Over the past few weeks, crews have already removed hundreds of tonnes of leaves from across the city. Extra resources are being diverted from other cleansing work to help keep drains clear and footpaths safe.
A new weapon in the fight against leaf fall
This year, the council has added a new piece of kit to its fleet — a commercial leaf‑sucking and mulching machine. Mounted on a trailer behind a pick‑up, the machine vacuums up large piles of leaves and shreds them into mulch, which is then blown into the lorry cage for disposal.
Officials say the new equipment will allow teams to cover more ground in less time, particularly in tree‑lined streets and parks where leaf fall can quickly become hazardous. By shredding the leaves as they are collected, the machine also reduces the volume of waste, making transport and disposal more efficient.
Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:
“We’re working together to tackle the problem and removing leaves as quickly as possible. The new machine will help us lift even more leaves quickly and efficiently, but it only takes a couple of days of wind and rain to see a further build‑up, particularly in areas with lots of trees.”
Residents urged to report hotspots
Despite the extra resources, the council says it cannot be everywhere at once. Residents who spot large amounts of leaves causing problems on roads or footpaths are being urged to contact the cleansing team by email at evh.reception@swansea.gov.uk.
What happens to all the gathered leaves ? I have an allotment in Sketty & would welcome extra leaves for my compost heap.