Leaf collection in the township begins on Halloween and is expected to run through Jan. 9. It is described as one of the township’s largest annual undertakings.
Leaf collection in the township will take place from Oct. 31 through Jan. 9.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” said Mayor Paul Medany. “It’s probably one of the biggest undertakings we do all year. The bulk of the leaves will be picked up in November and in the middle of December.
“One day, almost no leaves will fall off a tree, and then all of a sudden, they all drop at once,” he added. “Our public works guys work their hearts out.”
Collection of leaves is especially important, since they can sometimes become hazardous when wet. Each part of the township is split into zones for the collection. There are six of them split into two groups of three.
Information on dates for each zone’s leaf pickup is now on the Deptford Township website. The schedule and the fall newsletter will be available soon, and officials urge residents to adhere to that schedule. Dates are subject to change in the event of heavy rain.
“Last year we stayed on schedule,” said Medany. “For five days a week, the leaves are collected. We also ask people to not mix in branches with the leaf piles, or to rake them to the center of the road,” added the mayor, citing the fact that mixed branches can clog the tube used by leaf trucks.
“Once the leaves are collected, the leaves are taken to two places,” he added. “Usually, it’s a farm that is a certified facility by the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection). The other place is a recycling facility, but we don’t take them here as much.”
More information on leaf collection is on the township website or Facebook page.
“We ask that people please be patient with us,” said Medany.
