Cedar Rapids fall leaf collection changing to every-other week

CEDAR RAPIDS - Leaf vacuum collection in Cedar Rapids is changing from an every-week to an every-other week schedule this fall, city officials said Friday.

The change is being made because city crews were struggling to keep up with the every-week collection schedule, utilities communications coordinator Megan Murphy said in a news release. Leaves tend to fall throughout the city at about the same time, creating large volumes that could not be collected in a single day. As a result, collections would fall behind, leading staffers to work evenings and weekends to stay on schedule.

'The transition to every-other week leaf collection will improve our ability to provide customers with a more reliable collection schedule, reduce the amount of overtime accrued and lessen the strain on staff,” said Utilities Department Director Steve Hershner.

The city is being split into two collection areas, green and orange, to help clarify which areas are being collected. Leaves will be collected in each area on an alternating week schedule. For a map detailing the green and orange collection areas, go to http://www.cedar-rapids.org/resident-resources/utilities/solidwaste/Documents/2014%20Fall%20Leaf%20Collection%20Map.pdf

Here's a list showing the 2014 Fall Leaf Collection schedule:

2014 Fall Leaf Vacuum Collection Schedule

Sept. 29-Oct.3 - Green Group

Oct. 6-10 - Orange Group

Oct. 13-17 - Green Group

Oct. 20-24 - Orange Group

Oct. 27-31 - Green Group

Nov. 3-7 - Orange Group

Nov. 10-14 - Green Group

Nov. 17-21 - Orange Group

Nov. 24-29 - Green Group (Thursday and Friday Collection delayed 1 day due to Thanksgiving)

Dec. 1-5 - Orange Group