Public Works and Environmental Services

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mon – Fri
703-802-3322 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 458, Fairfax, Va 22035
County Collection Customer
Service Center

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Vacuum Leaf Collection

Vacuum Leaf Collection Status (Updated 12/12/2025)

We are currently delayed due to heavy leaf volume. We are working Saturdays to get back on schedule. The following areas are affected:

  • All Areas are now complete for Round 1.
  • Round 2 collection for area 8. Work is in progress. The new completion date is December 16.
  • Round 2 collection for area 10. Work is in progress. The new completion date is December 16.
  • Round 2 collection for area 6. The new start date for area 6 is December 16. The new completion date is December 20.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This delay will not impact the collection schedule for other areas in Round 2

For additional information or updates or contact us at 703-802-3322 | TTY 711 or email dpwestrashcs@fairfaxcounty.gov.

To receive vacuum leaf collection email updates, subscribe to Fairfax County Vacuum Leaf Collection Email Updates.

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.

Service Issues

Report service issues or provide feedback.

2025 Vacuum Leaf Season Improvements

We are excited to share the improvements we have made to better our service. These planned improvements are as follows:

  1. Increased Resources
    • Additional vehicles will be provided to support leaf collection.
    • All collection vehicles will be equipped with tracking capabilities to improve accountability and enhance real-time progress monitoring.
  2. Revised Collection Model
    • The collection strategy will focus resources on no more than two areas at a time. Each area will be fully serviced before moving on to the next.
    • Staff will conduct preliminary surveys of each area before the start of active collection to document set-out leaf volumes.
    • Designated staff will ensure that all areas are fully serviced and inspected for completion prior to moving to other zones.
  3. Additional Leaf Collection Staging Sites
    • In addition to the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill, new staging sites will be used. These sites will reduce travel time for trucks emptying loads, improving overall efficiency and productivity.
  4. Comprehensive Communication Plan
    • An enhanced communication strategy will provide transparent, accurate, and timely updates regarding collection schedules, delays, and progress.
      • Social media platforms, such as Nextdoor, will play an integral role in sharing updates.
      • Residents who sign up for digital notification will receive text and email alerts with detailed collection information.
      • The DPWES website will continue to feature a collection progress dashboard, updated daily to reflect street and neighborhood-level pickup status.

Set-Out Details and Examples Gallery

  • 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
Acceptable - Proper Set Out
Acceptable - Proper Set Out

 

Unacceptable - Leaves blocking storm drain
Unacceptable - Leaves blocking storm drain
Unacceptable - Leaves Blocked by Car
Unacceptable - Leaves Blocked by Car

 

Unacceptable - Bags and Brush in Pile
Unacceptable - Bags and Brush in Pile
Unacceptable - Grass in Leaf Pile
Unacceptable - Grass in Leaf Pile

 

Unacceptable - Sticks in Pile
Unacceptable - Sticks in Pile
Unacceptable - Trash in Leaf 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.

  • View the online Schedule & Status to search by street name.
  • 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.

Severe weather may delay pickups. Updated schedules will be communicated as soon as they are available. Subscribe to Vacuum Leaf Collection Email Updates.

Eligibility and Service Enrollment

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.

View Vacuum Leaf Collection Area Map

 

  • Areas are established through a petition process.
  • To remove your property from the service district, follow the de-creation process on the Petition Process webpage.

Costs and Leaf Management

The service charge is calculated at $0.019 per $100 of the assessed property value.

Try these easy, anytime solutions to manage your leaves.

  • Mulch mowing: Use a lawnmower with a mulching blade to process leaves into natural fertilizer for your lawn.
  • Composting: Rake leaves into wooded areas or create compost piles for future use. This method also supports pollinators and retains soil moisture.
  • Unused leaves can still be set out for vacuum leaf collection following the guidelines.

Leaves are processed into mulch, which is available for free at local disposal sites. Find out more at the Mulch Service webpage.

Additional Information

  • Refer to the Leaf Collection Brochure mailed to you.
  • Contact the Solid Waste Management Program at 703-802-3322, TTY 711.
  • Submit feedback using the Solid Waste Feedback Form or call 703-802-3322, TTY 711.

Stay in the know about vacuum leaf collection status and schedule updates. We encourage all vacuum leaf customers to take advantage of this service.

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