The City of Rock Island is providing free leaf collection for its residential refuse customers from Monday, October 9 through Friday, December 1, 2017, with the following conditions:  customers must place the leaves in approved paper yard waste bags; customers may provide their own approved paper yard waste bags or use bags provided by the City; the bags must be placed at the normal refuse collection location on the regular refuse collection day (a separate truck will collect the leaf bags); the bags may not contain anything other than leaves.

Residents do not have to be participants in the Yard Waste Subscription Service to use this leaf collection service and they do not have to place a yard waste sticker on the bags of leaves. 

In addition to providing free leaf collection, the City will also furnish bags for this program at no cost. The free bags will be available beginning on Monday, October 2 at the following locations and times:

Rock Island City Hall                                                     

1528 Third Avenue                                                                                 

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.                                              

Public Works Department

1309 Mill Street

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Martin Luther King Center                                                           

630 9^th Street                                                                             

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.                    

South Rock Island Township Office

1019 27^th Avenue (pickup in the front office)

Monday through Friday

9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Rock Island Township Assessor’s Office

2827 7^th Avenue, Suite 1

(pickup in the back of the building)

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Highland Springs Golf Course                                        

9500 35^th Street West                                                     

Monday through Sunday (7 days a week)                       

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.                                                                         

Saukie Golf Course

3101 38^th Street

Monday through Sunday (7 days a week)

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City has purchased leaf bags for this program and residents will be given as many as needed while supplies last. However, in order to insure that everyone has an opportunity to receive free leaf bags, residents will only be given a maximum of 20 bags per day. Residents must provide proof of Rock Island residence through a photo ID or official mail in order to receive free bags.

The bags provided by the City may only be used during this Free Leaf Collection Program or in future Free Leaf Collection Programs.

Grass clippings, leaves, or other materials are not allowed to be placed into the street or dumped into ravines where they can be washed into the storm water system.  Debris can restrict the storm water flow and cause flooding.  Violations of the Storm Water Control Ordinance are subject to fines from $250 to $1,500 per violation per day.

In the fall of 2008, the City of Rock Island enacted an Ordinance prohibiting the burning of leaves or yard waste.  Any person violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine amount of up to forty dollars ($40.00) for the first offense.  The Rock Island Fire and Police Departments enforce the ordinance.  If you observe any violations please contact the Police Non-emergency number (732-2677). 

Recreational fires are allowed by code.  Recreational fires are outdoor fires burning materials other than leaves and rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit, and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking warmth, or similar purposes.  Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible materials.  These fires must also be attended at all times with a means of extinguishment readily available.  Burning rubbish or leaves in a recreational fire is considered an ordinance violation and can result in a fine from $40 to $500.

Outdoor fires burning materials other than leaves and rubbish that are contained in an outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbeque pit are not subject to the 25 foot clearance requirement.  These fires must also be attended at all times with a means of extinguishment readily available.  If you have any question regarding enforcement of the new ordinance contact the Rock Island Fire Department at 732-2800. 

The Rock Island Fire Department reserves the right to extinguish recreational fires.