Hickory – City of Hickory Public Service crews collected more than 8 million pounds of leaves during the 2019-2020 leaf season, and crews are geared up and ready to begin this year’s loose-leaf collection on November 9. Curbside leaf collection will continue until January 15, 2021, per the announced schedule.
Until curbside leaf collection officially begins, citizens are asked to refrain from raking leaves to the curb and are reminded to place leaves in clear plastic bags or 32-gallon containers marked Yard Waste for collection on their regularly scheduled garbage collection day. Clear plastic bags are available for purchase at Hickory City Hall (76 North Center Street) and the Public Services Complex (1441 Ninth Avenue Drive NE).
2020-2021 Curbside Leaf Collection Schedule
The City of Hickory is proud to offer curbside collection of leaves again this season, as one of the manay services provided by the Solid Waste Division of Public Services. Each collection area of the City will have two pickups, and the time allotted in each area is based on the number of mature trees and the size of each collection area. This service is dependent on the weather and citizens are asked to be patient and understand that pickup could be delayed due to inclement weather.
Quadrant Dates:
Northwest A November 9 – 13, 2020
December 14 – 18, 2020
Boundaries of Northwest A: City limits on the west, North Center Street on the east, north of Norfolk Southern Railroad and south of 12th Avenue NW (Geitner Road), 6th Street NW, and 16th Avenue NW.
Northwest B November 16 – 20, 2020
December 21 – 25, 2020
Boundaries of Northwest B: All of city limits north of 12th Avenue NW (Geitner Road), 6th Street NW, 16th Avenue NW, and west of North Center Street.
Southeast November 23 – 27, 2020
December 28, 2020 – January 1, 2021
Southwest November 23 – 27, 2020
December 28, 2020 – January 1, 2021
Northeast November 30 – December 11, 2020
January 4 – 15, 2021
City of Hickory Solid Waste Manager Andrew Ballentine said, “It is important for residents to follow the ‘Leaf Pickup Tips’ to ensure an efficient pickup for all citizens and avoid unnecessary delays.”
Tips to make leaf collection run smoother throughout the City of Hickory:
Rake all leaves to the curb by the quadrant’s first collection day. Trucks begin pickup in various areas of the quadrant to ensure efficient service. If leaves are placed to the curb after the first day, there is a risk that the leaves will not be collected during the scheduled time.
Keep leaves away from storm drains and out of the street to help prevent flooding and accidents during rain/snow/ice events.
Never park your vehicle on a leaf pile. A hot exhaust system could catch the leaves on fire.
Do not mix leaves with junk, trash, rocks, or brush (sticks), as this will damage equipment, delay collection, and potentially cause injury. Mixed piles may be deemed as contaminated and result in a specialized pickup and associated fees.
Leaves in clear plastic bags, or leaves in an easily handled open container, like a 32-gallon container marked Yard Waste, are collected weekly on your regular garbage day.
Please remember bagged leaves and yard waste must be placed in clear plastic bags so crews can distinguish it from junk.
Most importantly, please use extreme caution when operating motor vehicles in the vicinity of leaf collection crews. The safety of both residents and the leaf crews depend on it.
For questions regarding leaf collection in the City of Hickory, call 828-323-7500.
