City of Laurel, Maryland

The City's Yard Waste Recycling Program will enhance the environment by reducing the amount of solid waste going to the landfill and produce a valuable resource. This program, along with similar efforts by other jurisdictions, will extend the life span of the landfill, and produce natural compost material for use in gardens.  View the Yard Debris calendar for the dates of the 2010 collection schedule.

What is Yard Waste?

Yard Waste includes normal lawn and garden debris such as leaves, brush, grass clippings, twigs, pruning and small branches (not more than 3-inches in diameter and not longer than 6 feet).

How Do I Request Collections?

Yard Debris Collections are made on Wednesdays. Requests for pickups must be made by the end of the day Monday. During April, the Department will offer an additional Monday pickup, which must be scheduled before the end of the day Thursday. To contact us by phone call: (301) 725-0088 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (TTY/Text users call via Maryland Relay). After hour callers may leave a message on our automated voice mail system. For your convenience you can also schedule a yard debris pickup 24/7 by e-mailing Public Works at dpw@laurel.md.us.

Preparing for Pickup

If you can't recycle your yard waste and it is necessary  for curbside pick-up by the city, try to use a compost bag or reusable container. Bags may be purchased at most retail, hardware, discount, and nursery stores.   Compost paper yard waste bags blend better into the compost material.

• Do not mix yard debris with other bulk trash items
• Cut branches and twigs into lengths of 6' or less
• Bundle branches in manageable piles (tie with twine, or metal tie wires) or place inside a container that can easily be emptied (containers must not weigh more than 80 pounds each)
• Branches must be less than 3" in diameter (larger branches and tree trunks must be collected as bulky trash)

Reasons to Recycle

• Backyard compost your small brush, grass clippings, leaves, sod, etc. Composting yard waste recycles nutrients back into the yard and saves landfill space.
• Composting reduces yard waste volume by 50 percent to 75 percent. Adding manure or soil increases volume.
• Composting plant wastes avoids the temporary nitrogen deficit seen when plant materials are added directly to the garden.
• The microorganisms that break down plant wastes require favorable temperatures, moisture and oxygen.
• Compost is best used as a soil amendment, not a mulch.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn. Clippings return nutrients to your lawn, acting as one fertilizer application per summer growing season. Grass blades contain about 85% water. When clippings are picked up, you lose moisture for the growing grass. Mow high and often - you will spend less time on yard work and eliminate the chore of bagging. Clippings return nutrients to the soil and make your lawn healthy and green. Grass clippings do not cause thatch!
• Composting at home cuts back on the expense of fertilizers and top soil. Mix "browns" (such as dead leaves and weeds) with "greens" (such as grass clippings and garden trimmings). Turn the pile, make sure the composting material is kept moist (like a damp sponge), and you will have compost within several months.
• Plant slow-growing trees, shrubs and grasses. You will have less pruning and trimming to do, and you will generate less yard waste.

Questions or Comments:

If you need any additional information or have any questions or comments, please call us at 301-725-0088 or you may e-mail us at dpw@laurel.md.us.