24 Aug Your Complete Guide to Local Township Yard Waste Rules: How to Prepare for Fall Yard Cleanups

At Mother Compost, we love composting just about everything, but we can’t large quantities of yard waste. While yard waste is compostable and perfect for your own compost pile, our facility already has enough “browns” to balance out our composting process. This allows us to focus on keeping your food scraps and other “green” materials out of the landfill.

Fortunately, local township programs have got you covered when it comes to yard waste collection. We’ve put together a detailed guide with the specific yard waste rules for each township we serve.

Before you dive in, here are some general rules you’ll need to follow across the board for most townships:

• Sticks must be bundled 3-4 ft long
• Leaves must be placed in large paper bags (Haverford Township has different rules)
• If you’re using a bin, make sure it’s 50 gallons or less and not overstuffed. The bin should weigh no more than 40 lbs and contain loose materials, not packed to the brim.

Items not accepted include plastic bags, pet waste, pressure-treated wood, and grass clippings. For a full list of restrictions and the collection schedules in your area, check with your local Department of Public Works (DPW), especially around holidays when schedules may shift.

Ready to get your yard waste in order for fall? Read on for township-specific guidelines and tips to ensure your yard stays tidy and your waste is collected hassle-free.

Haverford Township 

• Leaves are picked up only in the fall by vacuum truck from November 1st – December 24th
  • This means just leave your leaves out by the curb to be vacuumed up, no bagging needed!
  • Or just leave your leaves on the ground for the soil, bugs and microbes! (see our previous instagram post on leaving the leaves)
    • Click that “follow” button while you’re at it! https://www.instagram.com/p/CHS3XBwj3qr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
  • Brush pick up is on Mondays from the second half of February through the end of December
    • January thru the first half of February is Christmas Tree Season
    • Haverford Twp will only be picking up Christmas trees during this time 
• Brush must be in a 50 gallon bin (usually a trash container, but NO TRASH)
  • Do not over stuff the bin
  • Branches no thicker than 1.5 inches
  • Branches and sticks cut down to 3 feet in length
• Brush only – see the website for more details 
• More information here: Public Works | The Township of Haverford, PA (haverfordtownship.org)

Radnor Township

• All yard waste should be placed in bio-degradable paper bags (no plastic of any kind) or a 35 gallon refuse container for collection. No plastic bags are allowed. Contents of containers should not exceed 50 pounds.
• All bags are to be place at the curb for collection.
• Tree trimmings and brush should be tied in bundles no more than 2 feet in diameter and no longer than 3 feet in length. Branches can be no more than 2″ in diameter and 3 ft in length. No firewood will be collected.
  • Brush will not be collected that is sticking out of a container; this is for the safety of our employees.
  • The Township will take up to 10 bundle/bags of yard waste per collection.
• Leaves will be collected in bags when placed at the curb.
  • Bagged leaves will not be collected during the township-wide leaf collection season in November and December.
• Christmas trees are collected after the Christmas holiday
• Dirt, mulch, and grass clippings will not be collected.
• Township residents may also drop off yard waste at Skunk Hollow Park
  • 2024 Drop Off Days: May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18
• More information here: Yard Waste Information | Radnor, PA

Lower Merion

• Yard waste is picked up curbside on trash day
• 4 ft bundles (biodegradable twine – hemp or jute)
• Leaves can be put in compostable paper bags and placed by the curb for collection
• Can use large yard waste paper bags
• Grass clippings are not recycled by the Township. They may be disposed of with your regular refuse.
• More information: Refuse and Recycling Division | Lower Merion Township, PA

Upper Merion Township

• Yard waste collection season runs from April thru October
• By schedule only
  • Schedule a yard waste pick up here – https://uppermerionpa.qscend.com/311/request/add
• No grass clippings
• Leaves must be in biodegradable bags 
• Branches and sticks cut down to 3ft long
• Bundle sticks and branches with biodegradable twine 
  • Bundles no wider than 2ft
• For more information: Yard Waste Collection – Upper Merion Township (umtownship.org)

Easttown Township

• All yard waste must be in biodegradable bags
• Grass clippings not accepted
• Placed outside by 6am on pick up day
• Yard waste collection schedule can be viewed here: Yard Waste | Easttown Township, PA

