kids in extreme danger from passing vehicles.
4) Do separate brush from leaf piles. This way, the brush can be collected and loaded by hand.
5) Do exercise caution when driving around our leaf collection crews. Our City has many narrow streets, dead ends and cul-de-sacs that are
challenging for crews to maneuver on.
6) Contractors are expected to remove their own debris.
7) As always once the loose leaf collection begins it will be the business day after your rubbish collection.
Your cooperation in following these requests will help our DPW workers do their jobs safely and efficiently.
