Yard Waste Collection Information

City of Asheville sanitation crews began seasonal leaf collection on Monday, October 28. The City encourages the community to consider waiting as long as possible to set out leaves for collection, or alternatively to backyard compost. This will help make the storm debris removal process more efficient. Leaves will be collected on a bi-weekly schedule. When it is time to place leaves out for collection, remember to use either paper bags (no plastic) or containers marked as ‘yard waste’. Please do not place storm debris in yard waste containers. Storm debris will be collected by a contractor and does not have to be cut to any specific size. City crews are not collecting any limbs or yard waste piles at this time. For more information on storm debris removal, click here.

  • 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:
    • 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.

Use these yard waste containers: biodegradable paper yard waste bags, trash can labeled 'Brush/Leaves/Yard Waste", Leaf Burrito City-style or Tote form, or woven polypropylene yard waste bags. Do not use these containers for yard waste collection: plastic bags or any unlabeled and unapproved containers such as a wheelbarrow or milk crate.

  • 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:

Contact Information

Sanitation Department – (828) 259-5857 or sanitation@ashevillenc.gov