Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program Launches Request for Expressions of Interest to Shape the Future of Waste, Recycling, and Zero Waste Innovation
Service Overview
The Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) provides vacuum leaf collection for residents in designated areas from November through January. Leaves are placed at the curb for specialized trucks to collect and transport them for shredding into mulch or compost.
Schedule & Status
View the vacuum leaf collection schedule and status.
Place leaves at the curb no later than the day before your scheduled collection date.
Create leaf piles no more than 4 feet from the edge of the street. Do not block streets, sidewalks, mailboxes, storm drains, culverts, gutters and other drainage systems.
Keep leaves free of trash, sticks, rocks, soil, grass and other debris.
Do not park vehicles on leaf piles as it poses a fire hazard.
Leaves raked out after the third pickup will not be collected. Place uncollected leaves in sturdy containers or paper yard bags (10-bag limit per pickup).
Reminder: Yard Waste season ends December 24,2025.
Acceptable - Proper Set Out
Acceptable - Proper Set Out
Unacceptable - Leaves blocking storm drain
Unacceptable - Leaves Blocked by Car
Unacceptable - Bags and Brush in Pile
Unacceptable - Grass in Leaf Pile
Unacceptable - Sticks in Pile
Unacceptable - Trash in Leaf Pile
Collection Schedule and Process
The service operates seasonally from November through January, with three rounds of pickups per area. Outside this timeframe, use the Curbside Yard Waste Guidelines or visit local Disposal Sites.
Look for bright yellow signs in participating neighborhoods and scan the QR code to visit the webpage.
Place leaves at the curb no later than the day before your scheduled collection date and position leaf piles no farther than 4 feet from the curb.
Leaves that are not set out by the collection date will be addressed during the next round. You can also follow the Curbside Yard Waste Guidelines or visit local Disposal Sites.
Refer to the set-out guidelines in the gallery for more information.
The service is available to customers who pay an additional service charge. Those not enrolled must follow the Curbside Yard Waste Guidelines. If your waste is collected by a private provider, contact them directly for details.
