MUSCATINE, Iowa – With fall in full swing, colorful leaves are beginning to cover Muscatine yards and streets. The City of Muscatine Department of Public Works (DPW) is once again preparing to help residents manage the seasonal cleanup through the annual Fall Leaf Collection Program.
City leaf vacuum trucks will begin curbside collection on Monday, October 27, starting in Zone 1 (see map). Crews will move sequentially through all eight zones and continue making multiple passes as long as weather allows.
“We encourage residents to rake leaves frequently,” said Tyson Wedekind, Street Maintenance Supervisor. “Crews will work through each zone several times this season, but since we’re not following a set schedule, it’s best to keep leaves ready for pickup whenever possible.”
Curbside Leaf Collection Guidelines
To help ensure efficient collection:
- Place leaves next to the curb, not in the street or traffic lanes.
- Keep piles free of branches, sticks, trash, and other debris—these items clog the vacuums.
- Avoid parking vehicles near leaf piles; blocked piles will not be collected until the next pass.
- Do not place leaves around mailboxes, poles, or signs.
- Place leaves outside fenced areas and only along the public right-of-way.
- Do not place leaves on city property, cul-de-sacs, or vacant lots.
Leaf collection may be delayed during inclement weather, equipment repairs, or snow events, as snow removal takes priority. If winter weather arrives early, the program may be suspended until spring.
For updates or questions, contact the Department of Public Works at 563-263-8933 or visit the Fall Leaf Pickup page on the City of Muscatine website.
Other Leaf Disposal Options
1. Drop-Off at the Compost Facility
Residents can bag their own leaves and take them to the Muscatine Compost Facility at the Transfer Station.
- Hours (through Nov. 1): 12–6 p.m. Sunday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday
- Hours (beginning Nov. 2): 12–5 p.m. Sunday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday
- Free for Muscatine and Fruitland residents (proof of residency required); a small fee applies to non-residents.
2. Curbside Yard Waste Collection
Residents may also bag their leaves in 20- or 30-gallon paper compostable bags and place them curbside on their regular refuse collection day.
- Each bag must display a City of Muscatine yard waste sticker.
- No trash, recyclables, or animal waste may be mixed in.
- Bags must weigh no more than 50 pounds and be placed curbside after 4 p.m. the day before and before 5 a.m. the day of collection.
- Stickers are available at:
- Muscatine Transfer Station
- City Hall
- Public Works
- Hy-Vee (both locations)
- Fareway
Tree limbs and trimmings can also be taken to the Compost Facility during normal hours.
DNR Tips: Healthy Alternatives to Leaf Burning
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources offers three environmentally friendly ways to handle fall leaves:
- Compost: Mix dry leaves with food scraps and green materials to create nutrient-rich compost.
- Mulch: Mow over leaves to naturally fertilize your lawn and enrich soil.
- Bag It: If you have excess leaves, bag them for curbside pickup or drop them off at the Compost Facility.
Note: Burning leaves is illegal in Muscatine on properties smaller than two acres. Leaf smoke contains pollutants that can harm your health and your neighbors’.
Know the Law: Open Burning Permits
Open burning is only allowed with a permit issued by the Muscatine Fire Department for properties one acre or larger.
- Permitted burning is limited to natural landscape waste such as leaves, brush, and tree limbs gathered from that property.
- Burning of building materials or large piles is not permitted.
- Before issuing a permit, the Fire Department will ensure the burn poses no safety hazards or visibility issues.
For more information:
Department of Public Works – 563-263-8933
Muscatine Fire Department – 563-263-9233
Visit www.muscatineiowa.gov