Have leaves, yard waste lying around? Kansas City will pick it up for free. Here’s when
If you have branches from spring landscaping or bags of leaves left over from the fall, Kansas City has news for you.
In March and April, those living within the city limits will have one day where they’ll be able to put bags of brush and leaves on the curb for free disposal.
Kansas City’s pickup schedule depends on your trash day and where you live.
When will Kansas City pick up my leaves and brush?
In Kansas City, your yard waste pickup will happen on trash day in one of three weeks. The week is determined by your address — look on Kansas City’s website to confirm which area you live in.
March 24-28: Central area, which includes most locations within city limits from the Missouri River to E. 63rd Street Trafficway
April 7-11: South area, which includes addresses within city limits south of E. 63rd Street Trafficway, plus those east of Raytown
April 21-25: North area, which is all Kansas City addresses north of the river
You can find your trash day on the city’s parcel viewer.
What if I want to drop off my yard waste?
If you missed your curbside pickup day, you can drop off your leaves at these two Missouri Organics locations. On Saturdays, the facilities wave fees for KCMO residents, but on other days it costs $2 a bag for both residents and non-residents.
Northland: 11660 N. Main St.
South Kansas City: 10301 Raytown Road
The locations are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting on March 16.
How should I package my branches and leaves for pickup?
Kansas City has rules for curbside leaf and brush pickup. Here is what you need to know:
Sacks and bundles should be set on the curb by 7 a.m. on your regular trash day, but not before 3 p.m. on the day before.
Each house can set out up to 20 sacks or bundles
Sacks and bundles can’t weigh more than 40 pounds each.
Only paper lawn debris sacks are allowed. No plastic bags are allowed.
Only use masking tape to seal the sacks.
All branches must be in bundles smaller than 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet long and tied with twine or jute rope. Branches must be 3 inches or smaller in diameter.
Don’t put out grass clippings or trash.
If rain is in the forecast, cover sacks and bundles with clear plastic.
What if I live in another part of the metro?
Each city’s brush and leaf disposal protocol is different.
Olathe and Kansas City, Kansas have year round curbside yard waste pickup, which occurs on trash day. Look on the municipality’s website for bagging requirements and drop-off hours.
In other municipalities, like Lee’s Summit, Independence and other parts of Johnson County, residents will need to drop off their trash at a facility. Some cities have free disposal days for residents, and some allow non-residents to use the facility for a fee.
Have more questions about government services in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
