But unless residents follow a few simple rules, their leaves won’t be carted away by the Vegetative Waste Pickup crew.

Leaves can only be put in average-sized garbage cans or tall biodegradable paper bags, which can be purchased at supermarkets, Home Depot, or at City Hall.

If leaves are left on the curb in plastic bags or raked into the street and left in a pile, they will not be picked up, said Recycling Coordinator Alfred DuBois.

He said leaves should be placed outside around 6 p.m. on the night before pickup is scheduled.

DuBois said he has seen "much better compliance" over the years by City residents about following procedure.

Leaves will be picked up the same day as vegetative waste until the end of December.

DuBois said the vegetative pick-up crew starts collecting toward the end of March until the last week in December, depending on the weather. The crews pick up grass, twigs, and branches from all around the City at least once a week. Once fall comes around you can add leaves to that list also.

Last year, about 4,500 tons of leaves were collected with the more than 10,000 tons of vegetative waste.

Dubois said vegetative waste is collected, dumped, and then loaded into trailers where it is turned into compost mulch. Residents are welcomed to take the compost for their gardens.

"People usually mulch on their own," Dubois said, adding that helps with their gardens.

A copy of the schedule and recycling guide for this year was mailed out last December, but for anyone who needs a copy log on to www.cliftonnj.org and click on "Trash and Recycling." Go to the "2008 Recycling Guide," then find the "Organic Materials Curbside" link and finally go to the "See Street Directory" option.

Schedules may also be picked up at City Hall or either of the two libraries in Clifton.

For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 973-470-2239.