Yard Waste

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During residential yard waste season, yard waste is collected every week on the same day as your garbage at no additional charge. Yard waste includes garden waste, grass clippings, leaves, weeds, wood chips, twigs and branches.

Last week of yard waste collection Nov. 25-30

The last week for yard waste collection is the week of Nov. 25. If there is a significant snowfall before then, yard waste collection will end at that time. If this occurs, updates will be posted on this page.

Note: Crews will not be collecting yard waste, garbage, organics or recycling on Thursday, Nov. 28 due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Collection for Thursday and Friday households will be delayed by one day.

If you would like to receive email updates about yard waste collection, click on the button below.

Yard waste collection and drop-off guidelines

Yard waste must be set out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection, especially during peak yard waste season in October and November.

It is illegal to throw yard waste in the garbage. Dirt and sod are not accepted.

Set yard waste out for collection in one of these ways:

Use a reusable container. Containers must be 32-38 gallons in size and 26-32 inches high, with sturdy handles. Yard waste will not be collected from buckets, pails, collapsible containers, or containers with wheels. Material can be left unbagged in the container.
Use certified compostable bags, brown paper Kraft lawn bags or brown paper grocery bags. Regular plastic bags are not accepted or allowed by state law.
Branches must be less than 4 inches in diameter and less than 4 feet long. Tie branches into bundles or put in a bag.

Note: Each bag or bundle should weigh no more than 40 pounds. The city provides yard waste stickers to mark your reusable containers. These can be picked up at city hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., or the Municipal Service Center, 7305 Oxford St., or by contacting public works by email or calling 952.924.2562.

Yard waste drop-off option

Residents may deliver yard waste from their homes to the city's brush site, from April – November, at no charge. Visit the brush drop-off page for location, dates and hours that yard waste may be dropped off.

How to report a missed pickup

Consider mulching

Reduce the amount of yard waste you set out this season by mulching your lawn clippings. Mulching recycles grass clippings and leaves by breaking them down into very small pieces that do not need to be bagged. Mulched grass clippings and leaves eventually break down and provide nutrients to your lawn, which reduces your need for fertilizer.

Visit the University of Minnesota Extension's website to learn more.

Year-round options for yard waste

Contacts

Waste Container Systems
612.405.9579
SLP@wastecontainersystems.com

Public works
Municipal Service Center
7305 Oxford St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
952.924.2562
recycling@stlouisparkmn.gov

FAQs

What can I do with large branches that fall in my yard after a storm?

Branches, brush or logs greater than 4 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter are too big for residential curbside collection. Bring them to the city’s brush drop-off site.

Learn more about when the site is open, what items are accepted and what items are not accepted by visiting the brush drop-off site page.
Does yard waste collection include wood chips?

The city’s residential yard waste hauler will collect wood chips, along with yard waste, on your regular collection day. The wood chips must be free of dirt, rocks and other materials. Cocoa beans, dyed/colored and flavored chips (used for barbecues) are also acceptable. Yard waste bags or containers must not weigh over 40 pounds each when filled.
Does the emerald ash borer affect my yard waste collection?

The emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in several Minnesota cities. To help slow the spread of EAB, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has placed a quarantine on disposal of ash tree debris outside of Hennepin County and other Minnesota counties. This includes ash logs and lumber, ash tree waste, ash chips and mulch and all hardwood firewood.

The city’s residential yard waste hauler will collect ash tree debris and will compost it in compliance with the quarantine. Your yard waste will continue to be collected on your scheduled collection day.

For more information about the quarantine, visit the MDA website, or call the state’s Arrest the Pest hotline at 888.545.6684 (voicemail) or email arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.

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