Yard Waste
Curbside Yard Waste Collection is provided as a weekly service for Richland County Residents.
Please Note: Each scheduled weekly collection will be limited to one of the following:
- A pile measuring approximately (6'x3'x2') six ft in length, three ft in width and two ft in height
- Volumes roughly equivalent to two curbside roll carts
- Six large 30 gallon yard waste bags
Place yard waste loosely in plastic trash bags or personal portable containers if possible or bundle and place within (6') six feet of curbside on your scheduled yard waste collection day by 7:00 AM. If used do NOT over-fill bags to where the bags could break. Do NOT stuff containers to where the debris cannot be easily removed. Do NOT place yard waste in the roadway where it could impede traffic in any manner. Loose piles of yard waste are also acceptable.
Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings and small tree limbs from routine yard maintenance. It does NOT include construction debris (boards, lumber, tile, bricks, etc.) or large amounts of sand or dirt. It does NOT include limbs, branches and trunks from trees larger than 4 inches in diameter which have been cut, blown down or has fall down. It also does NOT include debris from landscaping activities that is produced above and beyond routine yard maintenance.
Limbs can be no larger than 4 feet long and 4 inches in diameter (see picture). Tree stumps of any size will NOT be collected. Place limbs in piles for easy handling. All yard waste must be free from household garbage, litter or other non-yard waste material for collection service. Do NOT put yard waste in your garbage roll cart. Debris from a tree removal will NOT be picked up by the county curbside haulers. The resident is fully responsible for transportation and disposal of debris from a tree removal.. Trees that are cut down, or fall down must be taken to an approved drop-off center or Landfill Tree removal waste may be taken to the county C&D landfill on Caughman Road North where the tipping fee can be waived under certain circumstances
Please do not place limbs, branches or leaves in creeks, storm drains or drainage ditches. Such material should be at least 25 feet from a drainage structure. These materials obstruct drainage flow which increases the potential for flooding and mosquito problems.
How to measure a limb diameter. This limb is just over 4 inches and would NOT be accepted for curbside collection.
Tagged Piles
Your pile will be tagged if it is non-compliant with the reason for non-compliance given on the tag. You will have time to make the pile compliant prior to collection the next week. If no corrections are made, a citation can be issued and the pile becomes debris on a lot (per Ordinance 12-4), or illegal dumping.
The above pile would be tagged because it is non-compliant with Richland County pickup requirements. Richland County does not pick up tree trunks or any limbs larger than 4 inches in diameter.
Compliant Pile
Non-Compliant Pile
Ways To Keep Yard Waste From The Curb
Instead of bagging your grass after you mow, you can leave the clippings on the lawn. Your lawn will recycle the clippings, producing an environmentally healthy, beautiful lawn. Leaves and small shrubbery trimmings can be used as mulch around trees and bushes.
To turn leaves and branches into compost, find more information at: https://www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/recycle/compost.htm