Yard Waste Collection

Yard waste collection is performed by the Town of Apex Public Works Department personnel for residential customers. To learn about ordinances that regulate Yard Waste collection in Apex, click here,

Collection occurs weekly on the business day following garbage and recycling collection. On occasion, weekly collection is not possible, due to these reasons:

  • Inclement weather (this includes periods of heavy rain, ice, or snow)
  • Holidays (Yard waste collection observes the published Town of Apex Holiday calendar)
  • High Demand (increases following a big weather event and during the loose-leaf collection season, November-February)
  • Equipment Failures (aging equipment and specialized repairs and parts can lead to fewer trucks to complete routes)

Pre-Collection Key Reminders

  • Yard waste is required to be separated by type and not combined with other yard waste types
  • Yard waste is to be placed at least ten (10) feet away from any storm drain
  • Yard waste should not be blocked by vehicles on collection day
  • Yard waste should not be placed at curbside for collection more than 48 hours in advance of the scheduled collection date

Missed Collection

Report missed collection to our customer service team one of two ways:

Three Types of Trucks
may visit your street on yard waste collection day

Vacuum Truck
  • Leaves
  • Grass Clippings
  • Pine cones
  • Pine Straw
  • Weeds (no dirt)
  • Small Shrubbery Clippings less than 4 inces in length and less than 1/4 inches in diameter
  • Do not bag yard waste. Please make sure that leaves are placed curbside and separated from other yard waste types. Leaves mixed with other debris will not be collected due to the possibility of damaging equipment.
  • Place yard waste 10 feet away from storm drains. Please separate yard waste by type. 
  • Dirt, sod, mulch, and rocks are not accepted items for yard waste collection
  • Separate any sticks / limbs, as those items can damage the vacuum equipment
Chipper Truck
  • Sticks and Limbs
  • Christmas Trees (remove all lights and decorations)
  • Limbs must be no more than 8 feet long, and a maximum diameter of 8 inches. Please separate sticks from limbs and other yard waste types. Place limbs with the cut ends facing the same direction.
  • Place Christmas trees curbside, but not in the roadway. Christmas trees are collected throughout the month of January.
Grapple Truck
  • Limbs
  • Supports both chipping and bulk collection operations


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Peak Leaf Season

Each fall our vacuum trucks face heavier workloads as piles of leaves are raked to the curb. Yard waste collection crews work hard to balance the increased workload, running as early and as late as safety allows. Here are a few ways you can help us collect quickly: 

  • Do not place leaves in bags or your trash cart. Rake them to the curb, where our vacuum trucks can collect. 
  • Separate your leaves from other yard waste - avoid mixing them into piles with sticks and branches. 
  • Make sure that your yard waste is easy to access, and not blocked by vehicles or other items. 
  • Keep yard waste out of our stormwater system by placing 10 feet or more away from storm drains. 
  • Our trucks cannot collect dirt, mulch, or rocks. These items damage our trucks and can lead to “dusting” streets while collecting.

Grass Recycling

Town of Apex encourages the use of mulching blades on mowing equipment. Lawn clippings usually do not need to be bagged. Recycling grass clippings can reduce your fertilizer needs, improve your soil, and does not contribute to thatch. 

Composting

In an effort to divert inappropriate materials from Wake County landfills, the Town of Apex encourages the use of compost bins to help residents dispose of yard waste.

More information

If you have a question regarding your collection day, or to report missed collection, contact Customer Service at (919) 362-8676.