MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Depending on where you live in Shelby County, there are different rules on how to dispose of fallen leaves. Residents who live in unincorporated parts of Shelby County are responsible for their own leaves. Shelby County does not have a county-wide solid waste collection system. Residents are allowed to burn leaves in those areas, but only if they have obtained a free burn permit from the city.
Collierville and Bartlett residents do not require leaves to be bagged. In Bartlett, residents may sweep leaves onto the area between the curb and the sidewalk in a dome-shaped pile. In Collierville, residents may place loose leaves near the streets edge, but not in the street. Arlington residents have different rules. They must bag leaves in order for the leaves to be disposed of. Memphis residents have the same set of rules.
Dwan Gilliom, Director of Memphis City Public Works, says, “We do not want residents to blow or sweep leaves into the street.”
Leaves clog storm drains and pollute storm water. There is no limit on the number of bagged leaves per household. Director Gilliom advises residents to place bagged leaves away from other bagged trash and away from structures that could be damaged during pickup, such as fire hydrants and mailboxes.
Director Gilliom says this is the toughest time of year for solid waste management crews because of the volume of leaves homeowners place on the curb. One truck can only hold up to 300 bags of leaves. This will mean that some homes in the city limits may not have bagged leaves picked up on a weekly basis. Memphis City Public Works will not pick up bagged leaves at commercial businesses or churches.
The leaf drop-off site at Collins Yard, between Sam Cooper and Poplar Avenue, will open on November 26th for residents to drop off bagged leaves. Another way to dispose of leaves and to save money is to mulch leaves in flower beds.
