Fall is here… and so is the yearly headache of what to do with all those leaves piling up in the yard. Even with unseasonably warm weather in October, when the temperature nosedives and the trees shed their colors, you’ll want a plan for what’s left behind. The City of Mattoon makes things easier with their ‘Fall Leaf Collection’ Program, providing residents with a weekly pickup. Starting November 2nd, 2026, and ending on December 4th, 2026,
Collection Zones and Days:
- Zone 1 (Northeast) – Mondays: 19th Street east to city limits & Charleston Avenue north to city limits
- Zone 2 (Northwest) – Tuesdays: 19th Street west to city limits & Western Avenue north to city limits
- Zone 3 (Southwest) – Wednesdays: CN Railroad west to city limits & Western Avenue south to city limits
- Zone 4 (Southeast) – Thursdays: CN Railroad east to city limits & Charleston Avenue south to city limits
Collection Requirements:
- Leaves must be in 30-gallon paper yard waste bags – no plastic bags accepted
- Bags are available at County Market, Kull Lumber, Rural King! (Of course, the big box stores too but support local!)
- Bags must be placed within ten feet of the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled day
- Anything set out after 7 a.m., won’t be picked up until the following week…
Residents who’d rather skip bagging altogether can haul leaves directly to the Yard Waste Facility, open seven days a week during daylight hours, where leaves can be either bagged or dumped loose on the pile. And for those looking to avoid the hassle completely, mulching leaves right into the lawn is a simple, bag-free alternative, with more tips available through the University of Illinois Extension’s website. Find those here: https://extension.illinois.edu/ccdms.
