Yard Waste Collection

The City of Naperville's weekly yard waste collection program resumes March 18, 2024.

Landscape waste must be placed in paper yard waste bags or clearly labeled cans or carts. Bundled small branches will also be picked up. A yard waste sticker must be attached to each bag, container or bundle placed at the curb for collection, which takes place on your regular garbage and recycling collection day. State law prohibits grass clippings, leaves, garden waste and branches from being placed in landfills.

Questions or concerns regarding yard waste collection, or a missed pick-up, should be directed to Groot Industries at (630) 892-9294, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Yard Waste Stickers

The 2024 cost for Groot yard waste stickers is $2.75 each. Stickers may be purchased from the Finance Department at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., as well as from the businesses listed below.  

How to Participate in Curbside Collection

Place grass, weeds, small branches, twigs and leaves in 32-gallon paper yard waste bags or a clearly labeled (Yard Waste Only) 32-gallon can. Alternatively, branches less than 3 inches in diameter may be tied in bundles that measure up to 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. Secure each bundle with biodegradable twine. Bags and bundles have a 60-pound weight limit. A yard waste sticker must be attached to each bag, container or bundle placed at the curb for collection. 

Yard waste pickup takes place on your regular garbage and recycling collection day.

The City provides an annual free curbside brush collection starting in mid-May for branches and tree trimmings.

Yard waste stickers cost $2.75 each. Stickers may be purchased from the Finance Department at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., as well as from the following businesses:

• Buikema's Ace Hardware
  • 963 W. 75th St., 1030 Washington St. and 5035 Ace Lane
• Caputo's Fresh Market, 3115  W. 111th St.
• Casey's Foods, 134 W. Gartner Road
• Convenient Food Mart, 501 W. 87th St.
• Douglas Ace Hardware, 1212 S. Naper Blvd.
• Jewel-Osco
  • 1759 W. Ogden Ave., 127 E. Ogden Ave., 1227 Naper Blvd., 2855 W. 95th St., 1157 N. Eola Rd.(Aurora), 1200 Boughton Rd. (Bolingbrook)
• Meijer, 808 N. Route 59 (Aurora), 225 Weber Rd. (Bolingbrook)
• Menards, 715 Fort Hill Drive
• Corner Pantry
  • 1801 Wehrli Road
• Mariano's
• 1300 S. Naper Blvd.

Please note, certain retailers may have additional service fees. For more information, please contact specific retailers directly.  

Free Yard Waste Collection Program

From Nov. 4 through Dec. 13, 2024, the City offers a free bagged yard waste collection program. During this time, homeowners may dispose of yard waste in 32-gallon paper yard waste bags or clearly labeled cans (Yard Waste Only) or carts, free of charge, each week on their regular garbage and recycling collection day. Branches and other yard waste that are tied into bundles require a sticker at all times.

Prior to Nov. 4, a yard waste sticker is required on all bundled or bagged leaves and yard waste placed out for collection.

Yard Waste Carts/Organics Program

Residents with greater yard waste needs and/or an interest in recycling organics such as food scraps can choose between two yard waste cart sizes. Instead of purchasing paper yard waste bags and stickers, residents may rent a 65-gallon cart that holds approximately 3 bags a week, or a 95-gallon cart that holds approximately 4 bags a week. A 65-gallon cart is $194.25/year and a 95-gallon cart is $236.25/year.

Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Food scraps and yard waste currently make up 20 to 30 percent of what we throw away and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Residents with yard waste carts can compost food scraps and regular yard waste together in one container. Materials accepted include standard yard waste and compostable food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, pastas, breads, crackers, meat products and/or bones, and cereals. Food scraps are not permitted in paper yard waste bags. To order a cart, call Groot Industries at (630) 892-9294.

Diverting food scraps such as vegetables, fruits and grain products through this program can significantly change the waste stream in Naperville.

Pilot Organics Composting Drop-Off Program for Residents 

The City has partnered with Groot Industries to expand the City’s composting program by adding two residential drop-off locations:

• CNG Station at 1720 Jefferson Ave.
• The City-owned parking lot at 91st Street and Wolf’s Crossing Road

Each location has 20 carts for residents to drop off accepted compost materials. Accepted materials include compostable food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, pastas, breads, crackers, meat products and/or bones, and cereals. Yard waste is not being accepted at this time.

View The Drop-Off Location Site Map

Important Program Details:

• Carts will be available to all Naperville residents 24/7 and should not, under any circumstance, be removed from the drop-off site. 
• Residents must use their own means to transport materials to the drop-off site.
• Only accepted materials should be placed in the carts, and food waste must be free from packaging and produce stickers. 
• Yard waste is not being accepted at this time. Please do not leave yard waste materials in or outside the bins at either of the drop-off sites.
• Groot will regularly empty the carts and manage the disposal of the material.
• The pilot program will run through December 13 and data will be used to reevaluate its continuance in 2025.
• The yardwaste cart program is an annual program and residents will not be given a refund at this point in the year for their cart if they want to cancel. 

Repurposing Your Yard Waste

Repurposing yard waste for landscaping is good for the environment, can provide a more natural appearance in your landscape and can save you time and money.

Here are some quick suggestions for repurposing yard waste from the Conservation Foundation:

• Let fallen leaves (and fallen twigs) remain. Leaves are variable in texture and can be collected and shredded at home. Shredding speeds decomposition and reduces leaves blowing away. Mix shredded leaves into the soil in the fall and allow to break down naturally during the winter for improved soil quality. Leaves also provide food, nesting material, and cover for several types of wildlife, including birds and butterflies.
• Compost your leaves. Chop them up first to speed up decomposition. Leaf mold (composted leaves) makes wonderful mulch, vegetable garden amendment, and has several uses in organic lawn care.
• When mowing the lawn, use the mulching feature rather than bagging the clippings. Returning grass clippings to the yard keeps your lawn healthy and saves space in the landfill.

For more information on how to reduce yard waste and nourish your landscaping, visit www.theconservationfoundation.org.