Yard waste is not accepted at the Resource Recovery Plant; these items must be disposed of properly at a yard waste-type business. 

Leave the Leaves

While leaves should be kept off sidewalks and not deposited in streets, residents can use leaves as compost for gardens or mulch them into lawns. Leaves can provide important cover for pollinators, so many suggest "leave the leaves" as an environmentally friendly option.

Read more on the benefits of "leave the leaves" here.

NO-CHARGE YARD WASTE DAYS

A Spring No-Charge Yard Waste Day will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8 am to 4 pm for LEAVES AND BRUSH at GreenRU, 400 Freel Drive.  Please enter the site from Dayton to SE 5th Street, then north on Freel to the site; exit to the north to Lincoln Way. 

Fall No-Charge Yard Waste Days will be held as follows, 8 am to 4 pm at GreenRU, 400 Freel Drive.  Please enter the site from Dayton to SE 5th Street, then north on Freel to the site; exit to the north to Lincoln Way:

October 19, 2024 Leaves only

November 9, 2024 Leaves only

November 16, 2024 Leaves & Brush

November 23, 2024 Leaves only

Yard Waste Sites

GreenRU  ***OPEN APRIL 1, 2024 - DECEMBER 16, 2024***

400 Freel Drive, Ames

515-450-0450

Monday, Wednesday, Friday  12 noon to 5 PM

Saturdays  8 AM to 12 noon

Steenhoek Environmental

3892 N 500th Ave., Ames

515-599-0503

Everyday from dawn to dusk

Additional Yard Waste Disposal Information:

Christmas Tree Recycling

Click here for information on free disposal of Christmas trees following the holidays

Storm Damaged Tree Cleanup Policy

Click here for information on the City's Storm Damaged Tree Cleanup Policy