Herndon collects yard waste seasonally from spring through fall. Grass clippings, leaves, and small branches must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or reusable containers clearly marked as yard waste. Brush and branches must be bundled with twine; bundles cannot exceed 4 feet in length or 50 pounds.
Herndon operates a seasonal yard waste collection program that runs roughly March through December, coinciding with the primary growing and leaf season. Residents must separate yard waste from household trash, as yard waste is composted rather than landfilled. Acceptable materials include grass clippings, leaves, weeds, plant trimmings, small twigs, and branches up to 4 inches in diameter. Materials must be placed in biodegradable kraft paper lawn and leaf bags (plastic bags are NOT accepted), or in a rigid container clearly marked YARD WASTE. Branches must be cut to no more than 4 feet in length, bundled with natural twine or sisal (no wire or plastic), with each bundle weighing no more than 50 pounds. The Town also holds annual fall leaf collection in which vacuum trucks collect loose leaves raked to the curb during designated weeks; residents should check the Town calendar for their zone week. Yard waste placed in regular trash containers is subject to non-collection. Composting in backyards is encouraged and exempt from these rules. During the off-season (typically January through early March), yard waste may go out with regular trash or be hauled to the Fairfax County I-66 Transfer Station.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Fairfax County handle yard waste collection.
See how Herndon's yard waste collection rules stack up against other locations.
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