GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As Marv Carollo pushed leaves into a pile, he wasn’t just racing against mother nature, but also Green Bay’s leaf collection deadline.
“I don’t think I’d make the deadline.”
It’s the last week the city will be rounding up the yard waste, but Carollo said his trees just started shedding leaves.
“Earlier in the year, all the experts said they were going to fall sooner this year, and it didn’t seem like that was the case.”
Chris Pirlot with the Department of Public Works says the city can’t guarantee an extension.
“We’ll do a full fifth-round around the city and then weather dependent is a big thing because we’ve already had snow and ice.”
The same trucks used to gather leaves also plow the snow.
Pirlot said if people miss the deadline, it’s up to them to decide what they want to do.
“That’s on the resident to decide if they’re going to let it sit through the winter, rake them in the spring, because we also have a spring leaf collection, or going to haul them at the city’s two-yard center.”
- Click here for Green Bay Yard Waste schedule
If the city decides to come back for one more round, there are things to keep in mind.
Pirlot says it’s important to pile leaves between the curb and sidewalk, not on the pavement.
“That can block up and back up water and if water gets through, it will ultimately filter through and it’s added nutrients and tainted water and that’s going through the rivers and streams.”
Despite leaves falling late, the department is prepared to transition to winter equipment.
“On the grand hierarchy of things, taking care of snow and ice is more important than collecting leaves because snow and ice is a real safety hazard.”
The city of Appleton’s final leaf collection is Sunday, Nov. 19 for Zone 1 and Nov. 26 for Zone 2. Final dates are not guaranteed.
The city of Oshkosh extended its leaf collection through Friday, Dec. 1, weather permitting.
The city of Neenah extended its leaf collection through all areas starting in Area 1 on Thursday, Nov. 16, weather permitting.
