City ordinance prohibits placing yard waste in streets, storm drains, ditches, waterways or other drainage areas. Placing yard waste in streets or drainage areas can cause flooding and water pollution.
The best recycling process for grass and leaves is to mulch the yard waste while mowing your yard. When grass and leaves are left on the yard after mowing, important nutrients are put back into the soil. This is also more convenient because it eliminates needless bagging of grass and leaves, along with transporting and hauling costs.
A second option is to compost grass and leaves in a small compost bin on your property. This also provides residents with a convenient and economical option for reusing grass and leaves without having to haul these materials. The composted materials can then be used to enhance the soil in gardens.
If you need to transport your yard waste, the City offers the Yardwaste Recycling Center, located near the Southwest Treatment Plant. This recycling center accepts materials from residents of Springfield and Greene County and processes the grass clippings and leaves into compost for reuse as a soil amendment and grinds woody materials for landscaping mulch. These products are available for sale at the center.
The City also accepts small quantities of yard waste at the Franklin Recycling Center, 731 N. Franklin, and at the Lone Pine Recycling Center, 3020 S. Lone Pine. Loads above the limits will be referred to the Yardwaste Recycling Center.
Visit springfieldmo.gov/recycling for information regarding hours of operation, locations and materials accepted or call the Recycling Hotline at 417-864-1904.