Residents of Dearborn, get your rakes ready—the city’s annual ritual of leaf gathering is almost upon us. The City of Dearborn has announced that it is set to kick off its loose leaf collection program for the fall of 2025 starting Oct. 27, with operations planned to run through Dec. 5. To optimize the process, the Department of Public Works will employ a methodical street-by-street routine launched last year, picking up where they last concluded each day, ensuring each district is cleared of leafy debris before proceeding to the next. The program is expected to offer at least two full-service pickups across the city, as reported on Dearborn's official website.
For those who prefer to neatly package their foliage, there's an alternative to the street-side collection. The city encourages residents to bag leaves in paper yard waste bags or in 20-32 gallon containers sporting a City yard waste sticker. This option extends until Dec. 12, the same deadline for street collection, allowing individuals to align their effort with the regular trash pick-up schedule. These stickers, vital for the process, are up for grabs at no charge—available either through a simple 311 call or a visit to the Dearborn Administrative Center. It's notable that plastic bags or cardboard are a no-go for this program, as underscored by Dearborn’s leaf collection guidelines.
If you're planning to contribute to the collective effort of leaf disposal, pay close attention to the parking regulations. The city advises that no vehicles should be parked on the streets from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the days when leaf collection crews are in your area. Visible signage will be erected to demarcate the zones and timings of collection. Those who neglect to move their cars might find themselves charged with a ticket or even see their vehicle towed away. A helpful list of alternate parking sites can be found on the city's leaf collection web page, provided you need to temporarily relocate your vehicle.
