yard_rake_and_leaves

Those wild winds that swept through the Evanston area this week managed to dislodge millions of leaves that now have to be disposed of.

The City of Evanston has rules for that. Also some helpful suggestions, to wit:

Those wild winds that swept through the Evanston area this week managed to dislodge millions of leaves that now have to be disposed of.

The City of Evanston has rules for that. Also some helpful suggestions, to wit:

Leaves should be raked and placed in appropriate bags with yard waste stickers affixed, placed in a City of Evanston yard waste cart, or used in home composting.

Yard waste stickers are $1.75 each and must be affixed to each yard waste paper bag and/or tree trimming bundles for pick-up. Place yard waste in paper yard waste bags, available in packages at local stores. Plastic bags will not be collected.

Yard waste stickers can be purchased at the Morton Civic Center, all Evanston Dominick’s and Jewel stores, Whole Foods, Lemoi Ace Hardware, the Chalet in Wilmette, Harold’s True Value Hardware, and Home Depot.

Special pickup fees for yard waste collection will be assessed after 48 hours for bags without stickers. Three  bags will be charged at a rate equal to $25, with each additional  three  bags being charged $10.

Alternatively, residents can have an unlimited amount of yard waste collected from a wheeled cart which can be purchased from the city at a rate of $25 per year per cart. Residents may purchase a yard waste cart through the city for $82.50.

Yard waste fees are assessed annually and will appear on your water bill.

Please do not rake or push leaves onto the sidewalk or into the street. This is unlawful and may cause street flooding during a rain. Leaves placed into the street block the flow line of storm water along the curb.
Additionally, the leaves frequently form a mat over the open grate drainage structures, preventing storm water from entering the sewer system. Both of these situations lead to undesirable street flooding conditions during rain events.

The City of Evanston’s Streets and Sanitation employees give notice of violation for residents that blow, rake, or dump leaves into the streets obstructing the right of way. Residents are encouraged to report violations by calling 311.

Backpack-mounted and hand-held gasoline-powered leaf blowers are permitted from October 1 through December 14, from  7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Happy raking!

Charles Bartling

A resident of Evanston since 1975, Chuck Bartling holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and has extensive experience as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers, radio...

Join the Conversation

5 Comments

  1. Yard Waste Pickup

    Bill – do you know the last day that yard waste will be collected this year?  That is a date that absolutely requires marking on the calendar.  Thanks!

    1. Last yard waste pickup

      According to the city's website, yard waste will be picked up on your regular garbage pickup day through December 9.

  2. Think back to Wally’s charts

    Think back to Wally's charts from earlier this year about how liveable and affordable Evanston is when you start shelling out dollars for yard waste removal.

    Not only do most other communities in the area pick up yard waste as part of regular garbage service, but their citizens don't pay any kind of garbage bill at all! Evanston has done a great job of incentivizing shoddy neighborliness and messy parkways and streets with this cost structure. Of course, if you're caught they'll fine you for it so they get theirs no matter what (even though they have to keep parkways and curbs clean regardless).

    Before you come at me about how taxpayers pay for garbage one way or another, please realize this is about the number-games that the City Manager has been playing to make us look like an efficient, fairly-taxed community in comparison to our neighbors.

  3. Yard waste

    Anyone remember the smell of burning leaves? There was no charge! How far we've progressed! Let's hear it for the environmentalists.

    1. burn baby burn

      Hey, burning leaves is carbon neutral. What's holding you back? Don't blame it on the environmentalists.

Leave a comment
The goal of our comment policy is to make the comments section a vibrant yet civil space. Treat each other with respect — even the people you disagree with. Whenever possible, provide links to credible documentary evidence to back up your factual claims.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *