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TextYard Waste
According to Chapter 109.1 of the county code, residential yard waste is defined as the organic fraction of municipal solid waste that consists of grass clippings, leaves, and brush (i.e., branches, twigs) arising from general landscape maintenance. Yard waste does not include any materials arising from tree removal, land clearing, or development activities.
Recycling yard waste is important because it reduces the amount of material destined for disposal. In an average year, over 100,000 tons of yard waste is recycled in Fairfax County. In addition, the byproducts of yard waste recycling, namely compost and mulch, provide soil-improving properties to lawns and gardens.
County Requirements
Trash and recycling collection companies must pick up yard waste at the
curb all year long. From March 1 – Dec. 24, yard waste must be collected
separately from trash.
- March 1 – Dec. 24: leaves and grass are collected and composted; brush is collected and shred into mulch.
- Dec. 25 – Feb. 28: leaves, grass and brush collected during these dates is disposed of with trash. This is because quantities are low. (Christmas trees are an exception and are collected during the first two weeks of January.)
Collection companies do not collect debris from tree removal or land clearing activities as part of normal waste disposal. If you set out lumber with brush it will not be collected. (See ‘Rubbish’ in the phone directory to find a hauler.)
For guidelines on how to prepare grass, leaves and brush, see Managing Yard Waste.
See also:
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