Quad Cities residents are getting some help with the leaves and waste in their yards.
Illinois Quad Cities
Starting Monday, October 12, 2015 the City of Moline and the City of Rock Island will begin their free leaf collection programs.
In Moline crews come around street-by-street vacuuming up leaves. The city has been broken up into three sections and two vacuuming crews will work on each section Monday through Friday.
What you need to do is rake your leaves close to, but not on, the roadway.
Remember, rocks, sticks, and other debris is not allowed to be added to the leaf waste pile because "they can cause damage to the equipment that can cause delays in vacuuming while repairs are being made," according to the City of Moline.
Residents are being asked not to park in front of leaf piles during collection days.
In Rock Island crews will come around and collect any bagged leaves along the curb.
All you need to do is gather your leaves into approved paper yard waste bags (you can provide your own or get free bags from the city), then set the bagged leaves at the normal garbage collection site on your normal collection day (leaf bags will be collected by a separate truck).
Remember, bags may not contain anything other than leaves. Other debris can restrict the storm water flow causing flooding. "Violations of the Storm Water Control Ordinance are subject to fines from $250 to $1,500 per violation per day," according to the Public Works Department.
If you want the city's free collection bags, you must prove you are a resident with a photo ID or official mail-in order. You can pick the bags up from any of the following locations: Rock Island City Hall, Public Works Department, Martin Luther King Center, Rock Island Township Assessor's Office, Highland Springs Golf Course, South Rock Island Township Office, or Saukie Golf Course.
You do not have to place a yard waste sticker on the bags.
As of the fall of 2008, burning leaves or yard waste has been prohibited. Violators will be subject to a $40 fine.
Both cities' collection programs end Friday, December 4.
Iowa Quad Cities
For several weeks in the fall, the City of Bettendorf and the City of Davenport will collect yard waste for free.
Bettendorf:
Starting Monday, October 12, 2015, residents can get rid of their yard waste on their regular garbage collection day. The collection service does not require a sticker and will last until Sunday, November 29.
During this time, all residents can also drop off their yard waste for free at the Davenport Compost Facility at 2707 Railroad Avenue. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and is open from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Davenport:
The city planned to collect yard waste for free from Monday, October 19 through Saturday, November 28. On November 25 the city announced they would be extending the collection dates through Friday, December 4. This time period is considered "Free Yard Waste Weeks" where no sticker is required. Click here to see Davenport's full-year waste calendar.
During Davenport's Free Yard Waste Weeks, residents can also drop off their yard waste at the Davenport Compost Facility at no cost.