Cities Launch Fall 2026 Leaf Collection

Several U.S. cities are launching fall 2026 leaf collection programs. Washington, D.C., and Fort Wayne begin collections Nov. 2, while East Lansing and Kettering begin Oct. 19. D.C. will rotate collections through sections in all eight wards, with at least two scheduled pickups per street; Fort Wayne’s service runs through Dec. 19, subject to weather and leaf volume. East Lansing has separate east- and west-side pickup dates through Nov. 23, while Kettering will collect by district as crews progress, potentially into early December. Residents should place leaves at the curb or designated lawn edge by their scheduled time, keep piles clear of vehicles and storm drains, and avoid mixing leaves with other yard waste; bagging rules vary by city. Fort Wayne offers scheduled pickup for bagged leaves, and D.C. encourages residents to bring food scraps and pumpkins to compost collection stations.