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

Vacuum Leaf Collection

Vacuum Leaf Collection Virtual Information Session

The Solid Waste Management Program invites County vacuum leaf collection customers to join us at a virtual information session where staff will provide updates on the upcoming season.  The session will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

Microsoft Teams Meeting Link

  • Meeting ID: 231 751 498 411 2
  • Passcode: PV3RV63g
  • Dial in by phone: 1-571-429-5982
  • Phone conference ID: 644 596 26#

Vacuum Leaf Survey 2024

Over 3,800 residents responded to the 2024 Vacuum Leaf Collection Customer Service Survey. Additionally, staff reviewed over 3,400 comments. This valuable survey feedback is incorporated into the upcoming 2025 vacuum leaf season.


2024 Vacuum Leaf Season Summary

Vacuum leaf collection for the 2024 season began on November 4, 2024. Crews completed three rounds of collection to service all areas. However, the program experienced delays and the final round of collection was not completed until February 28, 2025.

Several factors contributed to the delays in service delivery. See the list below.

During the 2024 season, crews were assigned to work simultaneously across four different areas. This approach resulted in inefficiencies, as collection equipment frequently idled while waiting for haul trucks to return from disposal facilities.

Early-season leaf volumes were high. The dry condition of the leaves reduced the weight per load, requiring more frequent truck trips to disposal sites impacting collection time.

Snowfall and cold temperatures in January suspended collection activities for several weeks since leaves that were wet, covered, or matted became inaccessible.

Updates were provided using existing communication channels that did not accommodate real-time notifications to better inform residents.

2025 Vacuum Leaf Season Improvements

We are excited to demonstrate the positive changes we’ve made to enhance our service delivery and communication during the upcoming leaf collection season. These planned improvements follow.

  • Additional vehicles will be provided to support leaf collection operations.
  • All collection vehicles will be equipped with tracking capabilities to improve accountability and enhance real-time progress monitoring.

  • 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.
  • Personnel 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 transitioning to other zones.

In addition to existing collection facilities at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex, strategically located staging sites within service areas will be utilized. These sites will reduce travel time for trucks emptying loads, improving overall efficiency and productivity.

  • An enhanced communications 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 updates.
    • Residents who sign up for digital notifications 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.

Fairfax County provides vacuum leaf collection from the curb three times each season to a portion of the residences located in Fairfax County. The solid waste collection areas are established through a petition process. Vacuum collection areas require an additional leaf petition process. For more information, see the links below as well as our frequently asked questions.

Report service issues or missed collections using the solid waste feedback form or call 703-802-3322, TTY 711.

Fairfax Virtual Assistant