Muncie sanitation announces Nov. 1 leaf season, asks residents to use paper biodegradable bags

Rick Conrad, district administrator for the Muncie Sanitary District, told the board the district will begin leaf season on Nov. 1 and requested residents use paper biodegradable leaf bags for curbside pickup.

The change is a transitional policy this year; Conrad said free paper bags are available at Muncie Sanitation Recycling, 2120 North Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Monday through Friday during business hours. He said pickup schedules will be: for residents on Monday–Wednesday routes, collection will occur on Wednesdays between 2 and 5 p.m.; for Thursday–Friday routes, collection will occur Saturdays between 7 and 11:30 a.m. Conrad estimated the season typically lasts about three to five weeks and asked residents to set leaves at the curb and separate them from household trash.

Conrad reminded the board that an ordinance prohibits raking or blowing leaves into streets and warned that plastic bags may not be collected on the same schedule as paper bags; plastic-bagged leaves could receive a sticker or a notice asking residents to use paper bags in the future. He provided Sanitation's phone number, 747-4865, for questions and said staff will be lenient during the transitional year.

Conrad also recapped a recent Truck-or-Treat event hosted by the district, reporting about 200 attendees and thanking internal departments and donors. He said the district received donated candy from East Central Recycling, reusable bags from Best Equipment, and bottled water and reusable bags from Canadian American Water. Several commissioners praised the event and staff participation, noting Muncie Fire and EMS were present.

Conrad said the leaf-pickup notice is posted on the district website and on Facebook. He closed with a safety reminder that sanitation crews and sweepers will make frequent stops during leaf pickup and asked drivers to exercise caution in subdivisions.