As the seasons change in Colorado, residents often wonder how to manage the piles of leaves, branches, and grass clippings that accompany the transitions. As such, understanding your options for disposing of Fort Collins yard waste is essential.
Fortunately, you’re not limited to just one method. For instance, you can recycle your yard waste yourself, opt for the convenience of having local trash haulers collect it, and more. This guide will explore these options so you’ll find the solution that’s best for you.
What is yard waste?
Yard waste includes many natural items from your yard and garden. This means things like branches, flowers, grass clippings, weeds, and untreated wood. Even your Christmas tree counts as yard waste after the holidays.
However, not everything from your yard is considered yard waste. For example, rocks, soil, and wood that has been treated with chemicals are not yard waste. These items can’t be mixed with your regular yard waste because they require different handling and disposal methods.
Methods for yard waste disposal in Fort Collins
Disposing of yard waste in Fort Collins can be done in several eco-friendly ways. This section will guide you through the different ways you can manage your yard waste effectively and sustainably.
1. Mulch grass clippings and leaves
Instead of bagging grass clippings or leaves and dealing with the disposal of bags afterward, you can mulch them to enhance your garden and lawn’s health. Mulching these materials back into your yard returns essential nutrients to the soil, helps conserve water, and can even reduce the presence of weeds — all of that while reducing waste.
Here’s how you can make the most out of grass clippings and leaves:
- Mow your grass and leave the clippings on the lawn: Simply mow over the grass and let the clippings fall back onto the lawn instead of bagging them. However, be cautious if it has been a while since you last mowed or if your lawn is diseased. Long grass clipping can smother the grass underneath, and diseased clippings can spread unwanted issues.
- Mulch your leaves: Spread the leaves evenly across your lawn and use a mulching mower to shred them. Pass over the leaves several times until they are finely chopped.
You can then use this mulched material in vegetable patches, flower beds, or any area in your yard that could benefit from mulching.
2. Compost yard waste
Composting is a great way to repurpose various types of yard waste into something beneficial for your garden. Grass clippings, leaves, shrub trimmings, flowers, food scraps, and even seedless weeds can all be added to a compost pile.
Over time, these materials break down through natural decomposition processes, transforming into rich organic matter that can vastly improve the quality of your soil. It can help improve soil texture, balance soil pH, and help prevent mineral deficiencies.
The best compost bins will let you process two batches at a time, collect compost tea, and will be easy to operate.
3. Pay for Trash and Recycling services
In Fort Collins, managing yard waste through the city’s Trash and Recycling program is a convenient option for residents. But who picks up the yard waste? The city has a contractual agreement with Republic Services to handle residential trash and recycling collection, including yard waste.
The cost of this service varies, with prices ranging from approximately $11 to $109 monthly, depending on the size of the trash cart you choose. The company picks up your yard waste weekly (or bi-weekly if you choose the XS cart service), usually around 7 a.m.
The official start of this program is set for September 30, 2024. Until this program is fully operational, residents can opt to hire licensed haulers, like Ram Waste Systems or Waste Management.
4. Haul the yard waste to designated locations
For Fort Collins homeowners who prefer a hands-on approach to disposing of their yard waste, there are some drop-off locations that accept it. This method allows you to transport your yard waste directly to a facility that can properly process and recycle it.
Pro tip: Before you load up your yard waste and head out to the location, verify any applicable fees at the drop-off locations. Some sites may charge a small fee.
Here are the web pages on where to drop off yard waste in Fort Collins, and their address, so you can check which one is nearest you:
| Name | Address | Phone |
| Larimer County Green Waste Program | 200 W. Oak Street Fort Collins | (970) 498-7000 |
| City of Loveland Recycling Center | 400 N. Wilson Ave, Loveland, CO | (970) 962-2529 |
| Ewing Landscape Materials | 3501 E Prospect Ave. | (970) 221-7173 |
| Timberline Recycling Center | 1903 S. Timberline Road | (970) 221-6600 |
| Republic Services | 1941 Heath Parkway | (970) 484-5556 |
| A1 Organics | 16350 WCR 76, Eaton, CO | (970) 454-3492 |
| Doug Weitzel, Inc. | 2630 W. Mulberry St. | (970) 566-1211 |
5. Connect with your community
If you find yourself with excess yard waste and are looking for alternatives to composting or mulching it yourself, consider talking to people in your community. Many of your neighbors in Fort Collins might find a use for what you have, such as for their own compost piles or mulch needs.
You can connect with those in your community using platforms like Nextdoor, Facebook, or ShareWaste. They allow you to post about available yard waste and find local residents who might need it for their projects.
When posting, be clear about what type of yard waste you have (grass clippings, leaves, branches, untreated wood, etc.), and specify any conditions, such as whether it’s free from pesticides or herbicides.
FAQ about yard waste in Fort Collins
Can you burn yard waste in Fort Collins?
No, you cannot burn yard waste in Fort Collins. Burning yard waste within city limits is prohibited. This regulation is in place to mitigate the impacts of wood smoke on respiratory health.
How do I take care of my lawn in Colorado?
The best way to take care of your lawn is by adhering to a structured lawn schedule for Colorado. This schedule should include:
- Selecting grass seeds that are best suited for Colorado’s climate and soil types, like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and buffalograss.
- Knowing when to plant grass seeds in Colorado to help thicken your lawn.
- Regular mowing with a sharp blade to ensure your grass grows well and prevent pests from taking hold.
- Determining the best time to fertilize in Colorado to maintain a healthy lawn.
- Knowing how to water your lawn, preferably deeply and infrequently, so it grows strong roots.
- Being proactive in treating diseases like snow mold in Colorado lawns.
How much does yard cleanup cost?
The average cost of a professional yard cleanup is about $318. However, the cost can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the size of the yard and the type of services included. Homeowners across the nation typically pay between $174 and $436.
The services in a yard cleanup typically include:
- Removing fallen branches and twigs
- Raking leaves
- Mowing the lawn
- Cleaning up flower beds and garden areas
It’s important to note that these costs generally do not include additional fees for hauling away and disposing of yard waste.
When to call a professional
Before tackling yard waste, it’s essential to manage the health and appearance of your yard itself. Regular maintenance tasks such as mowing, fertilizing, and aerating are crucial for a thriving lawn.
If you’re unsure about how to properly care for your lawn or simply don’t have the time, consider hiring a lawn care professional near you. A local expert can provide the necessary services to keep your yard in peak condition all year long.
Main Image Credit: Adobe Stock
