Kettering leaf collection program extended

Kettering, Ohio – Kettering started its annual leaf collection program on October 18, 2021. The program was originally scheduled to run through November 29, 2011. However, at the December 7, 2021, Kettering City Council meeting, City Manager Mark Schwieterman announced that the City is still collecting leaves and will be extending the program.

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Schwieterman said that the City is currently collecting leaves in District 11. He also said that once District 11 is complete, because of the late falling leaves this year, the City will then begin another sweep through the City to collect leaves in each of the 11 leaf collection districts. Schwieterman believed that the City would probably begin what he anticipates will be the final sweep through the City on either Wednesday, December 9, 2021, or Thursday, December 10, 2021.

Kettering asks residents to follow these guidelines:

1. Rake all leaves to the curb.

2. Do not rake leaves into the street or in any way obstruct traffic.

3. Make sure leaves are not under, between, or around parked cars.

4. Do not block storm drains or waterways.

5. Do not bag your leaves.

6. Do not rake anything except leaves to the curb for pick up. Leaf piles containing other debris will not be picked up by the City.

7. Rake early as this will likely be the final pass through the City to collect leaves for the Fall/Winter.

The City particularly cautions residents to make sure that you only have leaves at the curb for pickup. Branches, sticks, and other yard debris can clog the City’s machinery. The time needed to unclog the machinery throws crews off schedule. So, the City will not pick up leaf piles that have other debris mixed in.

Kettering has divided the city into 11 leaf collection zones. The final run through the City will begin in Zone 1, which is in the Northeast part of the city. Collection through the zones will progress numerically until crews complete leaf collection in Zone 11. Residents can find their collection zone at https://portal.ketteringoh.org/arcgis/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=292f88da706840dfbc69f48fc02d781a.

Kettering will provide daily updates regarding which leaf zones are scheduled for collection on that date. Residents can access the daily update by calling 937-296-3255, visiting the City’s website at https://www.ketteringoh.org/residential-leaf-collection-program/, visiting the City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofKetteringOhio, or by following the City on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kettering_oh.

Kettering collects the leaves for free, so your only cost is the time and energy spent raking the leaves to the curb. In fact, you just might benefit from the program, because the City says that leaves are “… taken to the City’s leaf composting center where leaves will be converted to mulch and compost, then offered free of charge to residents each spring.” The City believes that the Fall leaf collection and composting program is one of the “…most unique and highly valued services…” offered by Kettering.