The familiar crunch of autumn leaves means the Statesville Leaf Collection crew is rolling into action! From October 20 through February 13, 2026, this essential city service transforms neighborhoods across Statesville, methodically clearing the seasonal debris that accompanies our beautiful fall foliage.Sanitation Superintendent, Russell Brown, and Assistant Superintendent, Kandense Adams, join us to reveal the inner workings of this massive undertaking. They break down the city's five collection areas - from Beech Nut near Catawba to the neighborhoods beyond West Front Street - and explain why some sections (particularly Area Two with its mature trees) take longer than others. Understanding your collection area is crucial, especially since opposite sides of the same street might fall into different zones!The collection fleet operates seven specialized vehicles daily, including five automated trucks with joystick-controlled vacuum arms that operators maneuver with video-game-like precision. These powerful machines make quick work of properly prepared leaf piles, but there's a catch - residents must follow specific guidelines for successful collection. The team emphasizes placing leaves on grassy areas (never in streets where they clog storm drains), keeping them away from obstacles like meters and fire hydrants, and most importantly, ensuring piles contain ONLY leaves - no sticks, rocks, or debris that damage equipment and cause costly delays.For those seeking alternatives to curbside collection, the city offers free leaf collection bags from November 3 through December 5, 2025 (available at the Customer Service Department, Bentley Community Center and the Fitness & Activity Center). These enormous bags - jokingly described as "big enough to fit two bodies" - provide the fastest removal option, with pickup occurring on regular garbage days regardless of weather delays. After December 5, bags can be purchased through December 22, 2025. Environmentally minded residents might consider mulching leaves with a lawnmower, providing natural fertilizer for lawns.The team's advice? Be proactive! Don't wait until collection crews reach your area - prepare your leaves in advance. Visit statesvillenc.net for daily schedule updates and use the interactive map to locate your collection area.Learn more about Leaf Collection here.

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