Concord Fall Leaf Collection
The City of Concord's Fall Leaf Collection returns on October 30, 2023, with bulk leaf collection. Bagged leaf collection begins on November 20, 2023. View details below for full program information, detailed maps, frequently asked questions, and more.
Bulk Fall Leaf Collection
Starts October 30, 2023, and continues as weather permits
Bulk leaf collection starts on Monday, October 30, 2023, and will continue as weather permits. Residents choosing to participate in this program must rake leaves down to the curb for a one-time collection. Crews will start collecting leaves in different areas of the city (view maps below) and work their way to areas as weather permits. Be prepared for the weather. Snow may suspend bulk collection. Crews will do their best to resume bulk collection if possible if weather conditions change, but this cannot be guaranteed since this program is dependent upon the weather. Residents are encouraged to participate in our bagged collection program (more information below) for guaranteed leaf collection.
Since there is a limited time for crews to get through the city before the onset of winter, they can only come by for collection once. Crews work with a focus on residential drainage areas to keep the City's storm water system clear. Crews will not return to a location already collected. Residents who elect to participate in bulk leaf collection are advised to have leaves ready at the curb by the start of the program to not miss collection. There is no set timeline for when crews will reach certain areas. Unpredictable leaf volumes at the curb and weather conditions make it impossible to know how quickly crews can service an area. Because of this, a schedule of when areas will receive collection is not possible and it is important to be ready at the start of the program.
Trackless leaf loaders will be used to collect leaves raked loosely to the curb for bulk collection. This requires residents who participate in bulk leaf collection to rake all leaves fully into the street so that leaves are reachable for collection. Avoid making leaf piles and keep leaves in a tight windrow along the curb or edge of the road/sidewalk to keep streets/sidewalks clear.
Please avoid on-street parking Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until collection is complete on the street to not block access to leaves.
Crew Starting Locations
*** CHANGE OF PLANS ***
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen staffing shortages, our Highway and Utilities Division will not be able to have three crews performing bulk leaf collection as scheduled. Currently, Crew 2 does not have enough staff to perform this service and bulk leaf collection will be delayed in the Penacook area. As of right now, Crew 1 and Crew 3 will plan to collect leaves as scheduled (see route maps below) and then will plan to collect leaves from the Penacook area as weather permits after first completing collection within their designated routes.
Crews will work as quickly and efficiently as possible to get through these areas and then start collection on Elm Street in Penacook and work south as weather permits. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as crews work as best as possible within their abilities. We are actively seeking to fill vacancies and hope to restore full operations when possible. Thank you for your patience.
*Please remember that this program is weather-dependent. Snow may suspend collection. Bag your leaves to guarantee collection, or consider alternative options.*
1. Crew 1: South End - Starting October 30, 2023
Our first crew will start at Blossom Hill Cemetery and work south, as shown in green.
2. Crew 2: Penacook - DELAYED DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES
Our second crew was planning to start on Elm Street in Penacook and work south, as shown in purple. However, Crew 2 does not have enough staff to perform this service and bulk leaf collection will be delayed in the Penacook area. Crew 1 and Crew 3 will plan to collect from this area as weather permits after first completing their designated areas. Since this area is now scheduled to be last for collection, the weather may jeopardize bulk leaf collection. It is highly recommended to bag your leaves to guarantee collection or consider alternative options.
3. Crew 3: East Side - Starting October 30, 2023
Our third crew will start on Manchester Street and work north along the east side of the Merrimack River, as shown in orange.
Fall Leaf Collection Maps
View our Fall Leaf Collection Crew Sector Map to see a full map outline of where crews will focus collection (residential areas within the City's drainage system). Please note that Crew 2 (in purple) will have a delayed bulk leaf collection this year due to staffing shortages (see more details above).
Once collection starts, our Fall Leaf Collection Map will be updated by the end of each work day to display areas that crews have finished collecting. Zoom in on the map to the color-coded crew routes to view the dates of completed collection. The map can provide a general idea of the vicinity of crews (although the course of direction is subject to change). We do advise residents to have leaves ready at the curb by the start of the program so they are ready for when crews come by. It cannot be predicted when crews will reach certain areas since uncertain weather and leaf volumes will determine how quickly crews can collect.
