Riga residents can drop off autumn leaves for free until 22 November — including on weekdays

Riga City Council’s autumn leaf collection is past the halfway point: until 22 November, residents can drop off leaves raked from trees and shrubs free of charge at 33 points across the city. Most points open only on Saturdays or Sundays, often for just an hour or two, so for those whose weekends are busy a handful of points that open on weekdays will come in handy.

Where to drop off leaves on weekdays this week

• Torņakalns, Uzvaras Boulevard 16A: 9–13 November, 09:00–19:00, and next week on 16, 17, 19 and 20 November; at weekends 09:00–17:00.
• Jaunciems, at the junction of the 3rd and 4th cross streets (3. and 4. šķērslīnija): Tuesday 10 November and 17 November, 07:00–13:00.
• Vecdaugava, the turning circle at the end of Laivinieku Street (nearest address: Laivinieku iela 11A): Thursday 12 November and 19 November, 07:00–13:00.
• Latgale district, near Ogres iela 8 (added at residents’ request): Friday 13 November and 20 November, 07:00–13:00.
• Vecmīlgrāvis, junction of Baltāsbaznīcas Street and Vecāķu Avenue: Friday 13 November and 20 November, 15:00–19:00.

At weekends — across the city

The remaining points open at weekends. In Imanta, for example, leaves are accepted near Kurzemes Avenue and Baltegļu iela 1 on Saturdays from 13:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 14:00 to 17:00; in Āgenskalns, on the corner of Atpūtas and Nomales streets, on Saturdays from 09:00 to 12:00 and on Sundays from 11:00 to 15:00; and in Mežaparks, near Siguldas prospekts 12, on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00. In Dārzciems the points open in turn on Sundays, for about an hour at each location, so it is worth checking the times in advance.

What to know before you go

The rules are the same as in previous years. Leaves must not be brought in advance or left outside a point’s opening hours. Bagged leaves are not accepted — they must be emptied into a container or a special refuse lorry, and the empty bags taken away. The leaves must not contain any other waste, and old household appliances, furniture or construction debris must not be brought to the points.

Staff from the council’s Department of Public Space and Mobility are on duty at the points and, where possible, help older residents empty their bags, while the municipal police are stepping up patrols to stop leaves being dumped elsewhere. Questions can be put to the council’s free helpline on 1201.