Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste must meet the collection guidelines detailed below to be picked up by collection crews.
- Yard waste must be bagged or bundled. See how to prepare yard waste.
- Yard waste is collected on your garbage day, when in season. Look up my garbage day.
- Yard waste must be at placed your collection point by 6:00 a.m.
- Solid Waste & Recycling "Current News" will tell you when Yard Waste pickup begins and when it ends. Please check there or call us at 612-673-2917. This service can change due to weather conditions.
Why the Ban on Plastic Yard Waste Bags?
- State law, Minnesota Statute 115A.931(c), prohibits using conventional plastic bags for yard waste. This went into effect during our 2012 yard waste season.
- Conventional plastic bags increase the processing cost and results in lower quality compost.
Where can I purchase compostable bags?
- Most hardware and retail stores carry compostable plastic bags and Kraft paper lawn and leaf bags.
- When purchasing compostable plastic bags, look for the logo on the right. This logo ensures the compostable plastic bags meet proper standards for pick up of yard waste from your home. You will not find this logo on Kraft paper bags.
What are the alternatives to using compostable bags?
- Use your own reusable containers for unbagged yard waste.
- Drop off your yard waste at a private compost facility.
- Compost your yard waste on your property, or use a mulching lawn mower.
What kind of yard waste is acceptable?
- Containers must be approximately 33 gallons in size.
- Containers must be 26-32 inches high.
- Containers must have sturdy handles.
- Full containers must weigh less than 40 pounds.
- All brush and branches must be less than 3 feet long, and less than 3 inches in diameter. Brush and branches should be bundled with string or twine and shall not weigh more than 40 pounds.
Yard waste stickers, shown in the image on the right, are available to identify your reusable yard waste container. To request yard waste stickers, call Solid Waste and Recycling, 612-673-2917.
The Division of Solid Waste and Recycling is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen reusable containers.
Collection Time
Starts at 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on your collection day. You may notice that your yard waste is picked up at about the same time every week. Please understand that changes in weather conditions, crew assignment, and equipment problems can create your pickup to be earlier or later on your collection day. Yard waste must be out for pickup by 6:00 a.m.
Sorry, but we will not come back if your yard waste was not out on time. Yard waste bags can become a problem when left at your curb or alley line as they can easily get torn open. If you missed your yard waste collection, then put the bags/bundles back in your yard or garage, and put them out on your next yard waste collection day.
Holiday Schedule
If your collection day falls on or after a holiday, yard waste collection will be one day later than normal. See the Holiday Schedule for more information.
Report Illegal Dumping or Abuse of Yard Waste Service - Call 311
Yard Waste collection is a special service to our paying customers only. Taking or using another resident's collection point is illegal. City Ordinance 225.10 states in part: "No person shall leave, throw, or deposit, or use or permit any other person to leave, place, throw, or deposit, any substances or materials of any kind at a city solid waste collection point for city disposal when the substances or materials were generated at a location other than the residence."
If you see any illegal dumping, anywhere in the City of Minneapolis, please write down the license number, a description of the vehicle, person involved in the dumping and the item that was dumped. Report it by dialing 311 and Minneapolis 311 can assist you. If you wish, your call will remain anonymous.
Yard Waste Costs
Yard Waste collection is a special service to our customers only, and is included in your monthly fee. Abuse of this special service may result in additional costs to you, the taxpayer or utility bill payer.
To avoid additional costs, please follow all procedures for disposal of your yard waste. If you are not sure about what type of yard waste is acceptable or how to prepare it for collection, please call Solid Waste & Recycling at (612) 673-2917 and our staff will assist you.
What Happens To My Yard Waste?
The Solid Waste & Recycling Division has a contract with a vendor to accept and process the collected yard waste. The yard waste is then composted.
Composting? Learn more about composting here.
Last updated Apr 8, 2019
