CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) today announced the start of coordinated collection of yard waste debris across the City in an effort to assist residents in clearing their yards, parkways and storm drains of debris.

Residents can call 311 to request separate bagged yard waste collection service throughout the season, which runs April to November.

Yard waste should be bagged separately and left in the alley or at the curb, outside of black garbage carts and blue recycling carts for pickup. Yard waste and other debris should not be thrown into the blue recycling cart as it contaminates the recycling stream. A dedicated DSS truck will collect yard waste based on 311 requests and take the bags to be composted in an effort to increase diversion from landfills.

DSS will continue street sweeping throughout the season to clear arterial and residential streets of debris, helping to prevent draining issues year round. Residents can track street sweepers in real time through the Sweeper Tracker online tool. Residents are also encouraged to clear debris from curb lanes and areas around storm drains.

For more information about bagged leaf and yard waste collection visit www.chicago.gov/dss.

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