Veterans Day Collection
The only predetermined scheduled bulk leaf collection is for the area around Concord High School in coordination with the Veterans Day holiday school closure. This area is scheduled for leaf collection on the Veterans Day holiday each year to minimize public disturbance and in consideration of public safety with less activity in the area. The public is advised to please avoid parking next to any leaves in this area on this day to not block equipment from being able to perform collection. As shown on the map below, streets outlined in yellow are scheduled to receive bulk leaf collection on Friday, November 10, 2023 (observed). Crews will resume collection in their previously designated areas after the holiday.
Bagged Fall Leaf Collection
November 20, 2023 - December 8, 2023
Bagged leaf collection will start on Monday, November 20, and continue through Friday, December 8. Unlike bulk leaf collection, which is weather-dependent, snow will not suspend the bagged leaf collection program. However, to avoid leaves getting covered in snow it is important to still be prepared for weather and bag leaves early if necessary.
Bagged leaves are collected by the City's trash and recycling vendor, Casella. Residents who receive curbside trash collection can choose to participate in bagged leaf collection. However, bagged leaf collection in the fall will not necessarily coincide with trash collection as it does in the spring due to variable leaf volumes at the curb. Leaves must be placed at the curb at the beginning of the week, regardless of your trash collection day. Leaves must be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m. each Monday during the three weeks of bagged collection (Nov. 20, Nov. 27, & Dec. 4). Leaf collection may occur ahead or behind your trash collection, depending on the amount of leaves at the curb. Collecting leaves separately from trash and recycling will allow Casella to minimize any possible delays in trash collection and maximize overall efficiency.
Bagged leaf collection requires all leaves to either be bagged in biodegradable yard waste bags (available at local retailers), placed in rigid containers labeled "leaves," or a combination of both. The three weeks of bagged collection will once again run simultaneously with the last anticipated weeks of bulk collection (weather depending), allowing residents to put out any remaining leaves before collection ends for the season.
Residents are encouraged to participate in bagged leaf collection to guarantee collection. This is the sixth year for bagged fall leaf collection and it has been a great success. Bagged collection has added more predictability, more opportunity, and an alternative option with three separate opportunities for collection. Bagged collection also provides an opportunity for residents to bag any leaves that were not able to be collected through bulk collection. Please remember that bulk collection occurs only once and crews will not return to areas already collected, so bagged collection is perfect to remove any remaining leaves. We encourage residents to consider bagging their leaves early to ensure leaves are ready ahead of the possibility of early snow. Please plan accordingly for the weather. This bag program is the perfect way to ensure all leaves have been collected before the leaf collection program comes to an end.
Drop-Off Leaves
Residents also have the option to bring their leaves to a local farm or to Gelinas Excavation & Earth Recycling Center. Disposal is free at Gelinas Excavation & Earth Recycling Center with proof of residency and if the load is smaller than a non-commercial pick-up truck. Brush, branches, and limbs can be dropped off separately for a nominal fee. Loads must be 100% free of any unacceptable materials. Residents will be required to empty the contents of bags or containers when disposing of leaves (bags or containers must be taken back with you). Visit www.concordnh.gov/earthmaterialsrecycling for facility hours and more information.
Additional Information
Only leaves will be collected. Pine needles, pine cones, and acorns are also acceptable. Branches, rocks, brush, and miscellaneous items will not be collected. Leaves collected are taken to several locations for composting.
Subscribe to the General Services calendar or Notify Me to receive notifications of future Fall Leaf Collection dates and other important events.
Program Questions & Concerns
We realize our bulk leaf collection faces some challenges, including: collecting leaves too early from an area before all the leaves have fallen, having to suspend collection before reaching all residents due to the onset of winter weather, and the uncertainty of when collection will occur due to unpredictable leaf volumes and weather conditions. However, we know bulk collection provides convenience and is an appreciated program. All three crews alternate where they start collecting leaves each year in order to provide a fairer collection for residents. Adding the bagged collection in 2018 added an additional service to address the challenges of bulk collection while providing more predictability and opportunity for residents to participate in leaf collection.
2023 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Please view our updated FAQs for this season below: