City of St. Louis Department of Streets Refuse Division

Yard Waste

Yard Waste-including grass, leaves, and limbs-is not trash anymore! To reduce waste in Missouri, state law has banned yard waste from landfills.

Yard waste can be easily recycled at home:

1. Recycle grass clippings by letting them lie on the lawn; they will decompose quickly and return valuable nutrients to the soil
2. Compost leaves, grass, and other organic yard waste
3. Mulch yard waste by spreading leaves or grass clippings around trees and in planting beds.

The City of St. Louis operates a weekly collection service for yard waste during the spring, summer, and fall months. Residents with alley Dumpsters should place yard waste in separate Dumpsters marked "Yard Waste Only." Residents with smaller roll-out carts receive a separate collection for yard waste each week. Residents may also bundle limbs in six foot lenghts and place them out for the monthly bulk pick up. The Refuse Division will accept one pick-up truck load of yard waste each month from residents at either the north or south transfer station.

Large Branches & Christmas Trees

Large branches over two inches in diameter should be bundled in six foot lengths and set out for the bulky item pick-up (Schedule). Christmas trees can be dropped off at Carondolet Park, Forest Park, or O'Fallon Park from December 26th through the third week of January or can be set out for the bulky item collection. Please remove all decorations, stands, nails, etc. Trees are recycled into mulch and mulch is available free to City residents to pick up at these parks.