Bi-weekly spring yard waste collection will begin the week of April 5, 2021, and collection will take place on the same day as bi-weekly recycling pick-up.
Submitted
On April 5, 2021, the Department of Public Works will commence its Spring Yard Waste Collection. Yard waste collection follows the same schedule as bi-weekly residential recycling.
Residents must put their yard waste out by 6 a.m. on their recycling day. The program runs until the end of October.
![](https://we-ha.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/leaf-bag.jpg)
All leaves and other yard waste, other than bundled branches, must be placed in 30-gallon biodegradable bags or placed in the town’s brown barrels. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
Yard Waste is defined as:
- Leaves, pine needles, pine cones, acorns, twigs, dead plant matter, and thatch
Acceptable Yard Waste presentation:
- 30-gallon biodegradable brown bags
- Bundled branches and brush up to 4 inches in diameter and up to 4 feet in length accepted ONLY if bundled with organic twine
- Brown barrels (95-gallon barrels available for purchase – see photo above and details below)
Not Acceptable:
- Bundles tied with wire, nylon or plastic (these items harm grinding equipment)
- Yard waste bags contaminated with rocks, soil, grass clippings
- Bags and bundled material LONGER than 4 feet
- Bags and bundled material weighing MORE than 40 pounds
Brown Barrels can be purchased for $73.12 in three ways:
- Call DPW at 860-561-8100 and order over the phone
- By credit card on-line 24-hours/day on the Public Works page of the Town of West Hartford’s website: “Order a Yard Waste Brown Barrel” link
- In person at the Public Works Facility during business hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (cash and check accepted in person)
Separating Yard Waste
Yard waste is NOT permitted in Trash carts. Separating yard waste from the green trash barrels greatly reduces the volume of trash sent to regional trash facilities and reduces the amount of methane gas released into the atmosphere. It’s a great way for residents to contribute to West Hartford’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Please visit our website for year-round yard waste disposal options available at the Recycling Center, 25 Brixton St. Annual permit required. For more information, call 860-561-8100 or visit www.westhartfordct.gov/pw
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This is my first spring/summer in West Hartford. Bagging leaves for pick up was very helpful, as i have a small yard. Grass clippings are a different story however. Is it accurate to think that grass clippings cannot be picked up as yard waste? What are my alternatives?
Hi John! Public Works usually recommends that people mulch their cut grass while mowing rather than raking up the clippings. While it can’t be picked up as yard waste at the curb, you are able to drop it off at the Yard Waste and Recycling Center on Brixton Street. Here’s some information: https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/public-works/yard-waste-information
Best,
Ronni