Yard waste like grass clippings, leaves, and garden vegetation are not allowed in your regular garbage, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to dispose of it in a safe, smart way! We offer a few different disposal options.
Curbside Disposal
In participating communities, the Compost It! yard waste season runs the first week of April until the last week of November, plus two weeks after Christmas.
During this time, residents in participating communities can dispose of yard and garden waste at the curb using bags, stickers, or carts. Learn about each of these options on our Curbside Disposal webpage.
Cities participating in the Compost It! program include Altoona, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines*, Grimes, Johnston, Mitchellville, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Runnells, Urbandale, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.
*Yard waste is picked up year-round in the city of Des Moines.
Year-Round Disposal
Yard waste is accepted year-round at our Metro Compost Center, located at Metro Park East Landfill, as well as Metro Park West Landfill.
Yard waste brought in Compost It! bags, or with appropriate Compost It! stickers, will not pay a disposal fee.
Guidelines
Wondering what’s accepted? The Compost It! program accepts small twigs and branches, leaves and lawn clippings, as well as any garden vegetation. Just avoid dirt, sod, tree stumps, mulch, rocks, and food. Visit our Recycling and Disposal Guide for more information.