Framingham leaf pickup: 7 rules that keep your bags at the curb from being left behind

The 7 rules, straight from the City

Framingham collects leaves and brush at the curb on designated weeks only, on your regular trash day. Miss the rules and the pile stays.

1. Use paper leaf bags, or reusable containers marked yard waste.
2. No plastic bags. They are not collected.
3. Keep each bag or container to 40 pounds and 35 gallons.
4. Cut brush to 4 inches thick and 4 feet long at most.
5. Tie brush bundles with string or twine. No wire.
6. Set it out only on the City's designated weeks.
7. Put it out on your regular trash day.

When pickup weeks usually happen

Fall collection has run about five weeks, starting around the end of October (2022 ran Oct 31 to Dec 2; 2021 ran Nov 1 to Dec 3). Spring pickup has been in April.

Dates change every year, so check the City's Sanitation Calendar before you rake a single pile to the curb.

Five tips that save your back and your weekend

• Rake onto a tarp, then fold it into the bag. Half the lifting.
• Mow the last light layer of leaves into the lawn instead of bagging it.
• Fill bags halfway with wet leaves. Wet leaves hit 40 pounds fast.
• Keep leaves off storm drains and out of the street.
• Do the beds last, after the trees are bare, so you only do them once.

Too many leaves for the City weeks? A fall clean-up clears the yard and the beds in one visit.