Yard Waste

Collection Season

Weekly yard waste collection begins in mid-March and ends November 30. Yard waste will be collected for two weeks at the beginning of the yard waste collection season without a sticker.  For 2023, a sticker will not be required for yard waste only during the weeks of March 20 and March 27 on your regular collection date.  The remainder of the season, through November 30, shall require a disposal sticker.

Where to Buy Stickers

Refuse stickers are available for purchase at several local outlets or by mail. View a current list of vendors and prices.

Preparing Your Yard Waste

Residents should place a refuse sticker on each generic yard waste bag or 32-gallon can and put bag/can at the curb on their regular collection date. Yard waste is collected separately from regular refuse and recycling. Cans must be clearly labeled yard waste on the front, and a refuse/yard waste sticker should be attached to the handle. Plastic bags cannot be used. Maximum capacity is 50 pounds per yard waste bag or container. Yard waste carts with a 65-gallon capacity are also available to rent for a fee through Waste Management. Refuse may not be mixed with yard waste.

What Material Is Yard Waste?

Yard waste is grass clippings; leaves; branches and brush; other yard and garden trimmings; vines, garden plants and flowers; weeds; tree droppings (pine cones and crab apples); and other similar organic waste materials.  Not included:  Sod and greenery from wreaths and garlands is not yard waste and should be disposed of as refuse.

Organic Composting with Yard Waste

You can mix select food scraps in your yard waste cart, yard waste can, or your brown Kraft bag.  Food scraps should be placed directly within the yard waste cart, can, or Kraft bag and bags should not be used inside the container, including those labeled compostable.  

Acceptable food scrap items that may be added to your yard waste cart, yard waste can, or brown Kraft bag include: Fruits & vegetables including unpainted holiday pumpkins; breads, grains, pasta & cereal; dairy & eggs including egg shells, but no liquids; coffee grounds, filters & teabags.

Unacceptable items: No meat, poultry or seafood; no bones or shells; no fats, grease or oil; no liquids; no pet waste; no packaging; no paper plates or any other service ware (even if marked compostable); no plastics, styrofoam, glass, metal, or diapers.

Brush

Bundles of brush or branches no longer than 4 feet in length, 2 feet in diameter, and weighing no more than 50 pounds securely tied with biodegradable rope, cord, twine, or string can be placed out as yard waste. A refuse/yard waste sticker must be attached to each bundle. Residents may also dispose of brush through the Brush Collection Program; no stickers are required since the cost is already included on residents’ utility bill.

 Leaf Collection

In addition to the city’s fall Leaf Collection Program, residents will be permitted to place only leaves in yard waste bags on their scheduled collection dates between December 1 and December 31; these bags will not require a disposal sticker during this time frame.