With autumn in full swing and leaves piling up across the township, the Lakewood Department of Public Works has launched its annual curbside leaf collection program, which runs through November and December.
Each fall, DPW deploys a dedicated fleet of leaf-collection trucks to visit every home in Lakewood. While leaf pickup is offered by request during the rest of the year, the fall program provides scheduled township-wide service to manage the seasonal surge of debris.
DPW Director Phil Roux said that although official collection routes operate Monday through Friday, crews often work additional hours on weekends. The extra shifts help crews catch properties that may have been missed during the week and allow them to get a jump on the following week’s schedule when possible.
Because collections may begin earlier than the posted dates, Roux advised residents to have their leaves ready by the Friday afternoon prior to their scheduled week.
How to Prepare Leaves
Residents are asked to rake leaves to the curbline — the same area where cars park — and leave them in loose, open piles rather than bags. Piles should not contain wood, brush, dirt, or other debris, and must be placed at least 10 feet from storm drains to prevent blockages.
Pickup Schedule by Zone
Leaf removal weeks are based on residents’ regular garbage pickup days:
Zone 1 (Monday garbage pickup):
November 3–7; December 1–5
Zone 2 (Tuesday garbage pickup):
November 10–14; December 8–12
Zone 3 (Wednesday garbage pickup):
November 17–21; December 15–19
Zone 4 (Thursday garbage pickup):
November 24–28; December 22–26
Roux thanked residents for their cooperation during the annual effort. “We would like to thank Lakewood residents for making the leaf collection process smooth and efficient,” he said. “The DPW looks forward to continuing to work toward making Lakewood as clean, safe, and beautiful as can be.”
The Department of Public Works encourages residents to follow preparation guidelines to ensure timely and effective pickup throughout the season.