2023 Fall Yard Waste Collection
The City of Champaign’s Fall Yard Waste Collection program will run from October 9 through December 8, 2023. Every Champaign residence will have four collection dates this fall, with Blue Zone pickups starting October 9 and Orange Zone pickups beginning October 16. This free collection is available to all residential properties within the Champaign city limits and provides a green alternative for yard waste disposal.
Residents may participate by placing bagged leaves and/or bundled branches and twigs at the curb no later than 6 a.m. on their scheduled collection date. Residents should refer to the maps and schedule below to determine their collection dates. Find your collection zone and schedule using our handy interactive map. Simply visit bit.ly/ChampaignYardWasteMap and search for your address.
More information about the program, including helpful hints and things to avoid, can be found on the City’s website at champaignil.gov/yard-waste and on the City’s television channel – CGTV. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for automatic email notifications concerning this and all future yard waste collections on the City’s website – champaignil.gov/newsletter.
Collection Information:
- Collection is available to all residential properties within the City limits.
- On heavier collection days, your pickup may be later than normal or even the next day.
- If your materials have not been collected two days after your scheduled collection, contact Public Works at 217-403-4700.
- Connect to the Yard Waste Hotline at 217-403-8852.
Material Requirements:
- Materials must be placed within 10 feet of the curb of a public street by 6 a.m. to ensure pickup on your scheduled day.
- Bags need to be placed at least 5 feet away from obstacles such as trees, mailboxes, light poles, fire hydrants, etc. Bags near obstacles will not be collected.
- Materials must be in 30-gallon paper yard waste bags. Yard waste in plastic bags, containers, etc. will not be collected.
- Twigs and branches may be bundled with non-metallic twine or placed in paper yard waste bags. Branches cannot be larger than 2 inches in diameter and 3 ½ feet long. Bundles cannot be larger than 18 inches in diameter.
- For a small fee, bagged plant material, brush, bulk wood, etc. may be taken throughout the year to the Landscape Recycling Center at 1210 E. University Avenue in Urbana, phone 217-344-5323.
Downloadable/Printable Brochures
Orange Zone Collection Brochure
The City of Champaign sponsors two seasonal yard waste collections during the year (one in spring and one in fall) and a Holiday tree collection for all residential properties in the City. The fall yard waste collection provides residents with four collection opportunities, while the spring yard waste collection provides two collection opportunities. Please refer to the City’s Policy for Yard Waste and Holiday Tree Collection for detailed information.
Future Collections
To receive information about future yard waste collections, please sign up now to receive notifications:
Sign up for Yard Waste Collection Updates
Yard Waste Pickup Guidelines
- The collection is available to all residential properties within the Champaign City limits.
- Materials must be in 30-gallon paper yard waste bags. NO PLASTIC BAGS OR CONTAINERS.
- Bags should be placed within 10 feet of the curbside, and 5 feet away from obstacles like mailboxes, trees, telephone poles, and fire hydrants.
- If bags are placed too close to obstacles, the bags will be left until the next scheduled pickup week.
- Bags should be placed by 6 a.m. on your scheduled day to ensure pickup. It is recommended to set the bags out the night before your pickup date.
- Only bags containing leaves, grass clippings, and plant materials will be collected. Bags with any other materials, such as rocks, glass, potted plants, mulch, or pet waste will not be collected.
- Twigs and branches may be bundled with non-metallic twine or placed in paper yard waste bags. Branches cannot be larger than 2 inches in diameter and 3 1/2 feet long. Bundles cannot be larger than 18 inches in diameter.
Helpful bag placement The Yard Waste Program is primarily intended for the pick up of your bagged leaves. Household trash and items will not be picked up; these items include: Additionally, please be sure your bags are not filled beyond the “capacity” line indicated on the side of the bag. Also, bags should not weigh more than 40 lbs. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in your yard waste bags not being collected. Things to Avoid Bags need to be placed at least five feet away from obstacles such as trees, mailboxes, light poles, fire hydrants, etc. Bags placed too close to obstacles will be left until the following schedule collection week. Did you know that fall leaves can add valuable nutrients to your lawn and garden? Keep this in mind before spending needless hours bagging your leaves. You may actually be hurting your lawn by removing too much of their natural nutrients. “Raking and collecting leaves every autumn is a tradition without scientific basis. Research has proven that mowing leaves into your lawn can improve its vigor.” See information on Last Season’s Leaf Shedding The links below provide helpful information regarding mulching yard waste and leaves:
Burning leaves in the City of Champaign is prohibited at all times. Please see Chapter 15, Section 20 of the Municipal Code.
For questions about yard waste collection:
Public Works Department
702 Edgebrook Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-403-4700
Public Works Hotline: 217-403-8852