Yard Waste

Please put out your yard waste by 7am. You should not exceed 10 bags. 

Curbside Collection

Yard waste is collected curbside on a specific schedule and should be set should be set out at curbside by 7:00 AM on your collection day, but not prior to 5:00 PM the day before scheduled collection. Empty containers should be removed from the sidewalk area within twelve hours after collection.  If you are unsure of your collection day, view the Trash and Recycling Route Schedule by Street and Day. Collection on holiday weeks will be picked up one day late after the holiday, with Friday’s collection on Saturday. Please note: city employees are forbidden to enter private property to pick up containers, including: driveways, cellars, garages or yards.

View a full Curbside Collection Schedule which includes pickups for yard waste, metal items, Christmas trees and more.

How to Prepare Your Yard Waste for Curbside Collection

Yard waste includes: Leaves, grass clippings and brush up to one inch (1”) in diameter (bundled and tied). No dirt allowed. Yard waste must be set out in paper leaf bags or in barrels. All bags and barrels must be less than 45 gallons and 45 pounds. There is a 10 barrel/bag maximum per pick up. Barrels must be labeled “yard waste” to avoid confusion with regular household waste. Yard waste barrel stickers are available at no cost at the Public Works Operations Facility at 72 Tremont Street. Yard waste barrels without stickers will not be picked up with other yard waste and cannot be picked up as trash.

Waste Bans

Yard waste cannot be placed in the trash due to the MassDEP Waste Bans. View the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs website for more information.

Yard Waste Drop Off

DPW Recycling Center -- 72 Tremont Street

CITY YARD DROP OFF HOURS – YARD WASTE & RECYCLING

  • Monday 7:30 am - 2:45 pm
  • Tuesday 7:30 am – 2:45 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am – 2:45 pm

City Yard is Closed for all drop-offs on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (until March 30, 2024)

DPW Administrative Office Hours are M-F 8:00 am – 3:30 pm 

Leaves, grass clippings, and brush up to one inch (1”) in diameter (bundled and tied) may be dropped off at the Recycling Center on Tremont Street. No dirt allowed. In order to drop off yard waste at the Recycling Center, you must have a Recycling Center sticker. To obtain a sticker, bring your car registration to the Resident Service Office at the Public Works Operations Facility. This sticker is free of charge.

Christmas Trees

During the first two weeks in January, Christmas trees are collected curbside or may be dropped off at the Recycling Center. Remove stand and all plastic bags, tinsel, twine, lights, ornaments, etc. Trees in plastic bags cannot be collected.

Compost Bins

Many residents use their yard waste leaves to make compost in their backyards.The City has an annual compost bin sale in the spring. Orders are typically taken in March and the bins and barrels are available for pickup on one designated date in the spring. A link to details and order forms will be posted to the Special Collections & Events page in the spring. If you would like to be added to a waitlist in the meantime please email us.