GREENSBORO, N.C. — This time of year is for leaf peeping and leaf collection. This 2023-2024 season is the last time you'll see vacuum trucks in Greensboro.
In the spring of 2024, everything will change.
Policy Change Overview
- February 2024: The 2023-24 loose-leaf collection will end. This will be the last time the City will use vacuum trucks to collect leaves roadside.
- Beginning March 1, 2024: Residents must use only biodegradable paper bags for yard waste. No plastic bags will be accepted. The City will collect up to 10 bags per household per week.
- Beginning Summer 2024: Customers will receive a free, 95-gallon, gray rolling cart for leaves and yard waste. The cart will be collected weekly on residents’ regular collection days. A second cart may be purchased at a later date.
- November 1, 2024: Leaf season begins. The City will now accept up to 15 bags per household per week in addition to leaves in the 95-gallon cart.
- February 1, 2025: Leaf season ends. The bag limit was reduced to 10 again per week. The City though will continue to collect the 95-gallon yard waste bin that may include leaves.
How you get the leaves to the curb for pick-up is another story. Raking is the cheapest, but not the easiest. So, if you’re thinking about a leaf blower, let Consumer Reports testers share what they found.
"In our testing, we routinely find that a handheld leaf blower is perfect for most yards, it's a step up from a rake but it's not as big or bulky or as expensive as backpack or wheeled blowers,” said Paul Hope of Consumer Reports.
Testers weigh and strategically pile leaves into a marked area then time how long each blower takes to clear the pile.
CR also assesses how thoroughly each blower removes the leaves including those leaves at the bottom of the pile that are wet and embedded in the grass.
"Beyond performance, you want to consider the weight of any handheld leaf blower. The heaviest models in our ratings can weigh nearly twice as much as the lightest models and that can make a big difference even after just a few minutes,” said Hope.
Consumer Reports picks:
For tiny lawns or patios, the corded electric Ryobi RY421021 that starts at $70 may be all you need. But a cord has its limits. A battery-powered blower can cover as much area as you need.
Consider the recommended Ego LB6151 which starts at $200. It earns impressive scores for loosening and sweeping away leaves.
The Skil BL4713C-11 is also a smart buy, starting at $120. It holds its own against blowers that cost twice as much.
"Leaf blowers are a great investment beyond fall they can actually help with year--
round yard cleanup for things like fallen acorns, grass clippings, or even light snow on a deck,” said Hope.