Robbinsdale Leaders Offer Tips To Get Most Out of New Yard Waste Rules
Robbinsdale city leaders are encouraging residents to think beyond the yard waste bin after a new solid waste hauler brought new rules for getting rid of yard waste.
“Service started this April, and when service started, part of that service was a 96-gallon bin for your yard waste, and five additional bags of yard waste per week, which has been great,” said Mayor Brad Sutton.
Sutton and other city leaders say there were issues with the city’s previous hauler allowing for unlimited yard waste pick-up each week during the season.
“Some people were, depending on where you were on the route, they’d get their yard waste picked up on time,” said Sutton. “Others might see a delay, a significant delay, if at all. So that was part of a problem that we were looking to solve.”
Sutton and others say making the most of the capacity that is allowed is key to a better experience. Sutton said he often has about 35 bags’ worth of yard waste each fall, so he emphasized that residents can simply spread out the number of bags they put out each week over the fall. The last week of November is now the last week the haulers will take yard waste away, which is extended a couple of weeks from years past.
Others encouraged residents to mulch the leaves with a mower before putting them in the bags. That drastically reduced the space a yard full of leaves might take up, thereby maximizing the capacity in the bags.
“This is meant to drive consistency, some fairness, and to make sure people have a reliable trash service and yard waste service that’s going to continuously remove those bags,” said Sutton.

