Leaves, Grass & Brush Collection

Learn how to prepare yard waste for seasonal collection by City crews.

Quick Links:

April 15 to October 15 Guidelines
October 15 to December 15 Guidelines
December 15 to March 31 Guidelines
Brush Guidelines
Compost Guidelines

April 15 to October 15: Yard Waste Bag Season

From mid-April to mid-October, residents should use brown yard waste bags (available at area stores) for all yard waste, except brush.

  • Bags should be placed on your tree lawn by 7:30 am on the same day as your scheduled refuse collection. Please don't place bags on your tree lawn earlier than your scheduled refuse collection day. 
  • The City will collect a maximum of ten bags per pick-up. 
  • There is a 40-pound weight limit per bag.

During this season, two separate crews collect rubbish and yard waste. The EPA prohibits collection of yard waste with rubbish.

Yard Waste Bag Guidelines

The City sends yard waste bags to a facility for composting. Only easily composted organic materials belong in your yard-waste bag.

Bags should contain only the following:

  • Leaves
  • Grass clippings
  • Weeds and cuttings from leafy plants
  • Other organic leafy waste

Bags should never contain:

  • Gardening-related plastic
  • Other non-organic materials
  • Dog waste in plastic bags
  • Brush (see below)
  • Dirt (see below)

The City will not collect yard waste bags contaminated with non-organic materials. Crews will place stickers reading "Unable to Pick Up" on contaminated bags. Residents may remove the contamination and place the bag out for delivery the following week. 

Please also note:

  • Brush also does not belong in yard-waste bags. Brush (tree branches and cuttings from large shrubs) is recycled separately from yard-waste bags and should be placed directly on your tree lawn. See below for more information.

  • Dirt can also cause problems with yard-waste bags due to its weight, especially the weight of our Northeast Ohio clay soil. Please be mindful of the 40 pound weight limit per bag. Bags exceeding this limit will not be collected.

View a video about what belongs in yard-waste bags (and what doesn’t).

Note: At no time may leaves, grass, rubbish or brush be placed on center strips, park areas or in the street.

Brush Guidelines

Tree limbs, woody cuttings from mature shrubs, and large branches are all considered brush. The City collects brush from tree lawns every two weeks, except during Leaf Collection Season (see below).

  • Cut brush/tree trimmings into piles no larger than 4 feet long and 2 feet wide and weighing no more than 40 pounds.
  • Neatly stack brush piles parallel and close to the curb, away from trees, poles, signs and fire hydrants. No brush may be placed on City green spaces.
  • Tie bundles with twine if possible. This makes manual pick-up easier and reduces risk of property damage from collection equipment.
  • Only logs less than 6 inches wide and under 18 inches long are picked up.

October 15 to December 15: Leaf Collection Season

Collection teams will pass through the entire City as often as possible, about every two weeks, depending upon the volume of leaves on the ground, weather and equipment. Leaf collection is the top priority at this time of year. We hope to remove all leaves prior to snow plowing season.

The City appreciates your efforts to follow these important leaf-collection guidelines:

  • No need to use yard waste bags. Just rake leaves to the tree lawn, away from trees, hydrants and street signs. 
  • Please don't mix brush in with leaves; also note that brush collection is on hold until mid-December so we can focus on leaf collection.
  • Be a good neighbor! Don't rake leaves into the street. This is dangerous for motorists and also results in more leaves being swept into storm sewers during heavy rainfall.

December 15 to March 31

Leaf collection typically ends by mid-to-late December. Brush collection is maintained as weather permits. Crews are busy with snow removal between December and March. 

Compost Piles

Compost piles require a one-time, free compost permit (PDF). Email Public Works or call 216-491-1490 for more information.