Raleigh’s Leaf Collection Is Changing — Here’s What You Need to Know
Every fall and winter, thousands of Raleigh residents dutifully rake their colorful leaves to the curb, awaiting city crews to vacuum them away. But that familiar seasonal service is about to change — and in a big way. The City of Raleigh has announced that 2025–2026 will be the final season of traditional loose-leaf collection, and beginning in Fall 2026, it will be replaced with a weekly yard waste pickup service.
If you live in Raleigh and want to know how this impacts your yard work, your schedule, and even your neighbors down the street — you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.
What’s Changing? Loose Leaf Collection Ends
For decades, Raleigh Public Works has used vacuum trucks and designated leaf collection zones to sweep up piles of leaves from city streets once or twice per season. This fall/winter service typically runs from November through February, with crews covering all 12 zones in the city on a rotating schedule.
But now, city officials have decided that this seasonal pickup will be discontinued after the 2025–2026 season. Instead, starting Fall 2026, residents will receive weekly yard waste pickup year-round, covering leaves, grass clippings, and small yard trimmings in one dependable weekly service.
Why Is Raleigh Making This Change?
There are a few reasons behind this shift:
1. Reliability and Consistency
Loose leaf collection has long been a seasonal service — meaning residents sometimes had to wait weeks before their zone was serviced. With weekly yard waste collection, there won’t be long gaps between pickups, and crews will run on a predictable weekly schedule.
2. Cleaner Streets & Safer Walkways
Large piles of leaves on streets and sidewalks can clog storm drains, cause slippery conditions, obscure curbs, and even create hazards for walkers and bikers. Weekly pickup helps keep debris off our streets and out of drainage systems.
3. Efficient Use of City Resources
As Raleigh grows, it becomes harder and more costly to run the slow, vacuum-based leaf collection system citywide. Weekly collection using standard yard waste carts and biodegradable bags lets crews service material more effectively and frees up crews for other important services.
Not exactly green motivations from the city’s standpoint — but hey, if your tree-loving heart rejoices that leaves will hopefully get composted more often instead of hauled off — you’re not alone.
How Residents Will Be Affected
Here’s what you need to know:
Final Loose Leaf Season
This current season (2025–2026) is your last chance to rake leaves to the curb for traditional pickup. Make sure your piles are placed properly — not in the street — and check Raleigh’s schedule so crews come by before leaves decompose or blow away.
👉 Find your leaf collection schedule and zone here:
https://raleighnc.gov/transportation/services/seasonal-loose-leaf-collection
Weekly Yard Waste Begins Fall 2026
Instead of waiting for vacuum trucks once or twice per season, you’ll be able to use your yard waste cart (and up to 15 biodegradable paper bags at the curb) every week — even during leaf season. This makes staying on top of yard debris easier and less stressful.
What You Can Do Now
You don’t have to wait until 2026 to use yard waste carts for leaves — most residents can already put leaves in their cart or biodegradable bags for collection on their regular yard waste day.
Why This Matters (to You & the Planet)
Whether you’re a practical planner or an eco-enthusiast, this change matters:
No more guesswork about when leaf trucks are coming through.
Weekly service keeps streets and drains clearer sooner.
Leaves can be composted or mulched more easily, returning nutrients to your soil.
It encourages less waste, more recycling of yard materials.
At Carolina Homestead, we’re cheering on the shift — not just for convenience, but for how it nudges people toward more sustainable yard care. (Yes, even if the city wasn’t exactly doing it for the planet!) 🌿
Landscape Humor: Good News for Landscapers
Let’s be honest — landscapers are secretly thrilled. With yard waste no longer magically disappearing on two designated leaf-pickup days each year, more homeowners will call in professionals to help manage raking, bagging, and hauling those massive leaf piles. More work for local crews means more local business — let’s leaf that joke here. 😉