Fall's coming hard, so how do you get rid of those leaves? Starting in November, the City of Philadelphia begins its leaf collection efforts.

According to a news release from the Streets Department, bagged leaf pick-up starts Nov. 5 and runs through Dec. 14. On your designated trash day, place bagged leaves curbside for pickup.

"Recycling leaves helps to reduce the amount of materials that reach the waste stream and saves landfill space," the news release said. "During this six-week program, leaves will be collected for composting purposes, like, fertilizing gardens and nourishing trees."

The city offers these requirements for the endeavor:

• Use biodegradable paper bags, allowing the bags to be processed for recycling along with the leaves.  
• Set leaf bags curbside next to trash and recycling on your trash day. 
• Do not mix trash or other recyclable materials with bagged leaves.
• Use as many bags as needed, maximum 40 pounds each. 

Although other municipalities may do so, Philadelphia does not provide biodegradable bags. Citizens must purchase bags at their local home improvement stores. 

If people miss curbside pickup, they may also take leaves to a city Sanitation Convenience Center. In Northwest Philadelphia, that center is in Roxborough at Domino Lane and Umbria Street.

People may contact the Streets Department’s Customer Affairs Unit at (215) 686-5560; visit us at www.philadelphiastreets.com. Call 3-1-1 for all City services.