Yard Waste Collection is a service provided by Midwest Waste once each week from the third week of March through the first week of December each year.  Any yard waste material that is put our for pickup after the Yard Waste Pickup Deadline in December will NOT be picked up by the City of Mt. Vernon nor Midwest Waste.  It is the sole responsibility of the resident to see that their yard waste is set out for pickup during the announced yard waste service dates.  This service is the same day as the regular trash service in your area, although not utilizing the same truck.

Residential yard waste includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, brush, garden plants, flowers, weeds, and other similar organic waste material accumulated as the result of the cultivation and maintenance of lawns, shrubbery, trees, vines, and gardens.

Containers for yard waste may either be a reusable container or a paper or other biodegradable bag with a capacity not to exceed 30 gallons.  In addition, brush, branches, logs, Christmas trees and other similar yard waste shall be collected if securely tied in bundles.  Bundles shall not exceed three (3) feet in length or thirty-five (35) pounds in weight and shall be securely tied together forming an easily handled package.  Yard waste containers and bundles shall be placed near the street in front of the residential unit or in an alley adjacent to the property where the regular trash is placed.

Leaves may be burned in the fall with the dates and times determined each year by the Mt. Vernon Fire Department.  They may be burned only on private property and not on public right-of-way, public streets nor sidewalks.  Fires on blacktop or oiled streets can actually damage the street surface, as well as create a traffic hazard from smoke blowing across the street.  Fires in ditches or drainage ways can kill vegetation and thus spur the onset of erosion. 

Leaves are defined to include twigs, small branches, nuts and associated debris capable of being raked and necessarily and customarily burned with leaves.

Christmas trees will be picked up by Midwest Waste at curb side the second week of January for those who have regular City garbage pickup.  They will be picked up on the customers regular pick up day.  Also, beginning the day after Christmas, community drop off sites will be designated by signs at Veterans Park women's softball field at Cherry Street, Optimist Park at 903 Pace Avenue, and Airport Park at 1101 Airport Road.  Christmas trees should have ornaments and tinsel removed before being placed out for pick up.

Storm debris items from a major storm event will be picked up by the City of Mt. Vernon Public Works Department.  As to whether or not an inclement weather event is a storm will be determined by the City Manager's office.  A Public Notice shall be issued by news media (paper and radio) to announce that the City will be picking up debris from a determined storm.  The City will pick up debris for 2 weeks following the storm.  Anything put out after the two week clean up period will not be picked up by the City and will be the responsibility of the resident to dispose of the debris.  Storm debris items are trees, tree limbs and branches ONLY.  Any other items will NOT be picked up by the City.