Vacuum collection begins Nov. 14
Another leaf vacuum season approaches, meaning hundreds of miles of Arlington curb space piled high with fall colors, to be cleared twice before winter sets in.
This year we’re learning something new: Vac truck crews don’t grow on trees.
Amid a historically competitive hiring market, the Solid Waste Bureau has been challenged to find a full complement of temporary commercial-license drivers and helpers needed to carefully but quickly guide trucks and hoses down streets, around cars and other curbside obstacles.
To fill gaps, the bureau plans to shift staff from other assignments to maintain the traditional routes of November and December, but there will still be a shortage of crews. Drivers may go out on runs without someone working alongside, rake in hand. The results may look a bit less precise than usual and zone schedules may shift but the goal remains completing the two-pass mission.
There are some easy ways you can help make vacuum season seem almost like those of previous years. We would ask that you follow the waste hierarchy by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
- Reduce the need for transporting the leaves by leaving them on your yard as fertilizer.
- Reuse the leaves on your flower beds by composting them through the winter.
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Recycle the leaves by using the available vacuum collection program (two passes) or by using your weekly organics cart and biodegradable paper bags collection service. Avoid using plastic bags, which can’t be composted for mulch and won’t be collected.
To make a scheduled pass effective, rake leaves to the curb the weekend before the posted start of zone collection (residents with contract lawn services should plan ahead to meet the posted vacuum schedule).
- Pile leaves away from parked cars, storm drains, water meter covers and low wires.
- Remove stones, litter, branches and other debris from curb piles to prevent equipment damage and worker injury.
Missed a vacuum collection? That’s okay. As mentioned above, you can place leaves in your weekly organics cart or biodegradable bags for weekly yard waste collection.
Two last points for any year: Never park a vehicle on top of a pile of leaves. That’s a serious fire hazard. And always look out for children in and around curbside leaves.
Thank you for your understanding and assistance as Arlington dives into another leaf season. Watch for updates in emails like this one, on social media and even follow along on our pass completion map.
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