Yard Waste Collection

Special Citywide Brush Collection Taking Place Beginning Week of Aug. 17  

Due to the severe weather that occurred in Naperville on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the City will conduct a special citywide brush collection beginning the week of Aug. 17. Residents may dispose of bagged yard waste and loose brush and branches through the following collection options.

Bagged and Bundled Yard Waste 
Groot will collect bagged and bundled brush and yard waste on residents’ regular garbage and recycling collection days during the weeks of Aug. 17 and Aug. 24. Yard waste stickers will not be required during this time. Bagged and bundled materials must adhere to Groot’s yard waste collection guidelines, which can be found at naperville.il.us/yardwaste. Stickers will be required again starting the week of Aug. 31. 

Loose Brush and Tree Debris 
Public Works crews will begin a one-time, citywide collection of loose brush and tree debris on Monday, Aug. 17. Residents must place loose, unbundled brush and tree debris on the parkway in front of their homes by 6 a.m. on Aug. 17.

Crews will pass through each neighborhood once and will not return after an area is completed. A map of completed collection areas will be updated daily by 5 p.m on weekdays. Once crews have passed through an area, residents should not put any loose brush or tree debris out at the curb. Remaining brush and tree debris must be prepared according to Groot’s yard waste collection guidelines and placed out on a resident’s regularly scheduled garbage and recycling collection day or disposed of by a privately hired tree removal company. The City will announce when this special loose brush collection is complete citywide. 

View the Loose Brush Collection Progress Map

Special Collection Important Dates

By 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17 

• Place loose, unbagged brush and tree debris on the parkway in front of your home. 
• Have everything out by this deadline. Public Works will make only one pass through each neighborhood.  

Weeks of Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 

• Place bagged and bundled brush and yard waste at the curb on your regularly scheduled collection day. 
• Do not use a yard waste sticker.
• Follow Groot’s size, weight, and bundling guidelines.

Starting on Aug. 31

• Place yard waste stickers on bagged and bundled brush. 

After Public Works has completed loose collection in your area 

• Do not place additional loose brush or tree debris on the parkway. 
• Bag or bundle remaining brush or tree debris according to Groot’s size, weight, and bundling guidelines for pickup on your regularly scheduled collection day. You can also hire a private tree removal company. 

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Program Overview

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 2026 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.
• Heinen's Grocery Store, 1244 E Chicago Ave.
• 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. 2 through Dec. 11, 2026, 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. 2, 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 $199.69/year and a 95-gallon cart is $242.87/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.

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.