Backyard composting in Fort Smith is permitted and encouraged. The City's Solid Waste Services Department operates a curbside yard-waste program with a free city-issued 96-gallon cart (or resident-supplied 32-gallon bin), collecting grass, leaves, and brush; all material is composted at the Fort Smith Landfill composting facility, which sells finished compost to residents. Branches must be bundled, capped at 18-inch diameter and 50 pounds. Open burning is restricted under Arkansas DEQ Regulation 18 and local fire rules.
Fort Smith operates one of the more developed municipal yard-waste-to-compost programs in Arkansas. Solid Waste Services (5900 Commerce Rd, Fort Smith β https://solidwaste.fortsmithar.gov/yard-waste/) collects yard waste from residential customers using either a free city-issued 96-gallon cart or a resident-supplied 32-gallon bin, with the lid closed. Approved materials include grass clippings, leaves, hedge and shrub trimmings, and small branches. Loose branches and limbs must be bundled and tied with string, not exceeding 18 inches in diameter or 50 pounds per bundle. Paper bags are preferred over plastic because they can go directly into the composting process; plastic bags must be debagged before contents enter composting. A separate bulk brush/limbs collection service is available for a one-time fee added to the utility bill. All collected yard waste is processed at the Fort Smith Landfill composting facility, and the City sells the finished compost to residents through its Purchase Compost program (https://www.fortsmithar.gov/resident-services/waste-recycling-management/landfill/purchase-compost). Backyard home composting is not subject to a Fort Smith permit. Best practices consistent with U of A Cooperative Extension guidance: keep compost bins 5-10 feet from any property line, use a rodent-resistant design, balance browns and greens, and compost only plant-based food scraps and yard waste β no meat, dairy, or pet waste. Open burning of yard waste is restricted under Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment - Division of Environmental Quality Regulation 18 (Air Pollution Control Code) and Fort Smith Fire Department burn rules.
Improper composting that creates a documented vermin or odor nuisance is enforceable under Fort Smith Chapter 16 (Nuisances), with the City Administrator authorized to order abatement on seven days' notice under A.C.A. Β§14-54-901+. Placing yard waste in regular trash carts violates Solid Waste Services collection rules and exposes the customer to service warnings and potential rate adjustments. Open burning of leaves and brush violates Arkansas DEQ Regulation 18 and Fort Smith Fire Department burn-permit conditions, with state and local penalties. Branches exceeding 18 inches in diameter or 50 pounds per bundle will not be collected and must be processed through the bulk brush collection service.
Fort Smith, AR
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