SHARE

Know The New New Rochelle Leaf Collection Policies

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – As summer slowly begins transitioning into fall and temperatures start dropping, homeowners in New Rochelle are going to need to adjust their attitudes about raking leaves as the city introduces new leaf-collection policies.

This will no longer be permitted in New Rochelle. Violators will be subject to summonses and fines.

This will no longer be permitted in New Rochelle. Violators will be subject to summonses and fines.

Photo Credit: File

Earlier this year, the City Council approved a change in the law, voting to no longer pick up loose piles of leaves that are left curbside at the ends of property. Leaves will be removed from curbside only if they are left for crews in biodegradable bag or in trash cans.

The city will provide weekly pickup of bagged or canned leaves on Mondays at 7 a.m. in the North End and Wednesdays at the same time in the South End.

City officials have encouraged homeowners to embrace mulch mowing, an environmentally conscious alternative that provides healthy nutrients for lawns and garden beds. They’ve gone so far as to host a series of mulch-mowing demonstrations throughout the city.

Each year, the city spends about $400,000 to collect and dispose of leaves. By making this transition, there will also be fewer loose leaves clogging drains and sewers and creating potentially hazardous road conditions.

It was determined that mulching would be the most affordable option because most landscapers are willing and able to mulch at no additional cost. Another option includes bagging some leaves while mulching others, which will cost an average of $27 per year per household.

Bagging leaves would be the least affordable due to the increased labor and laboring fees. The city determined that it would cost a laborer about $1.23 to fill an average of 50 bags per home, averaging to more than $80 each year.

In an effort to communicate the new policies effectively, part of the $400,000 in savings was dedicated to a public information campaign that has included robocalls, lawn signs along city streets and posters on every corner.

According to Mayor Noam Bramson, there has been some backlash from the public. He said that some landscapers have mounted an organized campaign against the new policies, which will not change.

“Changing habits is almost always difficult,” he noted. “The City Council adopted this new policy for compelling reasons: improving road safety, reducing flooding, encouraging environmentally sound practices and saving tax dollars.” 

to follow Daily Voice New Rochelle and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE