It's Leaf Season in Cambridge

Freshly fallen leaves contain a natural fertilizer called phosphorus. When leaves on the ground decompose, rain carries this phosphorus through the City's stormwater pipes into local waterways. Leaves and other yard waste left on paved surfaces like streets and sidewalks contribute to stormwater pollution that results in harmful algal blooms and poor water quality. Leaves can also clog storm drains and cause local flooding. Watch this short video to learn more about stormwater pollution and how you can help: Leaf Video - English.mp4 - Google Drive

How You Can Help Keep Streets and Waterways Clean This Fall

Collect Your Leaves for Yard Waste

Rake or sweep leaves from paved surfaces (driveways, sidewalks, and curbs) for curbside yard waste collection. Rake early and often and keep leaf piles away from storm drains. Yard waste collected in Cambridge is composted to make rich soil - further reducing our city's climate impact.

Need yard waste bags? Cambridge DPW is offering free yard waste bags for residents who subscribe Forest Friends monthly newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter here.

To learn more about yard waste collection or to request yard waste stickers, visit here.

Move Your Car for Street Cleaning

Help us keep Cambridge streets clean by moving your car on your scheduled street sweeping day. Street cleaning helps remove leaves and debris that would otherwise wash into storm drains. It's important for residents to move their cars so sweepers can directly access the curb to most efficiently remove leaves. To view the street cleaning schedule on your street, sign up for reminders, or add notifications to your digital calendar, visit: CambridgeMA.gov/StreetCleaning.

Clear Storm Drains on Your Street

Many residents already help by clearing leaves from storm drains-thank you! While raking your yard, please also clear nearby storm drains and include the leaves in your yard waste collection. You can go a step further by becoming a Cambridge Storm Steward! Claim the storm drain near your home, give it a fun name, and help reduce pollution in your neighborhood. Sign up to be a Storm Steward here: Storm Stewards Cambridge