The City is reminding residents of the yard waste collection rules that went into effect last year to help keep neighborhoods clean, safe, and free of blocked storm drains.

What to do: 

1.    Put your fall yard waste, including leaves, in your 95-gallon gray yard waste cart(s). 

2.    Bag additional leaves using biodegradable paper yard waste bags and/or bundle sticks with natural twine. 
      • Up to 10 bags/bundles will be collected from the curb weekly year-round. 
      • From November 1 to February, crews will collect up to 15 biodegradable paper bags/bundles of yard waste from the curb.

3.    Leave Your Leaves where they fall. Leaves provide important habitats for many different species. 

4.    Compost or mulch your leaves. 

The City’s first priority is to educate residents on how to properly prepare leaves and other yard waste for collection. This education first approach has been successful, with most residents adapting to the new requirements.

When a resident is found in violation of the yard waste collection policy, the City will issue a warning, giving 14 days to properly prepare the leaves. During this 14 day period, no leaves or new piles may be placed on the curb, in the street, or in the right-of-way. When crews return after two weeks, if any leaves are present – whether the original pile or a new one – a $75 fine will be issued. If the leaves are still present after an additional two weeks, this is considered a nuisance and the fine will increase to $500.

Residents should use their City-approved gray cart for yard waste/leaves. To purchase an optional second gray cart for $65, please call the Contact Center at 336-373-2489. Once the gray cart(s) are full, place up to 15 biodegradable paper bags along the curb line. Pick up service is weekly through February. Afterwards, weekly service will continue, returning to the standard 10 biodegradable bag limit.

For more information about the new leaf collection rules, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/yardwaste.

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