Yard Waste

Stickers are not required for bundled brush. All brush must be tied into bundles with biodegradable twine or string in piles not exceeding five feet in length, two feet in diameter and 45 pounds. Branches thicker than 2 inches in diameter will not be collected.

Christmas Trees will be collected free of charge December 26 through January 15 from all residential households. Stickers are not required for Christmas trees during this period.

All decorations, stands, etc. must be removed from trees in order to be collected. Do not place trees in plastic bags. Trees in plastic bags will not be collected. After January 15, each Christmas Tree will require one visibly affixed refuse sticker to be collected.

Composting is nature's way of recycling. Thousands of micro-organisms naturally found in soil work to decompose leaves, grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and various other organic materials. 

By providing these micro-organisms with the right combination of food, water, and oxygen, you can produce a nutrient-rich fertilizer (commonly called humus) for use in your own yard.

Why Compost?

Composting is a great way to reduce waste! Did you know that as much as 30% of the garbage that we throw away can be composted? Reducing waste decreases our dependence on landfills and is sound environmental management for the entire community.

In Elgin, composting and grasscycling can also help to save you money by eliminating the need to purchase paper yard waste bags, prepaid refuse stickers, and lawn fertilizer! Furthermore, think of all of the time and effort saved by not having to fill those yard waste bags for pick-up!

For more information and resources on how to compost, visit SmartGardening.com.

Free bagged leaf collection begins October 1 and the City's on-street collection program in designated areas will begin on Monday, October 31. Both leaf collection programs run through the first week of December. These programs help residents remove seasonal yard waste, as well as lessen the potential for flooding from excess leaves left in the street that can block storm sewer drains.

On-Street Leaf Collection

Beginning Monday, October 31, weather permitting, the City of Elgin will collect leaves raked out into the street in designated areas. Leaves should be raked along the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the designated area's special collection day, shown on map below. Leaves placed in the street after the crews have passed will not be collected until the next scheduled date. Note: The on-street collection day may differ from bagged leaf collection day.

Please do not mix trash, branches or other yard waste with leaf piles. Avoid parking on the street on scheduled leaf collection days; leaf piles blocked by cars will not be collected.

Residents in the on-street collection areas may also place leaves in yard waste bags for free collection by Waste Management on regular garbage collection days.



Please remember that weather and other delays may affect the published schedule. In the event of snow, all on-street leaf collection will cease as snow and ice control operations take priority. Therefore, residents are encouraged to bag leaves for weekly collection by Waste Management whenever inclement weather is forecast.

For more information, visit the city's website or call Elgin 311. For updates throughout the leaf collection season, follow the city of Elgin on Facebook and Twitter.

Sod and Mulch cannot be disposed of in the brown paper yard waste bags.

Sod can be placed in individual garbage bags not to exceed 50 pounds per bag. Any bags of sod or mulch not placed within the garbage cart (with the lid closed), must be placed in garbage bags curbside with a refuse sticker attached to each bag for collection.

The reason being, in many cases this type of material is contaminated with stones, and other landscaping products that does not process well, and could cause damage to the equipment used to break down the materials.