The City of Avon Lake

Service Department's Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is curbside leaf collection?
(A) Curbside leaf collection is provided by the City in the fall only. Leaf collection starts around the end of October and goes through December, weather permitting.
(B)The leaves should be placed on the treelawn area. The City crews follow a route through the city; there is not a specific day for pick up. It takes the crews about two weeks to complete a full route depending on the amount of leaves put out.
(C) During the spring, leaves need to be put in clear yard waste bags and placed at curbside on the same day as regular garbage pick up by Allied Waste Industries (formerly) BFI.

2. When will branches/brush be picked up?
Do I need to call the City to schedule pick up?
(A) Curbside branch chipping is provided by the City year round except during fall leaf collection. The City also provides Christmas tree pick up starting after Christmas to the end of January. It is not necessary to call for pick up, the City crews follow a route through the city; there is not a specific day for pick up. The branches/brush should be placed loose on the treelawn area. Please place the branches/brush so that they do not block sidewalk or protrude into the street.
(B)Allied Waste will pick up branches that are cut to 4 feet or less in length and are tied in bundles then placed at curbside on the same day as regular garbage pick up, between April 15 and November 30.

3. Who will pick up furniture, appliances, grass clippings, etc?
(A)Allied Waste is under contract with the City (residents pay a monthly fee) to pick up bagged leaves and grass clippings in clear plastic bags; bundled branches; blue bag recyclables; bulky items such as furniture, mattresses, stoves, clothes dryers, etc.; carpeting and limited amounts of residential construction debris after it meets Allied Waste's required length and bundling can be placed at curbside for pick up on the same day as your regular garbage pick up. More information. Allied Waste can be contacted at 1-800-433-1309 if you have any questions about an item to be placed out for pick up.

4. Can I get free mulch from the City?
(A) The Avon Lake Service Department has available for any Lorain County resident composted leaf humus and wood chips. The humus and chips are available at the Service Department at 750 Avon Belden Road. The bins containing the humus are located off the north drive entrance to the building. The resident will need to provide their own containers and shovel ( no mechanical means of loading is allowed). The humus and chips are available at any time.

5. Who will pick up a refrigerator, freezer, dehumidifier or window air conditioning unit?
(A) Allied Waste will take these items on the same day as your regular garbage pick up but it is necessary to first have the Freon removed by a certified technician, who will place a sticker with who did the removal and the date on the item.
(B)ALLIED WASTE WILL NOT TAKE ANY ITEM THAT MAY CONTAIN FREON WITHOUT THIS STICKER. If applicable the doors must be removed.
(C)The City of Avon Lake doesn't have a list of certified technicians and doesn't recommend any specific company. Any local heating and air conditioning service or small appliance repair service should be able to provide residents with the service.

6. How/where can I dispose of house paint, motor oil, tires or other household hazardous waste that Allied Waste will not take?
(A) Lorain County Solid Waste Management District makes arrangements for collection of many items not picked up by Allied Waste such as car tires, paint, motor oil, etc. They advertise these special collections periodically in local newspapers. LCSWMD can be contacted at 1-800-449-5463 or online at www.loraincounty.us/solidwaste for further information.