The rain stops, the sun breaks through, and your yard looks great—except for the mountain of clippings, branches, and bags your landscapers “forgot” to take. 

It happens all the time after big trims, new plantings, or storm cleanups. In Queens, there is a right way to move that material off your curb without fines, missed pickups, or extra mess. This guide walks you through your options step by step—from what the City will collect to when you should call a private hauler—so your yard waste removal is fast, legal, and responsible.

What NYC will—and won’t—collect

Before you lift a single bag, make sure you are playing by New York City’s rules. Knowing what DSNY collects—and what it does not—will save you time, tickets, and back-and-forth.

The big picture

  • Curbside Composting is now citywide and weekly: DSNY picks up leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper every week on your recycling day, across all five boroughs.
  • Separation is mandatory: Residents must set out compostable material separately. The City has moved into enforcement, with fines in effect in 2025 after the grace period.

The landscaper exception (the rule that trips everyone up)

If a professional created the debris, DSNY won’t take it. When a landscaper, contractor, or other hired pro produces the waste, they are responsible for lawful disposal. Setting it out for municipal pickup can result in missed collection or violations.

The basics for residents (when the yard waste is yours)

  • You may use lidded bins up to 55 gallons (lined with clear plastic, paper, or compostable bags) or paper lawn & leaf bags or clear plastic bags for overflow.
  • Twigs and branches can be bundled with twine and placed next to your bin/bags.
  • Check your collection schedule for your specific block before setting out.

Your options if the landscapers left a mess

Once you know the rules, pick the easiest lawful way to make the pile disappear—without moving it twice.

Option A: Call the landscaper back

  • Ask for pickup as part of the job scope: Many contracts assume haul-away; if it is missing, you can request an add-on or negotiate a courtesy pickup for first-time clients.
  • Put disposal in writing next time: Specify who hauls green waste, where it goes (composting facility or transfer station), and by when.

Option B: Hire a private hauler for a one-time pickup

  • Good for: contractor-generated piles, large volumes, or mixed loads (branches plus lumber, soil, or broken planters).
  • Ask about sorting and diversion: Reputable providers separate compostables and recyclables, minimizing landfill.
  • Expect: volume-based pricing with surcharges for very heavy items (wet logs, soil) or long carries from the backyard.
  • Use DSNY’s weekly curbside composting: Bag correctly, bundle branches, and set out on your recycling day.
  • Keep bags clean: Remove trash, stones, plastic plant pots, and landscape fabric that contaminate loads.
  • Consider drop-off bins: if you miss a pickup or need extra capacity, the city’s program includes Smart Composting Bins and drop-off sites.

How to prep a pile for smooth pickup or hauling

Five minutes of staging saves an hour of headaches—and keeps crews and sidewalks safe.

Keep the stream clean

  • No contaminants: Pull out plastic pots, irrigation tubing, metal stakes, and twine that is not a natural fiber.
  • Go light on dirt: Shake soil from roots; most municipal programs and many haulers avoid loose soil for weight and contamination reasons.

Cut to size and bundle

  • Branches: Cut to manageable lengths and tie with twine; avoid tape or wire that can jam grinders.
  • Leaves and grass: Use paper lawn bags or clear plastic liners inside a lidded bin; keep bags dry so they do not tear.

Stage smart

  • Create a clear path: from yard to curb or truck, especially around stoops and narrow side alleys common in Queens.
  • Keep the weight reasonable: if a bag needs two people, split it into two.

Yard waste removal in mixed loads: special handling

Not all “green” waste is created equal. A few common items require extra steps or a different destination.

Stumps and heavy logs

Many haulers accept them but price by weight; consider cutting down the diameter and letting the wood dry to reduce cost.

Soil, sod, and rock

These fall under “heavy debris.” Check weight limits and disposal rules before loading; many trucks limit how much they can legally carry per trip.

Treated wood and lumber

Not compostable. Keep pressure-treated posts, painted boards, or decking separate from clippings and branches.

Invasive or diseased plants

Bag securely and ask your hauler or DSNY about recommended disposal so seeds or pathogens do not spread.

Queens-specific realities: buildings, stoops, and storms

A few local quirks affect timing and setout in Queens—from historic rowhouses to holiday suspensions.

Time it right

Pickups follow the recycling schedule, but service is suspended on certain holidays; set out the evening before collection or per DSNY’s latest setout window.

Think like a property manager

If you live in a walk-up or larger building, confirm lobby and corridor protection with your super, and avoid blocking egress while staging bags.

Weather-proof the plan

Summer storms soak bags and spike weights. Keep paper lawn bags under cover until set out, and use bin lids that latch.

What if I run a business or manage a property?

Rules for commercial generators differ from residential. If you manage a storefront, HOA, or multifamily property, plan accordingly.

For businesses and commercial landscapers

If yard or plant waste is more than 10% of your monthly waste stream, you must separate organics and dispose of them properly through commercial carting.

For residential property owners

Owners are responsible for proper setout and can be fined for violations when compostables are mixed with trash. Start with signage and an easy bin setup for tenants.

Cost and timing: what private haulers consider

If you go the private route, a few inputs drive the quote. Share specifics up front to keep surprises off the invoice.

What affects price

  • Volume and density: Wet logs, saturated bags, and soil weigh more and cost more.
  • Access: Long backyard carries, stairs, or no driveway add time.
  • Sorting needs: Mixed loads cost more than clean green waste.

How to save

  • Consolidate: One big pickup beats three small ones.
  • Dry it out: Keep bags covered so they do not soak up a storm.
  • Label clearly: Separate branches, leaves, and lumber to speed loading.

Fast checklist: turn the pile into a plan

When you want a quick win, follow this short sequence, and you will avoid almost every common headache.

The five-step flow

  • Confirm the source: if a pro generated the waste, ask them to haul it or hire a private hauler; do not set it out for DSNY.
  • Check your day: look up your block’s recycling/compost pickup schedule and any holiday suspensions.
  • Stage cleanly: bag leaves and clippings; bundle branches with twine; keep bins under 55 gallons with tight lids.
  • Keep it dry and light: store bags under cover until set out or pickup.
  • Document once: snap a photo before and after for your records and contractor conversations.

From “mountain” to “mulch” in a day

Landscapers leaving a pile behind is frustrating, but the fix is straightforward when you follow Queens-friendly rules. Confirm who created the debris, choose either DSNY’s weekly composting stream or a private hauler, and stage your material so it moves fast and clean. 

With a clear plan and a little prep, yard waste removal becomes a simple curb-to-compost story—and you get your sidewalk, view, and weekend back.

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