Update: Changes to Yard Waste Collection Schedules
City of Asheville sanitation crews will begin seasonal leaf collection on Monday, October 20th. Sanitation crews will collect brush trimmings and leaves on alternating yard waste collection weeks. Scheduled yard waste weeks will remain the same; however, Sanitation will pick up 1 material (either brush or leaves) during the residents’ scheduled week. Ex: “Mon/Tue” customers leaf collection begins the week of October 20th followed by brush the week of November 3rd. “Wed/Thurs” customers leaves begin the week of October 27th followed by brush the week of November 10th. This rotation between brush trimmings and leaf collection is necessary while brush disposal sites continue processing the large volume of vegetative debris from Tropical Storm Helene. Yard waste collection rotations end January 16th, 2026.
The City encourages the community to consider waiting as long as possible to set out leaves for collection, or alternatively to backyard compost.
Questions? Click here for FAQs about the leaf & brush collection schedule changes.
- Yard waste is collected on a bi-weekly schedule. Find your schedule here and sign up for the free app AVLcollects in the app store.
- Yard waste should be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of your collection week. It will be collected at some point during the week.
- The City DOES NOT COLLECT the following:
- Large volume brush piles and land clearing debris
- Brush and trimmings cut by contractors. Contractors must haul away.
- Grass clippings or garden fruit/vegetable/flower waste. Grass clippings should be left on the lawn, or composted with other waste material on-site.
- Material with rocks, trash, dirt, and other debris. No rootballs unless dirt is completely removed.
- Material in plastic bags.
How to Prepare Brush & Leaves for Collection
- LEAVES & SMALL YARD WASTE:
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- Place leaves, pine needles, pinecones, and other small yard waste in approved yard waste containers. As of August 1, 2023, plastic bags for brush and leaf collection are prohibited [Asheville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15 §38(h)].
- Approved containers include:
- Biodegradable paper yard waste bags, weighing no more than 25 lbs
- Rigid plastic container or woven polypropylene yard waste bag that is 10-32 gallons, weighing 50 lbs or less, does not collect rainwater, and is clearly labeled ‘brush/yard/leaf waste’
- Leaf Burrito City-Style or Tote form
- Non-approved containers include:
- Plastic bags
- Open containers where leaves can blow away or that collect rainwater
- Unlabeled or unapproved containers will not be collected.
- LARGER BRUSH:
- Shrubs, limbs, and larger brush should be neatly stacked loose at the curb.
- Brush and limbs, including bamboo, need to be cut into no greater than 4 foot lengths and 6 inch diameter.
- Do not place yard waste in the road travelway or block the sidewalk.
- Keep yard waste 5 feet away from other objects such as fences, walls, water meters, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and cars.
- Avoid placing brush under utility lines and tree limbs.
- Thorny trimmings must be in a separate pile.
Burning of Loose Leaves
The burning of leaves is not permitted in the City and violators risk a fine from the Asheville Fire Marshal’s office. Fines can range between $250 to $500 or more, and violators may even be arrested.
For more information on this, contact the Asheville Fire Marshal’s office at (828) 259-5641. If violators are caught burning leaves, the Sanitation Division can issue a $50 fine in addition to any fines from the Fire Marshal’s office.
Other Options for Disposing of Leaves
One of the easiest and quickest ways to dispose of loose leaves is to compost them. By running a mulching mower over the leaves, the leaves will compost directly into the lawn. Another way to compost leaves is by raking them into a compost pile. When spring arrives the leaves will have decomposed and will be a great soil additive for gardening. Get more info on leaf composting here, or general composting options.
The Buncombe County Landfill will also accept leaves for a fee. Call (828) 250-5462 for more information.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Asheville residents can place Christmas trees at the curb for regular brush collection. Please remember to remove lights, ornaments, and stands from your tree.
Christmas trees can be dropped off (for a potential fee) for recycling at the following locations:
- Buncombe County Landfill at 85 Panther Branch Road
- Private Yard Waste Facility
Contact Information
Sanitation Department – (828) 259-5857 or sanitation@ashevillenc.gov