Collection begins the week of Oct. 26, 2015.

All leaves must be placed in 30-gallon biodegradable bags. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

The leaves that have suddenly burst into spectacular autumn colors decorating the West Hartford landscape have also started to fall from the trees.

It’s time once again for homeowners to get their rakes ready and stock up on a supply of biodegradable paper bags for the Town of West Hartford’s annual leaf bag collection, which will begin the week of Oct. 26, 2015.

The collection period will run for 10 weeks – weather-permitted – through the end of December.

Crews will collect leaves bagged in 30-gallon biodegradable paper bags placed at the curb, and there is no limit to the number of bags that will be collected from a single property. The collection will take place on your regular trash collection day and bags must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on that day.

Only properties that receive trash collection through the Town of West Hartford will have their bagged leaves collected.

The following specific instructions are posted on West Hartford’s website:

• Leaves can only be placed in 30 gallon biodegradable paper bags. Plastic or other paper type bags will not be collected. 
• As you bag your leaves place them at the curb even if it is in advance of your scheduled collection day. Crews will advance into other collection areas once they have completed their day’s assignment.
• Bags must be free of branches, sticks, rocks, dirt, grass and other debris and weigh less than 60 pounds or they will be marked for rejection and not collected. 
• Leaves are a state mandated recycling item and cannot be placed in your refuse or recycling barrels. Barrels containing leaves will not be collected.

If you hire a contractor to clear the leaves from your yard, those leaves can be dumped, free of charge, at the Town of West Hartford Yard Waste and Recycling Center at 25 Brixton St. If you choose this method, you must complete a leaf for your contractor. Each voucher, which designates that the leaves came from your property, is good for 7 days from the date signed, but multiple vouchers may be used during the collection period. Click here for the voucher form.

Public Works has also extended Saturday hours at the Town of West Hartford Yard Waste and Recycling Center. Beginning Oct. 31, the facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, through the end of December, weather permitting. The facility will also be open on Monday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. through 4 p.m.

Box springs, mattresses, and textiles are now accepted at the center with a valid permit.

Other materials which can be dropped off at the recycling center include: leaves, branches and brush up to 6” in diameter, scrap metal, used motor oil (in sealed containers), antifreeze (in sealed containers), automotive batteries, and household recycling items (cardboard, boxboard, paper, plastics no. 1-7, food glass and metal containers).

Permit stickers are sold at the Public Works offices, 17 Brixton St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. Permits can also be purchased online. Permits will also be sold onsite on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Proof of residency or property ownership is required.

Property owners who will be using a vehicle that is not registered to their West Hartford address (e.g. if you are borrowing someone’s truck) can obtain a single-use day pass.

Public Works has also issued a reminder to residents to keep leaves out of the roadway. “Leaves in the road can become a traffic hazard, especially in windy or rainy weather, and can clog storm water drains and drainage areas, causing flooding,” states the Town of West Hartford’s website. If winter weather arrives early, they can also impede snow plowing operations. A Town of West Hartford compliance officer monitors collection areas, and those who do not comply may receive written warnings as well as fines for each day the leaves remain in the street.

For more information, visit the Public Works section of the Town of West Hartford’s website or call 860-561-8100. You may also call the Leaf Collection hotline at 860-561-7954 for daily updates or tune in to West Hartford Community Television, Comcast channel 5 or www.whctv.org.

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