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The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) collects yard waste from residential property.

Yard waste includes:

  • Leaves
  • Small twigs and branches
  • Grass clippings
  • Hay bales

DSNY won’t pick up any yard waste produced by a landscaper, contractor, or other professional. If you hired someone to remove, rake, or pick up the waste, they must dispose of it. Learn more on the Landscaper Waste Requirements page.

Buildings with Curbside Composting

If you participate in the Curbside Composting program, you may place your leaves and other yard waste in a labeled bin or bag separate from trash.

If you previously received compost collection, you can use the brown bin you already have.

If you don't have a brown bin, you can use a bin less than 55 gallons and label it with a Composting Bin Decal. Use the Sanitation Material Request Form to order a free decal.

You can also:

  • Put it in a paper lawn and leaf bag
  • Tie it into bundles 2 feet by 4 feet or smaller

There is no limit to the number of leaves or amount of clippings that can be put out for collection if they were produced by residents and not landscapers.

Buildings Without Curbside Composting

If you don’t participate in the Curbside Composting program, you may place your leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs less than 1/2 inch in diameter in a black trash bag or unlined trash can and place curbside for collection on your trash day.

There is no limit to the number of leaves or amount of clippings that can be put out for collection if they were produced by residents and not landscapers.

Instead of throwing out leaves with your trash, you can also:

You can use paper lawn and leaf bags to dispose of your leaves and yard waste. They are generally available from hardware and home improvement stores, as well as many larger supermarkets.

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