Cleveland Heights extends loose leaf collection; University Heights resumes collection Nov. 25

Cleveland Heights has extended the collection of loose leaves and Kraft paper bags until Jan. 1. The city had originally stated that it would collect loose leaves from Nov. 3 until Nov. 28, every other week on the day after a resident’s regularly scheduled refuse and recycling collection. 

This schedule, however, was dependent on the weather. November snow and ice made it impossible for residents to place leaves on tree lawns and for the city to collect them. According to Alex Mannarino, director of public works, “We are about two weeks behind. We are trying to catch up in the next couple of days so that next week we will be back on schedule.”

Mannarino said that the extended forecast shows milder temperatures in December.  

No brush, tree or hedge trimmings should be mixed into the leaves. Those items should be placed in Kraft paper bags. Leaves should not be raked or blown into the street or sidewalks where they will impede traffic or block storm sewer drains.

Mannarino said that this is the first year that the city has restricted its schedule of picking up Kraft paper bags. “We found that other cities weren’t doing it during the winter,” he said, “and we wanted to be able to reassign workers to other areas.” He added that most residents aren’t doing yard work in the winter. The city will resume Kraft bag and loose leaf collection on April 1.

The city’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed will be updated with the new information. For a map of the leaf collection schedule by neighborhood, visit www.clevelandheights.com.

According to the city of University Heights website, the Service Department will start its final pass around the city for curbside leaf collection on Tuesday, Nov. 25. If weather permits, crews will begin on Green Road working south, then west ending on South Belvoir Road. A second crew will start on Warrensville Center Road, then west and north from University Boulevard, ending on Washington Boulevard at Wynn Road. City officials expect leaf collection to be complete within two weeks. For updates, visit www.universityheights.com.