Yard Waste, Leaves, Food Scraps & Organics

Yard waste, food scraps and organic materials are collected at the curb from the first full week of April through the second full week of December.

You can use containers no larger than 35 gallons in size or biodegradable paper bags. Each container or biodegradable bag must weigh no more than 50 pounds and must have 1 yard waste/organics/garbage sticker attached in order to be collected. All of the types of items below use the same type of sticker. See the list of locations where you can purchase stickers.

If containers are not feasible for yard waste, place brush and tree trimmings in stacks no longer than 4 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter. Stacks do not need to be bundled with twine, but each stack must have 1 garbage/yard waste sticker attached. Each stack must weigh less than 50 pounds.

Reminder: It is illegal to pile, blow or rake leaves onto the streets. Doing so can clog storm sewers, preventing them from working properly during a storm and possibly leading to flooding.

Items that can be included with your yard waste/organics collection:

Plants

  • Floral trimmings
  • Tree trimmings
  • Leaves
  • Grass
  • Brush
  • Weeds

Foods

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Meat
  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Shellfish
  • Bones
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Pasta
  • Bread
  • Baked goods
  • Grains
  • Cheese
  • Eggshells

Other Compostable Items

  • Napkins
  • Paper towels
  • Paper plates
  • Paper milk cartons
  • Tea bags
  • Coffee grounds/filters

Do Not Include

  • Grease
  • Cooking oil
  • Stickers on produce
  • Any sort of plastic
  • Pizza boxes
  • Polystyrene
  • Bottles
  • Cans
  • Aluminum foil
  • Liquids
  • Hazardous waste
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Rags
  • Wooden tools
  • Diapers or pet litter.

If you have questions about what you can/can’t include with your yard waste, contact LRS at 773-685-8811.