Posted on December 01, 2023
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Make a list and check it twice…to get your Compost It! bags and stickers!
While regular curbside yard waste collection has ended for the season, your yard waste has one more chance to be collected this winter.
The Compost It! program’s winter collection will occur Jan. 1-12, 2024, on your collection day. As a reminder, collection is delayed by one day the week of New Year’s Day due to the holiday.
Regular Yard Waste Collection
If your leaves are still fa-la-la-ing, they can be collected curbside during winter collection. The program also accepts small twigs and branches, lawn clippings, and any garden vegetation. To have your yard waste collected, be sure to tag it, bag it, or wheel it:
- Tag it: Brush bundles and store-brand bags require a green Compost It! sticker for collection. Brush bundles can be no larger than 4 feet long by 18 inches in diameter.
- Bag it: Put loose yard waste such as lawn clippings, leaves, and garden vegetation in Compost It! bags or store-brand bags with a green Compost It! sticker. Compost It! bags and stickers are sold at many local retailers.
- Wheel it: If you’ve enrolled in the Compost It! cart service, toss everything in your cart and take it to the curb on your normal collection day.
Live Christmas Tree Collection
A live Christmas tree is beautiful for the season, but eventually you’re left with a dried-out heap. Fortunately, your live tree can also be collected curbside during winter collection!
Just set your tree out before 6 AM on your regular collection day with one Compost It! sticker attached. When you set it at the curb, the sticker is the only decoration your tree can have. All ornaments, lights, and wires need to be removed. Wreaths and garlands are not accepted.
If you find yourself with yard waste after winter collection ends, year-round disposal is available at Metro Park East Landfill or Metro Park West Landfill, where we turn it into Grow Gold Compost.
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.