Free mulch is available on a seasonal basis.

Yard waste recycling is important for Fairfax County's environment because it reduces the amount of material destined for disposal while providing soil-improving properties to lawns and gardens. In an average year, over 100,000 tons of yard waste is recycled in Fairfax County.

Yard waste recycling is conducted for two types of materials:

• Leaves and grass from regular household lawn and garden care.
• Brush, which includes branches and twigs. Brush does not include waste wood or lumber from decks, fences, etc. Brush does not include stumps or land clearing debris.

All permitted solid waste collection companies are required to collect yard waste separately from trash. Prices and services vary among collectors. For detailed information, contact your collector if you have private service or view the county customer information section if your waste is collected by Fairfax County.

Helpful Hint:To learn how you can recycle grass, leaves and brush in your own yard, see our composting page.

LEAVES AND GRASS

• Leaves and grass are collected at the curb all year long. From March 1 to Dec. 24, the materials are recycled into compost at a privately-owned facility. From Dec. 25 to Feb. 28, since customers usually set out very limited quantities of grass and leaves, they are disposed of rather than recycled.
• You can easily recycle leaves and grass at your home. It can be as simple as using a mulching lawn mower. You can also generate your own compost. Both of these methods improve soils and the environment by adding nutrients to the soil and preventing pollution. Go to our composting page to learn more about how easy it is to save yourself time, money, and effort while helping your garden and our environment.

BRUSH

• Brush, including branches and twigs, is collected at the curb all year long. From March 1 to Dec. 24, it is collected separately and ground into mulch.  From Dec. 25 to Feb. 28, brush is collected with trash and is not recycled.  This is due to the small amount of brush generated at that time. (NOTE:  Christmas trees are an exception to this rule and are collected during the first two weeks of January.)  Material that is set out for collection must be small enough to fit into a truck and must be limited in weight so that it can be safely lifted into a truck.
• Brush collected for recycling is sent to one of the county's two mulching facilities. These are located at the I-66 Transfer Station Complex on West Ox Road and the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton. The materials are chipped in industrial chippers and stored for future use. Some of the mulch is sent to the Park Authority for landscaping at county parks.

Free mulch is available on a seasonal basis.  The only requirement is that you have to haul it away yourself. Call the Mulch Information Line at 703-324-5995, TTY 711 for the latest updates.

Trash and recycling collection companies do not collect debris (brush, woody materials, stumps, leaves or grass) from tree removal or land clearing activities as part of normal waste disposal. It is generally the responsibility of the resident to arrange for the removal of such debris separately. You can look in the phone directory under 'Rubbish' to find a hauler.  Also, remember that waste wood or lumber (such as from a fence or deck) is not brush and will not be collected if set out with brush.

How to Set Out Yard Waste and Brush

For details about how to set out your yard waste and brush, contact your collector if you have private service or view the county customer information section if you are in a sanitary district.

LEAVES AND GRASS

• If you can't use a mulching mower or compost at home, then the best way to recycle leaves and grass is to place them at the curb in a reusable container or a brown paper yard waste bag (also known as a Kraft bag). Both of these items are readily available in local stores. These collection methods are preferred because they do not add contaminants to the leaves and grass when composted.
• Clear plastic bags should be used as a last option only because they cause significant processing problems at the composting facility. They are very difficult to remove during all phases of the composting process. Never use dark plastic bags.  Yard waste in dark bags will likely be treated as trash and not recycled.

BRUSH

• Brush should be set out much like leaves and grass. Reusable containers and brown paper bags are the best methods to collect brush at the curb for recycling. Small piles of brush may also be tied into bundles with twine.
• Trash and recycling collection companies generally do not collect debris (brush, woody materials, stumps, leaves or grass) from tree removal or land clearing activities. It is the responsibility of the resident to arrange for the removal of such debris. You can look in the phone directory under 'Rubbish' to find a hauler. Also, remember that waste wood or lumber (such as from a fence or deck) is not brush and will not be collected if set out with brush.

Self-hauling

You may use your own vehicle or hire someone to take your yard waste or brush to the I-66 Transfer Station Complex or the I-95 Landfill Complex, and from there it will be sent for recycling. The Citizens' Recycling and Disposal Facilities charge a nominal fee to recycle yard waste and brush. For more information about managing yard waste, call the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program at 703-802-3322, TTY 711.