RICHMOND, VA – The Department of Public Works will begin its Annual Leaf Collection Program on Monday, October 5, offering residents four convenient and environmentally responsible options to manage seasonal yard waste. 

Leaf removal is vital to the health of the city’s right of way and stormwater infrastructure.

The following leaf collection options are available:

Bagged Collection Option

• Starting October 5
• Up to 6 bags collected on normal trash day (place bags near supercan)
• Biodegradable bags preferred

Unlimited Bag Collection Option

During November & December [by sector/trash collection]

The city is divided into four sectors for bagged leaf collection, based on trash collection schedules. During the designated period, residents can place an unlimited number of bags (at the curb) for weekend collection. Biodegradable bags are preferred.

• Sector 1: Wednesday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between November 6 - 14
• Sector 2: Thursday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between November 20 - 28
• Sector 3: Monday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between December 4 - 12
• Sector 4: Tuesday Trash Collection
• Bagged leaves will be picked up between December 18 - 26

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Options

• Residents can compost or mulch leaves.
• Compost bins are available for $41.50.
• If interested in purchasing a bin, email [email protected] .

• Dispose of loose leaves:
• Residents can drop off loose leaves or put them in biodegradable bags at the following two locations:

1. East Richmond Road Convenience Center | 3800 E. Richmond Road
2. Maury Street Leaf Drop-Off | 2900 Maury Street

• Additionally, residents can take bagged leaves to
• Hopkins Road Transfer Station |3506 North Hopkins Road
• Note: they only accept bagged leaves

Vacuum Service Option | Available Monday, November 2

Cost: $30 fee per request (payment due prior to service)

Scheduling: Go to www.RVA311.com or call 3-1-1

Payment Options:

• 1). COR Utility Account - $30 fee will be added to your utility bill, or
• 2). Via Mail 
• Check or Money Order – payable to the City of Richmond
• Mail payment to:
• Attn: DPW Vacuum Leaf Collection Service
• 900 East Broad Street, Room 704
• Richmond, VA 23219
• Note: a service request ID number is generated for requests made through the RVA311 system, please be sure to include that number on the check or money order

Guidelines:

• Payment must be received before collection will be scheduled
• The leaves must be raked and ready for collection when the request is made
• Rake leaves to the curb or property line, but not into the street or gutters
• Remove sticks, stones or other objects that may damage equipment
• Leaves will not be collected from the alley

What to Expect:

• Once payment has been confirmed, the service will take place within 15 business days of the paid request, not including weekends, city holidays or inclement weather
• Scheduled appointments for leaf collection cannot be accommodated
• Vacuum service may be delayed during inclement weather
• Note - if you have not received service within 15 business days of your request (not including city holidays) and there have been no significant weather events, please call 3-1-1

For more information on leaf collection please visit rva.gov/public-works/leaf-collection or for assistance, call 3-1-1.

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X (formerly Twitter) @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 225 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk, and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; urban forestry; civil engineering and capital improvement projects along with the Department of Transportation (DOT). DPW delivers essential services that keep the city clean, safe, and healthy. The DOT plans, builds and maintains the city’s transportation system to ensure safe, reliable, and equitable mobility for all users. The department is responsible for traffic operations, street signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, bike lanes, and transportation programs that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Guided by the city’s Vision Zero commitment, the DOT works to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries through data-driven policies, street design, and community partnerships. In addition, the DOT issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station and the RVA Bike Share Program. Report service requests to RVA311.com or call 3-1-1.

"On behalf of the City of Richmond Department of Transportation, I want to express our concern for the people injured during yesterday morning’s incident at the temporary GRTC Downtown Transfer Station. We are grateful that the injuries reported were not life-threatening, and our thoughts remain with those who were affected.

We want to thank the quick actions of first responders, including Richmond Police, Richmond Fire and Richmond Ambulance Authority, and emergency personnel who responded immediately, cared for those injured, secured the area, and helped restore safe conditions. We also recognize the outstanding work of GRTC staff, who maintained transit operations during a challenging emergency event and worked diligently to minimize disruptions for riders.

A bus trip is an extension of a walking trip, which means transit operations and pedestrian safety are closely linked. The City remains focused on improving safety throughout Richmond’s transportation network, particularly in high-activity transit areas where thousands of people walk, wait, and transfer every day.

This incident occurred at the temporary Downtown Transfer Station, a facility that continues to play a critical role in connecting riders while Richmond and GRTC advance plans for a permanent Downtown Transit Hub immediately adjacent to the current site. The future transit hub represents an important investment in safe, reliable access to increase the comfort of the riders' experience. We look forward to continued progress on this transformative project, which will provide modern facilities designed to better serve both transit riders and the surrounding region for decades to come.

As part of ongoing efforts to evaluate operations and enhance safety, the Downtown Transfer Station will undergo a full safety review and targeted improvements. To support this work, additional planned closures of the transfer station will occur from August 31, 2026, through September 11, 2026. During this period, bus routes will continue operating from designated temporary transfer locations nearby.

Before the closure begins, riders will receive a detailed map showing where each route will stop within the temporary transfer area, and signage will be installed throughout the area to help customers navigate the temporary changes. We encourage people to pay close attention to posted information and GRTC service announcements during this period.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. The City of Richmond and GRTC remain committed to providing a safe, reliable access to all the places Richmond offers while continuing to invest in the long-term improvements that will strengthen transit service throughout our region."

