Leaf Disposal/Compost

The City of Battle Creek contracts with Republic Services for curbside trash pickup in the city limits, which includes yard waste/leaf pickup from early April to December. Yard waste pick up this year is April 3 through December 8, 2023.

Items must be in the paper bags made for this purpose, available at most area grocery/hardware stores, or in containers clearly marked as "yard waste." Labels for personally-purchased containers are available from city Utility Billing at City Hall, 10 N. Division St. or at the Department of Public Works, 150 S. Kendall St.

Republic Services also offers rental containers for yard waste. Call 269-216-8008 for more information.

Each bag/container cannot exceed 50 pounds. Personally-purchased containers cannot exceed 32 gallons. No plastic bags, please.

Disposal Options

You have several options, including:

• Seasonal curbside pickup (see above).
• Hire a private contractor to collect your leaves; many will provide free estimates.
• Mow them with your lawn mower and leave them as a natural mulch for your lawn.
• Compost them in a corner of your yard, or haul them in bulk to the city’s residential drop-off compost site. Brice Pit is located at 715 W. River Road. Take Bedford Road south to River, turn right (just past Budget Self-Storage). Brice Pit is approximately a quarter-mile down, on the left.
  Current hours are 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday/holidays. 
  Please note that weather events requiring staff cleanup may delay the gates opening. Again, no plastic bags, please, and no contractor dumping.

Burning Leaves

Burning leaves within city limits is prohibited, even with a burn permit.

More Information

Please contact Republic Services at 269-216-8008 or the City of Battle Creek at 269-966-3507 with additional questions.