The Worcester Department of Public Works (DPW) announced Tuesday, Oct. 13, that curbside leaf collection will commence on Monday, Nov. 2. Crews expect to finish the seasonal pickup in four to five weeks, weather permitting.
Schedule and holidays
Leaf collection will follow the city’s existing trash‑day routes. The DPW will skip service on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, and on the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27. Residents should check the city’s online schedule for exact pickup windows, which align with each neighborhood’s trash collection day.
Preparation instructions for homeowners
Homeowners are asked to rake leaves from sidewalks and yards to the edge of the street gutter. Once a no‑parking sign is posted on a street, residents should push the leaf row into the gutter before crews arrive, either the weekend before or the day of collection. Leaves must be free of brush, branches, plastic, or other trash, and piles should not block catch basins. If bagging leaves, biodegradable paper bags are required.
Drop‑off sites for extra leaf volume
Worcester offers three city‑run yard‑waste drop‑off locations for residents who prefer not to wait for curbside service. All sites serve Worcester residents only and require a valid ID to confirm residency. The sites close on Veterans Day. Hours for November are as follows:
- 1065 Millbury St. – the only site that accepts brush and small branches
- 300 Chandler St.
- 299 Clark St.
Through October, weekend hours run until 5 p.m.; November hours will be posted on the city’s website.
Parking restrictions and enforcement
Before crews arrive, the DPW will place a no‑parking sign on each street. Notices typically go up one to two days in advance. Vehicles left on posted streets will receive tickets.
Additional resources
Residents can view real‑time crew progress on the city’s fall leaf collection page, which includes a live status map. For timely alerts, Worcester offers the ALERTWorcester notification service. Questions can be directed to Worcester 311.
Weather considerations
Early snow could interrupt the schedule. The DPW advises residents on the Friday route and the Salisbury/Pleasant section of the Monday route to consider bringing leaves to a drop‑off site if snow is forecast.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
