How to get your leaves picked up in Eugene, Springfield, Lane County

Louis Krauss, Register-Guard
·4 min read

Lane County, Eugene and Springfield are about to kick off their annual leaf collection efforts.

The county is reminding residents that getting leaves from catch basins, grates and gutters helps prevent flooding during storms and improve water quality.

In all three jurisdictions, property owners are responsible for leaves that are placed improperly in the street or cause hazards. A few areas around Springfield and the Santa Clara community are within Lane County's leaf pickup jurisdiction.

Here are the details for each jurisdiction:

City of Eugene

Eugene’s leaf collection and delivery program begins Nov. 7.

After an initial focus on the central Eugene area, city crews will break into three groups to focus on designated sections of the city, according to a Lane County news release.

Eugene residents can look up their address online and see which of the five pickup zones they are in, and when they should pile their leaves. Visit Eugene-OR.gov and click on "Hold onto those leaves!"

Residents are asked to neatly place leaves in a row parallel to the curb the weekend before crews are scheduled to be in their neighborhood. More info on how to order leaf deliveries or report hazards such as leaves in a bike lane can be done at eugene-or.gov/leaf.

The second round of leaf collection will start Jan. 3. Residents should pile remaining leaves in the street between Dec. 31 and Jan. 2.

City residents can also call Eugene Public Works Maintenance for pickup information at 541-682-4800.

City of Springfield

In Springfield, leaves are collected in two rounds, and it is split between the west and east sides of town with 28th Street in the south and 31st Street in the north as the dividing line.

Sanipac is contracted to pick up and recycle bagged leaves for residents. Leaves must be put in medium-sized bags that contain only leaves. Bags containing other yard debris cannot be used for compost and will not be picked up.

Bags need to be placed curbside and not in the street by 7 a.m. Monday of the scheduled week for collection in that area. Not all bags will be picked up Monday and it may take several days. Severe weather can cause delays.

Springfield residents can enter to win one of two $100 gift cards to a home improvement store if they pledge to properly dispose of their leaves. A form for the raffle is available online at springfield-or.gov/leafpickup.

Pledges must be mailed to Development & Public Works, Leaf Pickup Program, 225 Fifth St., Springfield, OR 97477, or emailed with name and phone number to leafpickupprogram@springfield-or.gov.

The first round of leaf collection in Springfield starts Nov. 28 in the west part of the city, and Dec. 5 in the east. The second round starts Jan. 9 in the west and January 16 in the east.

For more information about leaf pickup in Springfield, visit www.springfield-or.gov/leafpickup or call 541-525-2658 .

Lane County

Lane County Public Works will begin its leaf pick-up program Nov. 7.

The county collects leaves in two rounds in two areas: Santa Clara north of Beltline Highway and several small Springfield locations mostly just outside city limits. Lane County crews may be working in the zone prior to official collection dates if time allows but will return to your zone as scheduled.

The county's leaf collection information line is 541-682-8565, and is updated at 5 p.m. each Friday. It describes where leaf pickup begins on a weekly basis. For more information, go to lanecountyor.gov/LeafPickUp, call 541-682-6905 or e-mail leafcollection@lanecountyor.gov.

Leaf Preparation Guidelines

Here are some tips from the county to help meet the leaf preparation guidelines:

  • In Eugene and Lane County, leaves must be in the roadway but piled at least 15 feet away from parked vehicles. Do not bag leaves.

  • In Lane County, leaf pickup will be provided for paved curb and gutter streets only. In Eugene, unimproved streets are picked up during both rounds but equipment must be able to reach the leaves from the hard road surface.

  • In Springfield, leaves need to be put in medium-sized bags. The bags should be placed curbside, not in the street.

  • Do not pile leaves in bike or traffic lanes or on curbs or sidewalks.

  • Keep storm drains and gutters clear to prevent flooding.

  • Do not mix in other debris such as branches, rocks, lawn clippings, pine needles or trash.

  • Leaves are not picked up in private yards.

  • Wait to put leaves in the street until the weekend prior to collection.

  • Consider recycling leaves as compost or mulch material.

Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Leaf pickup service set to begin in Eugene, Springfield in November