Indy DPW: Leaf collection season to run from Nov. 10 to Dec. 5 in 2025

INDIANAPOLIS — Got leaves? The Indianapolis Department of Public Works can help you get rid of them.

In a press release, Indy DPW announced that it will collect leaves set out on the curbs of city residences from Nov. 10 to Dec 5. The department indicated that it will pick up leaves on residents’ regularly scheduled trash collection days at no extra cost.

DPW will accept up to 40 bags of leaves per week per residence. The agency is encouraging residents to keep their bags of leaves at least three feet away from their trash cans to make the pickup process easier for waste collectors. DPW is also asking residents to leave their discarded leaves on their curbs by 7 a.m. on their normal trash collection days. Like trash collection, DPW’s leaf-disposal services will operate on a sliding schedule during Thanksgiving week.

The City plans to take discarded leaves to South Side Landfill. DPW reported that South Side Landfill is not offering leaf-composting services this year. Residents having their leaves taken to South Side Landfill can use plastic leaf bags. DPW actually recommends residents use plastic bags to dispose of their leaves because paper bags tend to deteriorate in inclement weather.

For residents who would like their leaves to be composted, GreenCycle is an option. Residents disposing of their leaves through GreenCycle, however, are responsible for dropping their own leaves off at a GreenCycle location.

GreenCycle will pick up leaves from residential homes at a cost of $80. For residents dropping their leaves off with GreenCycle, a charge of $35 will be administered. GreenCycle only accepts leaves in paper bags.

For a list of GreenCycle locations and operating hours, click here.

DPW recommends residents mow their leaves and use them as mulch if they want to put their leaves to good use but don’t want to pay for composting.

DPW also wants residents to clear leaves from storm drain inlets to prevent drainage and flooding. City residents should not rake their leaves into the street, according to DPW. Such activity will cause issues with the City’s street sweeping operations.

In Marion County, burning leaves is illegal, and therefore, it is not a leaf-disposal option that is recommended by the City.

Residents will still be able to dispose of their leaves outside of DPW’s four-week collection season. Outside the four-week window, residents can leave leaves in their trash carts or take them to the Citizens’ Transfer Station on Saturdays.

According to DPW’s website, the Citizen’s Transfer Station takes extra household trash, heavy trash and leaves. The station is located at 2324 S. Belmont Ave. and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to drop waste off at the transfer station is $2 per carload or $5 per pickup truck load.

If a DPW crew misses a residence on a leaf collection route, residents can open a service request via RequestIndy. To access DPW’s online service request tool, click here. Alternatively, residents who skipped on leaf collection routes can call the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-3475.

Indy DPW has more information on leaf collection here.