Yard Waste Includes
Yard waste consists of excess leaves, grass, tree and shrubbery trimmings and other organic material removed in general maintenance of property by the homeowner. Yard waste does not consist of construction debris, demolition debris, dirt, brick, block, sod, mud, pavement or any other material that could be defined as household waste or non-compost material.

Prepare Yard Waste
In order for yard waste to be collected it must be prepared as follows:

• Clear plastic bags or any other style bag that is not clear must be left open. Bags over 50 pounds will be left on the curbside.
• Loose piles consisting of leaves, grass (of any kind) or organic matter will not be serviced.
• Manageable piles of limbs or brush will be collected. This doesn't include Pampas Grass type material; this material must be bagged for retrieval. Tree limbs will be collected only if they meet the following specifications:
  • During heavy leaf generating months (November 1 – January 15) Republic Services will make every effort to collect bagged leaves up to a maximum of 20 bags.
  • No larger than 5 inches in diameter.
  • No longer than 5 feet in length.
  • Stacked in piles that do not exceed 4 feet high x 5 feet long x 4 feet wide.

Placement Guidelines

• Do not place yard debris on the sidewalk.
• Yard waste should only be placed on the curb of the house that generated the yard waste.

Non-Compliant
Yard waste that does not meet the above criteria will be tagged as non-compliant and will not be picked up. If the resident makes the pile conform, it will be collected on the next regularly scheduled pick-up day. However, you may not leave your yard waste at the curb until the next pick-up date.

Leaf Collection
The Town of Cornelius provides street-side leaf collection services from November 1 through February 29. Residents must place loose leaves as close to the curb as possible, but must not block storm drains or sidewalks. The piles should include leaves only, not sticks or other yard debris.