Peoria, IL Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Yard waste in Illinois cannot be placed in plastic bags for landfill disposal under 415 ILCS 5/22.22 (the Yard Waste Landfill Ban), which requires that landscape waste — grass clippings, leaves, brush, branches — be composted or otherwise managed separately from municipal solid waste. Peoria's curbside yard waste program complies by requiring labeled cans or compostable paper bags; the City sells 'Yard Waste Only' stickers at City Hall, Public Works (3505 N. Dries Lane), and any GFL Environmental location. GFL transports yard waste to a regional composting facility, where it is processed into soil amendment. Acceptable materials include grass clippings, tree limbs and brush, and leaves; not accepted include household trash, animal waste, sod, dirt, rocks, and 'garden vegetation with produce still attached' (the produce-attached restriction is a contamination prevention measure for the composting process). Compostable paper bags, when filled, must support their own weight wet or dry (30-pound maximum). Bundles must be tied with twine or other non-metallic cord, not exceeding 5 feet in length and 50 pounds in weight. Real Christmas trees are accepted curbside in early January (decorations and lights removed) and are included in the standard yard waste pickup. Open burning of leaves and yard waste is prohibited in Peoria under Chapter 9 Article II (Fire Prevention Code) and by 415 ILCS 5/9 — composting and curbside collection are the only lawful disposal options. The yard waste season runs through the week of December 7 in 2026; outside the season, yard waste must be home-composted or held for the next season.