Tredyffrin Township

• The township suggests you compost your leaves
• Leaves and yard waste can be dropped off at Mill Rd Composting facility
  •  1542 Mill Road, Malvern, PA
  • Drop off is available in spring and fall only
  • Dropoff is the first Monday of the Month
• For more information: Recycling Requirements | Tredyffrin Township

Marple Township

• Offers yard waste pick up and drop off
• Drop off Saturdays and Sundays 2024 dates here – 2024-Marple-Township-Yard-Waste-drop (marpletwp.com)
  • 9am – 12pm
  • Old Marple Grade School Property on West Chester Pike & Malin Road, directly behind the new Fire House.
• Bring ID to prove residency
• No leaves, grass or bamboo
• Pick up for leaves curbside runs from October 28th – December 20th
• Pick up day depends on your Ward of residence – see here 2024-LEAF-COLLECTION (marpletwp.com)
• For more information – Public Works | Marple Township, PA (marpletwp.com)

Narberth

• Pick up curbside every Wednesday
  • Brush and Vegetation only
• Leaves must be in brown paper leaf bags
• For more information – https://www.narberthpa.gov/services/trash-recycling/

Westtown Township

• Yard Waste cannot be placed in the regular trash and will only be collected on scheduled days.  
  • Remaining 2024 collection dates:  May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug 10, Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9 & 23, Dec 7 & 21.
• Leaves must be in biodegradable paper bags or containers that can be dumped.  
• Plastic bags are not accepted.  
• Branches under 3″ in diameter must be cut approximately 3 foot in length, bundled and tied
• No dirt, rocks, logs, mulch, stumps, or ashes will be taken.
• For more information – Trash & Recycling | Westtown Township (westtownpa.org)

West Chester Borough

• Yard Waste is collected each week on your trash day. 
• Place materials in brown biodegradable yard waste bags. Grass clippings, leaf waste, & other loose yard waste is accepted.
• Tree branches must be cut 4 feet or shorter; no thicker than 4 inches diameter
  • Must be tied with biodegradable twine (cotton or hemp) into manageable bundles no longer than 4 feet or placed in biodegradable paper bags.
  • Branches thicker than 4 inches will not be collected.
• No plastic bags or yard waste in cans will be collected.
• For more information – Yard Waste Collection | West Chester Borough, PA – Official Website (west-chester.com)

West Goshen

Remaining 2024 dates for Saturday Yard Waste Collections:

• • May 11: Yard Waste
  • June 15: Yard Waste 
  • July 20: Yard Waste
  • August 17: Yard Waste
  • September 21: Yard Waste
  • October 12: Yard Waste
  • November 16: Fall Leaves / Yard Waste
  • December 7: Fall Leaves / Yard Waste
  • December 21: Fall Leaves / Yard Waste
• Sticks, branches, and twigs must be tied in bundles no more than 4 feet in length and 4 feet in diameter, and may not exceed 50 pounds per bundle.
• Branches may not exceed 4 inches in diameter. 
• Other yard waste may be placed in trash cans or biodegradable paper bags which may be purchased at home improvement stores. Bags are not available through West Goshen Township. 
• There is no limit to the number of bundles or bags that will be collected.
• Leaves should be placed in biodegradable paper bags or trash cans. 
• Please note that leaves and other yard waste will not be collected from plastic bags.
• For more information – Yard Waste & Fall Leaf Pickup | West Goshen Township, PA

Willistown Township

As far as we can tell there is no yard waste collection happening through the township. Consider purchasing the Bag to Earth Bags in our shop to compost any fall yard waste. Up to 3 Bag to Earth bags will be accepted per collection. Click login at the top of our website & access your customer portal from there. Bags will be delivered on route. 

For more information – Recycling & Waste | Willistown Township, PA – Official Website

Whether you’re cleaning up fallen leaves or tidying up your garden, understanding your township’s yard waste rules will save you time and effort. At Mother Compost, we’re all about helping you divert waste from landfills in the most sustainable way possible. If you’re already a pro at composting food scraps, let’s keep the momentum going by making sure your yard waste is handled responsibly, too. Happy composting!