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Yard Trimmings Collection
Cans, Carts and Compostable Bags at the Curb

Yard trimmings have been collected separately from trash in Lawrence since 1993. Since then, our community composting program has diverted over 90,000 tons of grass, leaves, and other lawn and garden trimmings. This, combined with residents' efforts to reduce yard waste at home by mulch mowing and composting, has saved our community money, conserved landfill space, and improved our soils. Citywide yard trimmings collection is on Monday mornings, March through mid December. Please set grass, leaves, and other small yard trimmings out by 6:00 a.m. in cans, carts or compostable bags

As of 2005, plastic bags are no longer allowed for containment of grass and leaves. The benefits of this ordinance are threefold.

Elimination of plastic bags for Monday yard waste collection will:

  • Increase collection efficiency
  • Increase worker safety (no boxcutters to slit open plastic, reduced time in traffic, improved lifting conditions)
  • Decrease plastic contamination of community compost

Sticker that is placed on non-conforming containers

These stickers will be placed on yard waste containers that do not conform with the the new ordinance.

Videos: Collecting yard trimmings at the curb

Before plastic bags were banned from use at the curb for yard waste, collection was inefficient and potentially dangerous. Crews had to lift heavy, awkward bags, rip each open and shake them out, then collect the spent bags for later landfill disposal. Now only cans, carts and compostable bags are used for yard trimmings collection, improving worker safety, collection efficiency, and producing cleaner compost.

Radio ads: Lawrence is getting smarter by the yard

The move from plastic bags to cans, carts and compostable bags for yard trimmings has required much public education. Click on the links below to hear radio ads regarding proper yard waste containers and yard waste reduction methods.


Yard Man with Correct Containers

Yard Trimmings Container Details

Cans

Give your trashcan double-duty! Fill the empty can with grass and leaves over the weekend, and use as your yard waste container for Monday collection. After Monday yard waste collection, use the can for your regular trash collection. Repeat.

Carts

No refuse containers should weigh more than 65 pounds each, unless it is a wheeled City cart. Wheeled carts may also be given double-duty as yard and trash container, just like a trash can. Rental of City carts is $2 per month and may be arranged by calling the Solid Waste Division at 832-3032.

Compostable Yard Waste Bags

Compostable yard waste bags are strong, double-ply paper bags with a "wet strength" meant specifically for yard trimmings. They are usually 30 gallons capacity and sold in packs of five, available at the following retailers:

  • Checker's Food Store
  • Cottin's Hardware and Rental
  • Dillon Stores
  • Earl May Nursery and Garden Center
  • Ernst & Son Hardware
  • Home Depot
  • Hy-Vee
  • Wal-Mart
  • Walgreen's
  • Westlake's Ace Hardware
  • Whelan's Contractor's Supply

Placing Woody debris at the curb

Small woody debris may be placed with Monday yard trimmings for composting. Please place in a preferred container (cans, carts or compostable bags), protruding no more than one foot above the container opening. Bundled woody debris too large for yard waste containers should be no larger than 18 inches in diameter, 5 feet in length, or 65 pounds in weight. Do NOT tie with wire.

Holiday Schedule

Citywide yard trimmings collection is on Monday mornings, March through mid December. Set your grass, leaves, and other small yard trimmings out by 6:00 a.m.. Separate collection of yard trimmings in 2007 begins on Monday, March 5th, and will occur every Monday through December 17th, weather permitting, except on the following Mondays:

  • Monday, May 28- Memorial Day
  • Monday, July 30- Student Move-Out Day
  • Monday, September 3- Labor Day

Grass and leaves set out for the week of the above "holiday" Mondays will be collected with regular trash and sent to the landfill.


What not to collect

Materials collected on Monday are composted and then used by City employees and Lawrence citizens. Please ensure your collected yard trimmings are not contaminated with inorganic debris (trash), pet feces, or an herbicide containing the active ingredient Clopyralid (clo-PEER-a-lid). Clopyralid is not like other herbicide ingredients in that it does not break down readily in compost. It can persist in finished compost and may damage certain garden plants if the contaminated compost is heavily applied. If using Clopyralid-containing products, please mulch-mow your clippings; do not set them out for Monday collection. For more information, please see our"Education is key to better compost..." page.

Waste Reduction

Reducing your yard waste is a great way to keep organic materials on your home soils, and save the money and hassle of bagging and dragging your materials to the curb. Please visit the Lawn Care section of our site for information on mulch mowing and backyard composting.

We also have compost bins with excellent instructional books available at special discounts to Lawrence residents. Visit our Compost Bins page for details.

Lawrence is Getting Smarter by the Yard!