The Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW) has announced that there will be only one round of curbside leaf collection this spring. Residents who wish to take advantage of this free service should rake their leaves to the area between the sidewalk and curb (where possible) no later than 7 a.m. on Monday, March 24.
The collection will begin in Zone 1 and proceed sequentially through Zone 8. There will be no second round, and the collection will conclude once crews complete Zone 8.
One-Time Collection – No Callbacks
“Spring is here, and we’ll have one leaf truck starting in Zone 1,” said Tyson Wedekind, Roadway Maintenance Supervisor. “We’re asking residents who want the City to collect their leaves to have them ready by March 24.”
DPW will not accept individual collection requests this spring. Since there is no fixed schedule, the time spent in each zone depends on the number of leaf piles encountered. Once a zone is completed, crews will not return to that area.
“Residents, especially those in the first few zones, should have their leaves out by the morning of March 24,” Wedekind emphasized.
Alternative Disposal Options
Residents who miss the curbside collection can:
- Use leaves as mulch or add them to a compost pile.
- Place leaves in 20- or 30-gallon compostable paper bags for pickup on their regular refuse collection day. Bags must be sealed with a City of Muscatine sticker and set at the curb.
- Transport bagged leaves to the Compost Facility at the Muscatine Transfer Station. Ensure bags are securely fastened during transport to prevent littering.
Where to Get City Stickers
City of Muscatine stickers are available at:
- Muscatine Transfer Station
- Muscatine City Hall
- Muscatine Public Works
- Fareway
- Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Main Street
For sticker-related questions, residents can contact the Muscatine Transfer Station at (563) 263-9689.
Leaf Collection Guidelines
To ensure efficient pickup, residents should follow these guidelines:
✔ Place leaves near, but not beyond, the curb so they are within reach of the vacuum truck.
✔ Keep leaves free of branches, twigs, and other debris to prevent clogging equipment.
✔ Do not place leaves in the street to avoid blocking storm drains.
✔ Keep leaf piles clear of obstacles such as mailboxes, signposts, and light poles.
✔ Do not mix leaves with trash, rocks, logs, plastic, or glass.
✔ Leaves should only be placed along the public right-of-way—not on cul-de-sacs, vacant lots, or City property.
Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly, as this will be the only curbside leaf collection of the season.
