Landscape Waste Collection

Seasonal Curbside Landscape Waste Collection

Start Date: April 3, 2023

End Date: November 23, 2023

Curbside Landscape Waste Collection season will resume in the Spring.  Seasonal landscape waste collection normally runs from early April through Thanksgiving.  These dates are weather dependent. Regularly check this page and/or watch for media releases on the subject.

Normal's landscape waste collection program serves to:

  • provide convenient collection service to residents.
  • recycle plant materials by transferring them to the I.S.U. farm for composting.

Definition

Landscape waste is organic yard or garden waste such as leaves and plant trimmings. Some organic items are excluded from curbside collection such as grass clippings, sod and dirt, however, they may be disposed of at our Landscape Waste Drop-off site (see below). 

Sticks are not landscape waste. They should be piled loose at the curb for brush collection. Large ornamental grasses (3 feet or longer) may be included with sticks, branches and twigs for brush collection or it may be broken down for landscape waste collection. Rose bush trimmings and most bush trimmings should be included with brush collection, not landscape waste.  Mulch will not be collected as part of landscape waste.  Please call 309-454-9571 for instructions on disposal.

Instructions/Information

  • Collection - Landscape waste is collected weekly, on your regular collection day, approximately April - Thanksgiving.
  • Container:  Place landscape waste at the curb in open paper bags (leaf bags) or designated landscape waste carts.  
  • Town-issued Landscape Waste Carts - Landscape waste may also be placed in a Town-issued Green-lidded Landscape Waste cart or a Town-issued garbage cart labeled with landscape waste decals on each side. Town landscape waste carts allow automated collection.
  • Cart Purchase - Town landscape waste carts may be purchased online or at our Finance Dept. (Ph. 454-9516; 11 Uptown Circle).
  • Weight limit for bags 35 lbs. The weight limit for Town carts with a green landscape waste lid or landscape waste decals is approximately 200 lbs.
  • Landscape Waste Decals - If you have an extra Town cart, free landscape waste decals can be obtained at the Public Works facility, City Hall Reception Desk (2nd floor), Normal Public Library or at the Normal Police Station front desk. Place decals on the upper sides of the cart (1 on each side) so the driver can see them from a distance.
  • Timing - Place landscape waste at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on your regular collection day or after 6 p.m. the evening before.
  • Placement - Place landscape waste near the back of the curb and 3 or more feet from other collection items (brush, bulky waste, garbage, recycling) or obstructions (signs, poles, cars, etc.)
  • Fall Vacuum Leaf Collection - This is a separate program from Seasonal Curbside Landscape Waste collection, with different start/end dates, as well as different methods of collecting leaves. Learn more about the Vacuum Leaf Collection program.

 Items we do NOT pick up curbside as landscape waste:

  • Grass clippings (see Landscape Waste Drop-off site below)
  • Dirt (see Landscape Waste Drop-off site below)
  • Sod (see Landscape Waste Drop-off site below)
  • Sticks/Brush (place these items loose at the curb for brush collection)
  • Pine cones, pumpkins (include with regular household waste)
  • Catalpa seeds, seed pods and nuts (include with regular garbage)
  • Rose bush clippings (include with brush collection)
  • Non-compostable items such as: plant containers and other household waste. These items should be included with regular waste collection in your Town-issued garbage cart.

 Acceptable landscape waste items:

  • Leaves (April - October leaves should be placed in an open bag or cart; during the fall leaf season only, rake leaves near the curb)
  • Plants and plant trimmings (nothing woody - see Brush)
  • Weeds
  • Pine needles
  • Flowers

Landscape Waste Drop-off site (Normal residents)

Alternatively, all landscape waste that we collect curbside, as well as grass clippings, dirt (free of rocks), fruits and vegetables and sod can be taken to the Public Works facility at 1301 Warriner St. There is a "Landscape Waste" sign on Warriner St., just past our building, that will help direct residents to the location at the far west end of our yard. Our landscape waste drop-off site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Drop off by contractors is not permitted.