West Haven, CT Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 119-3(D) through (G) governs yard debris under Chapter 119. Lumber, brush, branches and tree limbs are collected by the Department of Public Works if cut into lengths not more than six feet and securely tied in bundles not exceeding 70 pounds. Grass and leaves are collected if secured in approved containers or plastic bags and not exceeding 70 pounds in weight. Sweeping leaves into a public street is prohibited by § 119-3(F), and § 119-3(G) prohibits burning garbage, rubbish, leaves, grass or other material anywhere in the City of West Haven.

The recycling article adds a narrower leaf program. Section 119-12 defines yard waste as grass clippings, hedge trimmings, garden waste, branches and wood chips, and lists yard waste and leaves among the mandatory recyclables. Under § 119-14(A)(9), leaves are collected only between October 15 and December 15 and at such times as designated by the Department of Public Works. During that window leaves go in paper bags, which § 119-12 defines as a sack of up to thirty-gallon capacity, two-ply fifty-pound wet strength with decomposing glue, placed alongside other recyclable materials on the ground between the curb or pavement edge and the property line.

No other yard waste or materials can go in the paper bags with leaves, and no tape, staples or string can be used as a closure. Leaves collected from apartment buildings, business, commercial, industrial or institutional properties or by commercial landscapers must be transported to a leaf compost facility approved by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Public Works keeps a list of those facilities. Recyclables cannot be set out earlier than 24 hours preceding the day of collection (§ 119-13(D)).