Rock Island starts leaf collection Oct. 12

Fall starts tomorrow and Rock Island is getting ready for leaf collection.

The city is offering leaf collection for its residential refuse customers from Monday, October 12 through Thursday, December 3. Customers must place the leaves in approved paper yard waste bags. They may use their own approved paper yard waste bags or use bags provided by the city. Bags must be placed at the normal refuse collection location on the regular refuse collection day. A separate truck will collect the leaf bags. The bags may not contain anything other than leaves.

Residents do not have to be participants in the Yard Waste Subscription Service to use this leaf collection service and do not have to place a yard waste sticker on the bags of leaves.

The city is furnishing bags for this program at no cost, which will be available beginning on Monday, October 5 at these locations:

• Public Works Department, 1309 Mill Street, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• South Rock Island Township Office, 4330 11th Street, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Rock Island Township Assessor’s Office 2827 7th Avenue, Suite 1 (pickup in the back of the building) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents will be given as many as needed while supplies last. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to receive leaf bags, residents will only be given a maximum of 20 bags per day. Residents must provide proof of Rock Island residence through a photo ID or official mail to receive leaf bags. The bags provided by the city may only be used during this leaf collection program or in future leaf collection programs.

Grass clippings, leaves or other materials are not allowed to be placed into the street or dumped into ravines where they can be washed into the storm water system. Debris can restrict the storm water flow and cause flooding. Violations of the Storm Water Control ordinance are subject to fines ranging between $250 to $1,500 per violation per day.

Rock Island enacted an ordinance prohibiting the burning of leaves or yard waste in 2008. Anyone violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine amount of up to $40 for the first offense. The Rock Island Fire and Police Departments have strict enforcement of the ordinance.

Residents who see violations should contact the Police non-emergency number at 309-732-2677.

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