Springfield, MO Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Yard waste classified as
- 'unacceptable waste'
- Sanitary landfill disposal
- prohibited
- Standard trash container rule
- does not apply
- Continuing-violation penalty
- up to $1,000/day
Summary
Springfield classifies grass clippings, leaves and tree trimmings as 'unacceptable waste': it is exempt from the ordinary trash-container rule and cannot legally go to the city's sanitary landfill.
Yard waste means grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings, yard and garden vegetation, Christmas trees and other solid waste which is defined by state law as yard waste... Unacceptable waste means hazardous waste, yard waste, prohibited medical waste... No person shall dump or dispose of unacceptable waste or permit such waste to be dumped or disposed of in any area or facility licensed under the provisions of this article or the city sanitary landfill.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 2 | Land Development Code: Supplement 9 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 94-1 defines yard waste as grass clippings, leaves, tree trimmings, yard and garden vegetation, Christmas trees and similar material (not stumps, roots or root-balled shrubs), and separately classifies yard waste as 'unacceptable waste.' Because of that classification, Sec. 94-72(a) excuses yard waste from the standard 96-gallon residential container requirement that applies to ordinary household trash, and Sec. 94-48(a) makes it unlawful to dump unacceptable waste, yard waste included, at any licensed disposal area or the city's sanitary landfill; it must instead be handled through a licensed hauler's separate yard-waste service or another approved outlet.
Violations & Fines
Dumping yard waste as unacceptable waste at a licensed disposal area or the city landfill is a misdemeanor under Sec. 94-41, punishable per the general penalty in Sec. 1-7 (fine up to $1,000.00 and/or up to 180 days in jail), plus a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00 per day for a continuing violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put yard waste in my regular Springfield trash can?
Can I haul my own yard waste to the Springfield landfill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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