On Saturday, November 3, the Streets Division will perform curbside yard waste collection. Crews will be collecting leaves and other yard waste, which includes pumpkins. Streets Division yard waste collection crews will be working a 10-hour shift on Saturday.

Residents who wish to learn if they should put their yard waste to the curb for collection should go to www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste and click on the blue “Pickup Schedule” button.

Once on the Pickup Schedule map, the areas that are shaded green for Pickup Pending should get their yard waste to the curb because crews will be around soon.

When placing yard waste out for collection, residents should never place the material directly in the street.

When it rains on leaf piles in the street, the water carries nutrients like phosphorus into the storm drains. The nutrients lead to toxic algae blooms, murky water, and low oxygen levels in our lakes.

When placing leaves and yard waste out for collection, residents can pile it loose at the road edge or terrace. In order to prevent leaves from blowing into the street, residents may cover their pile with a tarp or they can bag them. Compostable paper bags are easier and faster for Streets Division crews to collect, but plastic bags can be used as well. Bags, either compostable or plastic, should be left open at the top so crews can identify the contents.

More information about keeping streets leaf-free can be found on the Streets Division’s yard waste website, www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste, and also on Ripple Effects, where more can be learned about storm water and the importance of keeping streets leaf-free.

City of Madison residents may also bring their yard waste material to one of the Streets Division’s drop-off sites. The sites are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd., 4602 Sycamore Ave, and 402 South Point Rd. The sites are presently open from 8:30am to 4:30pm seven days a week and until 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These hours will remain in effect until 4:30pm on Sunday, December 2.

Residents can take a brief survey about yard waste collection and learn more about yard waste operations on the Streets Division’s yard waste website, www.cityofmadison.com/yardwaste. Collection time estimates are available by calling the Streets Division’s yard waste hotline at 608-267-2088. Additional information can be provided by contacting the Streets Division offices. Residents west of S. Park Street, should call the west side office at 608-266-4681, and residents east of S. Park Street, including the isthmus, should call 608-246-4532.