Do NOT burn leaves in the City of Paducah.  Leaf burning is banned by a City ordinance.  Review Paducah Code of Ordinances Chapter 42-49-(e)7 for information about legal regulations regarding waste disposal.   Call the Engineering-Public Works Department at 444-8567 for more information.

Leaf Bags

As part of the 2009 operational efficiency plan and budget trimming, the City of Paducah no longer provides leaf bags to residents.  Residents should still bag their leaves for collection.  Leaves that are not bagged will not be collected.  Residents may use any type of yard or trash bag for their leaves.

A limited supply of surplus bags from 2008's leaf collection program is available for purchase.  There is a limit of two boxes per person per visit.  The boxes of leaf bags are available for city and non-city residents.  The boxes contain 50 bags and can be purchased for $8.00 at the following locations:

•  City of Paducah Finance Department – 1st Floor of City Hall – 300 South 5th Street – 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; or
•  Compost Facility – 1560 North 8th Street – Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m-3:00 p.m.  

Leaf Bag Collection Guidelines

• Leaf collection will coincide with the refuse collection schedule.  In other words, if your trash is collected on Tuesdays, leaf bags will be collected on Tuesdays. If, due to the amount of leaf bags on a route, the Engineering-Public Works crews fall behind, leaf bags will be collected the following Monday or on the next scheduled refuse collection.   
• The brush/bulk pick up will be suspended during leaf season. 
• During the holidays, the leaf collection schedule will coincide with the refuse collection schedule. 
• City residents can drop bags of leaves off at the Compost Facility at 1560 North 8th Street during business hours at no charge.  
• Leaf bags must be out no later than 5:30 a.m. on the scheduled pick up day (City suggests placing bags out the day before).  Bags put out after crews have gone by will not be picked up until the next scheduled collection day. 
• Do not include grass clippings, brush, trash, construction materials, etc. with the leaves.  Bags that have any of these materials mixed with the leaves will not be collected. 
• Place bags next to the road for easy pick up.  Do not place bags behind obstacles such as parked vehicles, tree, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or streetlights. 
• Bags should not be placed in the street, gutter, ditches, or any drainage way.  This will obstruct the flow of storm water runoff when it rains. 
• If a resident has fewer than five bags of leaves, the bags will be collected at the same time as the refuse.  If a resident has more than 5 bags of leaves, please group these bags away from the rollout container.  A different collection truck will collect those bags. 
• Leaf collection will be postponed during any inclement weather conditions. 

Leaf Vacuuming

Leaf vacuuming will be done periodically in City rights-of-way.  Residents who cannot bag their leaves should make arrangements with friends or family or a commercial lawn service to have their leaves bagged.  The City does not maintain an elderly or handicap list for leaf collection.  Leaves that are not bagged will not be collected. 

Commercial Lawn Services

Commercial lawn service organizations working for City of Paducah residents during leaf season are to remove the leaves from the premises and dispose of them properly.  See Code of Ordinances Sec. 42-49 for additional information.  During leaf season, the City is suspending the charges for the disposal of leaves at the Compost Facility for commercial lawn service organizations working for City residents.  The commercial organization will be requested to show its City of Paducah business license and provide the address of the Paducah residence where it has been working.  Charges for the disposal of brush still apply.

Leaf Collection Alternatives

Mulching is one of the best ways to recycle leaves.  Many lawn mowers have mulching blades that cut the leaves into small bits.  Those mulched leaves provide nutrients to flowerbeds, lawns, and gardens.  Mulching is also good for the environment by reducing waste and saving money. 

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