Jelgava to hold free leaf collection on 14 and 15 November
The Jelgava municipal agency “Pilsētsaimniecība” is organising free collection of tree leaves at several locations in the city on 14 and 15 November. Specialised vehicles will arrive at designated spots at set times.
Residents of Jelgava, a city in Latvia's Zemgale region, will be able to hand in collected tree leaves free of charge at several locations on 14 and 15 November. The municipal agency “Pilsētsaimniecība” announced the initiative. To let people drop off leaves as close to home as possible, specialised vehicles will arrive at the designated locations at set times.
What residents need to do
Residents must bring the leaves to the collection point themselves. Bags must not be left at the sites before the vehicle arrives or after it has left. Before the leaves are emptied into the vehicle, staff will check that the bags contain no other waste.
At other times, residents can hand in leaves and small branches free of charge at any of the city's three sorted-waste collection sites. Legal entities must arrange and pay for leaf disposal themselves, either at the “Brakšķi” landfill or through SIA “Jelgavas komunālie pakalpojumi”.
What is prohibited
Leaves and branches are biological waste, treated the same as household waste. It is forbidden to burn them, bury them or leave them in places not intended for this, including next to waste containers, on streets, in squares, parks and forests. Household and construction waste, packaging and similar refuse must categorically not be placed in bags or containers together with biological waste.
Leaves in public spaces
The municipality explains that in some public areas of the city, leaves and cut grass are left to decompose, creating natural material for fertilising lawns. In the central parks, leaves are collected so they do not block storm drains, which carry rainwater away from pavements and roads.
