Fallen leaves can cause air pollution

Employees of the Beijing Environment Sanitation Engineering Group have begun their annual assignment of sweeping up leaves that have fallen from trees around the city's streets, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Each autumn, workers spend one month clearing the streets of fallen leaves, which the sanitation group allege contribute to the air pollution.

Some residents oppose the cleanups on that basis that the golden leaves littering the streets make for a picturesque scene.

At certain tourist spots, like the historic Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and its surrounding streets, the fallen leaves are allowed to remain.