The Ayuntamiento de Madrid has commenced its leaf collection campaign for the 2026-2027 season, deploying 2,265 workers and 604 mechanical devices to ensure the city’s streets remain clean during the autumn, winter, and spring months. This year's campaign starts earlier than in previous years, kicking off on 4 November instead of 11 November, due to an early drop of leaves from certain tree species caused by prolonged summer heat.
Leaf collection is crucial for maintaining public cleanliness and safety, preventing slips on pavements, and ensuring rainwater drainage is not obstructed by leaf accumulations. The operation will adapt to the needs of different areas, taking into account weather conditions, the intensity of leaf fall, and reports from inspection services.
Phased approach to leaf collection
Similar to previous campaigns, this initiative will be organised in two distinct phases to allocate human and material resources according to leaf fall intensity. The first phase will utilise 70% of resources until 26 January, coinciding with the peak leaf fall period. The second phase will run from March to mid-May, focusing on the collection of spring seeds and marcescent leaves, which remain on trees longer than those of other species.
This structured approach allows for enhanced service during peak cleaning needs while maintaining operational capacity throughout the season. The planning will remain flexible to respond to varying circumstances, such as heavy rainfall, frost, or strong winds, enabling teams to prioritise areas requiring urgent attention.
Increased mechanical support
The campaign will feature 604 mechanical devices, a 10% increase from last year, including 154 sweepers and equipment for blowing and vacuuming leaves. Of the sweepers, 51% are equipped with zero or eco environmental labels, while 33% of the mechanical devices are electric. These machines facilitate the mechanised cleaning of roads and large areas, as well as the removal of leaves from pavements and public spaces.
The dual mixed sweeping system will continue to use high-pressure water to displace leaves and other debris, minimising dust generation and reducing inconvenience for pedestrians. The campaign will operate three shifts a day, seven days a week, with planned interventions based on observed leaf accumulations in each area. A 48-hour operational notice will allow for resource organisation according to detected needs.
Community involvement and waste management
Community cooperation remains essential for identifying specific accumulations and reporting incidents. Residents can report issues via the 010 telephone service or the municipal app ‘Avisos Madrid’, enabling cleaning services to address areas in need.
The initiative will also extend to inter-block areas, which are privately owned public spaces with significant tree cover and gardens. Leaf collection in these areas will continue year-round, with increased support in autumn to meet heightened cleaning demands.
The Ayuntamiento will continue to process the collected leaves at the Valdemingómez Technology Park, transforming them into compost, a natural resource used to enhance soil and for urban gardening projects. During the previous 2025-2026 campaign, the city collected 3,971 tonnes of leaves, which were repurposed in this sustainable manner. The new campaign aims to maintain this model, turning street leaves into valuable resources for the city’s green spaces.
