Oak Ridge Fall Leaf Pickup Begins Nov. 16
October 27, 2026, 5:27 p.m.

OAK RIDGE, TN - The City of Oak Ridge will begin its annual citywide leaf pickup program on Monday, November 16, 2026. A collection schedule outlining the streets to be serviced each week is available online at oakridgetn.gov/leafpickup.

Residents are encouraged to review the schedule carefully, as several route and scheduling changes have been made this year. These adjustments are designed to improve collection efficiency and help crews stay on schedule throughout the program. Residents should place leaves at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled pickup week.

To help ensure a safe and efficient collection process for residents and Waste Connections crews, please follow these guidelines:

• Placement: Leaves should be placed in a loose pile within ten (10) feet of the curb line. Leaf piles should not be placed on sidewalks, streets, parking spaces, or in drainage ditches. Leaf piles must be located within ten (10) feet of the curb line. Improperly placed leaves can create hazards for motorists and pedestrians and may clog storm drains. The City may remove any hazards caused by improperly placed leaves at the resident's expense. Leaves must remain loose and should not be placed in plastic or paper bags.

• Accessibility: All leaves must be placed outside fenced areas. If no suitable location is available, rake leaves to the end or side of your driveway.

• Prohibited Items: Crews will NOT collect leaf piles containing branches, twigs, brush, or other debris. These materials can damage or clog the leaf vacuum equipment and may delay collection efforts. Leaf piles found to contain these items will be skipped.

• Timing: All leaves must be placed for collection by 7 a.m. on the Monday of the scheduled pickup week. Material placed at the curb after this time may not be collected.

Residents should be aware that collection efforts may be affected by weather conditions or unusually high participation levels. Street sweeping will take place approximately two weeks after leaf collection is completed in each designated area.

For more information, please contact Waste Connections of Tennessee at (865) 482-3656.