What are you supposed to do with all those leaves?

Too many leaves in your front yard? If you're confused on what to do with them, the answer varies depending on where you live. In communities like Ken-Ton, it's encouraged to put leaves in the street, but in the City of Buffalo, that's illegal, you're supposed to bag the leaves and put them by the curb. 

“You could be summons for that it’s a safety hazard for the City of Buffalo, we have a lot of different circumstances compared to surrounding communities. There’s a lot of on street parking, those leaves get matted down and when cars pull on them they freeze," Stephen Stepniak says, Commissioner of Buffalo's Department of Public Works.

Frozen leaves in storm drains can also cause flooding problems when the snow melts in the spring.

“We work with sewer authority and we also hoped that residents keep alert when they have a receiver in front of their house. Those streets will cause street flooding sometimes when you get heavy amounts of rain and precipitation," Stepniak said. 

The question of what to do with them confused many of Buffalo's Elmwood Village residents as well. 

“Like many people I’ve been wrestling with the 'do I bag them or do I not bag them' issue," Rachel Beerman said. “A lot of our neighbors seem to not be bagging them, I believe that I read that you’re supposed to bag them and I just wonder what the actual policy is.”

If the city doesn't pick up your bagged leaves for a few weeks, call 3-1-1. 

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