All Around Pennsauken

By Joe Scavuzzo, Director Of Pennsauken Public Works

This article marks the beginning of a new and improved leaf pile collection operation at Public Works. In response to resident requests for a curbside leaf pile collection schedule and sign posting, the Township has created a program that is currently advertised on the Township’s website and social media accounts; the Public Works Facebook page; and this article.

Residents have two options for disposing of leaves in Pennsauken. The first is to place leaves in cans/bags and put them out for collection on the normal Wednesday yard debris collection day. For those who don’t have many leaves, this is often the best option due to its weekly occurrence. It also prevents leaves from blowing around between setting them out and collection!

The second option is to place your leaves curbside on the weekend prior to the scheduled collection week for your section. Starting in 2023, a six-week collection program has been designed to ensure that each section of Pennsauken receives at least two passes of curbside leaf collection.

We are asking residents to place their leaves curbside on the weekend prior to the scheduled collection week for their section. Do not place leaves in the street; instead, leave them up on the curb strip. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stormwater regulations restrict the placement of leaf piles within 10 feet of a storm drain inlet. Leaves will be collected by the leaf vacuum machines according to the posted schedule. Additionally, signs will be posted around the sections where collection is starting the following week. This will indicate that a collection is upcoming and to get to work! Leaf piles with branches or other debris mixed-in will not be collected. Other yard debris, such as grass clippings and branches will need to be properly placed out for collection on the weekly yard debris collection on Wednesdays.

Please be aware that rain can slow down the collection process. Any alterations to the schedule for unforeseen events will be promptly posted via the Township’s website and social media accounts.

For this schedule to work, all leaves for the posted collection week must be placed curbside by Sunday evening. As our crews service each street, they will be marking each as “complete” and moving onto others in that section.

Leaf piles placed at the curb after Public Works crews have passed will not be collected until the second scheduled collection. Leaf piles placed at the curb after the second scheduled pass will be required to be bagged for the normal Wednesday yard debris collection.

The Town has been divided into three (3) sections, using the existing garbage day routes. Your Garbage Collection Day determines which Leaf Collection Section you are in.

If your normal garbage collection day is Friday, then you are in the Blue Section.

If your normal garbage collection day is Tuesday, then you are in the Red Section.

If your normal garbage collection day is Monday or Thursday, then you are in the Gold Section.

2023 Curbside Leaf Collection Schedule

Beginning in 2024, the Township’s Stormwater Permit through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will require an enforcement of leaf piles being placed out no longer than seven days prior to collection. We feel that this new schedule will permit residents to know when their collection week is and be able to plan their yardwork in advance. Traditionally, homeowners do yardwork on the weekends, which is perfect for maintaining compliance with these new regulations. If the leaves are out in the posted section by Sunday evening, your Department of Public Works will be through that section over the next week.

We hope that this schedule answers our residents’ request and makes this seasonal chore a bit easier!

I also wanted to send a big “thank you” to all of the 100+ volunteers who came out for the fall clean-up on Sept. 30. Approximately 1.23 tons of trash was collected from the Chestnut Ave. roadside between 36th and 43rd streets!

From all of us at Pennsauken Public Works, we wish you a very enjoyable Thanksgiving! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach us at (856) 663-0178, email PublicWorks@pennsauken.gov, or find us on Facebook at “Pennsauken Twp. Dept. of Public Works.”

Talkin’ Trash

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23, is a “trash holiday.” Thursday’s trash and recycling collection will be on Friday, Nov. 24. Friday’s trash and recycling will be picked up on Saturday, Nov. 25. Trash and recycling collection on Monday, Nov. 20, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, as well as yard waste and white goods pickup on Wednesday, Nov. 22, remains on a regular schedule.