The City of Richmond has completed installation of its pilot Safety Camera Program, bringing the program to 13 school-zone speed cameras and 10 red-light enforcement intersections across the city.

The program is designed to deter dangerous driving, encourage compliance with traffic laws and reduce serious and fatal crashes, and data from the school-zone cameras show measurable reductions in vehicle speeds at most locations.

A 29-month analysis of the City’s 13 school-zone camera locations found that 10 schools experienced measurable reductions in vehicle speeds after cameras were installed. Three schools maintained speeds at or below the 25-mph school-zone limit throughout the analysis period. At Richmond High School for the Arts, the largest improvement was recorded, with average speeds dropping from 41-mph to 33-mph. 

“Every mile per hour matters when it comes to safety, especially near our schools where children are walking, biking, and crossing streets,” said Andy Boenau, Director of the Richmond Department of Transportation. “Safety cameras are not about revenue, they are about changing driver behavior and saving lives, and the data shows they are working.”

The final red-light camera in the pilot program has been installed at Fairfield Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike. A 30-day warning period begins August 27, 2026. During the warning period, motorists who run a red light at the intersection will receive a warning notice rather than a citation.

Following the warning period, registered vehicle owners who receive a red-light violation captured by the safety camera will be issued a $50 citation, in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

The addition of Fairfield Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike brings the red-light enforcement portion of the pilot program to completion, with 10 safety cameras installed and operational or entering the warning period:

• Fairfield Avenue & Mechanicsville Turnpike
• Hull Street Road & East Belt Boulevard
• Midlothian Turnpike & German School Road
• 25th Street & Main Street
• Belvidere Street & Cary Street
• Chamberlayne Avenue & Brookland Park Boulevard
• Chamberlayne Avenue & Laburnum Avenue
• Hull Street & Warwick Road
• Hull Street & Cowardin Avenue
• Commerce Road & Maury Street

Drivers are encouraged to:

• Slow down as traffic signals turn yellow. Yellow means prepare to stop, not speed up.
• Stop fully at red lights. Entering an intersection after the light has turned red is a violation.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.
• Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.

Red-light running contributes to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries across the country each year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 1,000 people are killed and more than 100,000 are injured annually in crashes involving drivers who run red lights.


For more information about Richmond’s Safety Camera Program, visit rva.gov/police/safety-camera-program.

For more information about Richmond’s Vision Zero efforts, visit rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero.

The City of Richmond is expanding its Safety Camera Program to another high-risk intersection as part of its ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, deter dangerous driving behaviors and reduce serious and fatal crashes.

A 30-day warning period begins August 17, 2026, at Midlothian Turnpike and German School Road. During the warning period, motorists who run a red light at the intersection will receive a warning notice rather than a citation.

Following the warning period, registered vehicle owners who receive a red-light violation captured by the safety camera will be issued a $50 citation, in accordance with the Code of Virginia.

The addition of Midlothian Turnpike and German School Road brings the program to nine intersections with safety cameras installed and operational or entering the warning period:

• Midlothian Turnpike & German School Road

• 25th Street & Main Street

• Belvidere Street & Cary Street

• Chamberlayne Avenue & Brookland Park Boulevard

• Chamberlayne Avenue & Laburnum Avenue

• Hull Street & Warwick Road

• Hull Street & Cowardin Avenue

• Commerce Road & Maury Street

• Hull Street Road & East Belt Boulevard

One additional intersections included in the pilot program are also expected to become operational soon:

• Mechanicsville Turnpike & Fairfield Way

“Every red-light violation is a preventable risk to everyone using our streets,” said Andy Boenau, Director of the Richmond Department of Transportation. “Safety cameras are one of the tools we can use to encourage safer driving behavior and support our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in Richmond.”

Drivers are encouraged to:

• Slow down as traffic signals turn yellow. Yellow means prepare to stop — not speed up.

• Stop fully at red lights. Entering an intersection after the light has turned red is a violation.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.

• Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination safely.

Red-light running contributes to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries across the country each year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 1,000 people are killed and more than 100,000 are injured annually in crashes involving drivers who run red lights.

For more information about Richmond’s Safety Camera Program, visit rva.gov/police/safety-camera-program.

For more information about Richmond’s Vision Zero efforts, visit rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero

• WHO: 
  
  • The Department of Public Works
  • The Clean City Commission, and 
  • The Department of Public Utilities
• WHAT: 
  
  • Recycling and Disposal Event - More than Electronics! 
  • This free recycling event is available to city residents only – proof of residency is required - No business or commercial items will be accepted
• WHEN:
  
  • Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where:
  
  • 1710 Robin Hood Road 
• Why: 
  
  • To keep recyclable and hazardous materials out of landfills, city waterways, streams and rivers.
  • To provide residents with a convenient way to reduce waste.
  • To promote environmental stewardship and support the city’s sustainability goals. 

~ Items for Collection ~

Paper Document Shredding

• Up to five (5) boxes of documents
  
  • Be sure to remove all binders, staples, and clips

Electronics (various fees apply)

• Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
  
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Other used electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification, use the link below)
• Get the list of fees and the full list of electronics to recycle
  • Go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission 

Household Hazardous Waste Items (HHW)

• Oil-based Paint
• Bug spray, pesticides, rodent poison, and herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon etc.)
• Latex and water-based paints will not be collected. These items can be left in open paint cans until they have dried out and then put in with regular curbside trash pick-up. 

Information on recycling or the event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email us at [email protected]

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or visit the Clean City Commission’s Instagram page @rvacleancitycommission

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