ALTON - The City of Alton announced its 2025 leaf vacuum truck schedule, providing residents with a timeline for leaf collection services across different wards. The service begins Nov. 17, 2025, and runs through Dec. 23, 2025, with vacuum trucks operating in designated areas on specified dates.
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The leaf vacuum service requires residents to rake leaves to the edge of their yards but not into the street, as leaves in the roadway can clog the city’s stormwater drainage system. Raking leaves into the street or along the curb violates city ordinance and may result in citations.
Alton Public Works will operate the vacuum trucks according to the following schedule: Wards 5 and 6 from November 17 to 21; Wards 3 and 4 from December 1 to 5; Wards 1 and 2 from December 8 to 12; Ward 7 from December 15 to 19; and the Luminary Route from December 22 to 23. The city notes that in the event of winter weather, leaf vacuum service will be suspended, and trucks may not return to streets once serviced.
In addition to leaf vacuuming, the city reminds residents that yard debris — including tree limbs, grass cuttings, leaves, recycling, or trash — cannot be brought to city dumpsters. Instead, Republic Services offers weekly curbside yard waste collection at no additional charge.
Residents can request one yard waste cart per household by contacting Republic Services at 618-656-6883. The city advises marking personal trash cans with a large red “X” and keeping yard waste bags or cans under 60 pounds. Leaves should be removed from plastic bags or boxes before disposal in yard waste dumpsters.
Regarding leaf burning, the city permits burning only on Wednesdays and Saturdays during October, November, December, and from April 15 through May 30, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Only leaves, plants, or shrubs may be burned; burning trash, garbage, or other disposables is prohibited and subject to police citations. Burning on streets is discouraged as it damages asphalt, and leaf burning must be done in a container on private property.
The city requests that residents refrain from raking leaves onto streets or burning them there to maintain public safety and infrastructure.
