Milwaukee experienced its highest November snowfall in five decades, leading to questions from residents about municipal leaf collection progress.
According to a December 18 announcement, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland's office has fielded numerous complaints regarding the collection process.
The Department of Public Works has identified over 400 leaf pile locations throughout the city. Additional sites are added to this list after officials review reports from residents.
"While DPW works to document all large piles, there is always room for error and some piles may not yet be accounted for," Westmoreland stated. "For that reason, resident reporting is strongly encouraged to ensure no eligible locations are missed."
A snowstorm during the Thanksgiving weekend temporarily halted citywide collection efforts through December 1, even though the initial deadline had been extended from November 1 to November 30.
Operations have recommenced, but DPW indicated that full-scale rake-out and collection cannot resume until temperatures rise. The department's website mentions another limited collection opportunity is scheduled for spring 2026.
Reporting Leaf Piles to City Authorities
Residents can request leaf pickup by submitting reports to DPW. Requests are accepted online at https://iframe.publicstuff.com/#?client_id=1000167 or by calling 414-286-CITY, as noted on the department's website.
If a location isn't currently on the collection list, city staff will evaluate the site for potential inclusion.
DPW specifies that the following types of leaf piles will not be collected:
- Small accumulations of leaves
- Leaf piles pushed back toward curbs or driveways
- Compacted leaves
Options for Missed Collection Deadlines
For residents who missed the deadline or have leaves that accumulated afterward, several alternatives are available:
- Compost or mulch leaves directly into your lawn to recycle nutrients back into the soil. The city provides an instructional video on leaf mulching for further details.
- Transport leaves to a city Drop Off Center. Two centers are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, located at 3879 W. Lincoln Ave. and 6660 N. Industrial Road.
