Leaf and yard waste removal in Belmont, MA
What the DPW takes this fall
The DPW cut the schedule for July through October 2026, with a single designated pickup per blue or green week. That changes now: weekly pickups run from November to early December, and the 2026-2027 calendar puts the weekly window at November 2 to December 10, on your trash day instead of your recycle day. Call 617-993-2680 before your last raking if you are unsure. Accepted: leaves, twigs, grass, weeds, flowers, plants and hedge and shrub prunings under 3 feet and 1 inch. Not accepted: tree limbs over that size, rocks, mulch, soil, food scraps, animal waste, plastic bags and trash.
Containers, stickers and weight
Each barrel needs two yard waste stickers, which are free at the DPW (19 Moore St) and the Town Clerk's office. Paper bags need to be biodegradable and 30 gallons. Anything over 50 pounds is a problem, and wet leaves hit that limit fast; a 32-gallon barrel of soaked maple leaves can be heavy enough that bags tear on the way to the curb. Belmont lists no yard waste drop-off site, so the fall choices are curbside or a private haul. A quick test: if you cannot lift the bag with one hand without it sagging, it is probably over the limit and will tear in transit.
Hillside lots and big cleanups
Belmont Hill and the streets near Beaver Brook Reservation have mature oaks and maples, and lots that drop a dozen barrels at a time. With the 50 lb limit, one large yard can need 15 or more containers. JunkRun prices yard debris by the trailer: a quarter load is $209, a half load $319, and a full 12 cubic yard trailer $519. That is cost-effective for a one-time clearing of storm branches over 3 feet, which the curbside program refuses. There is no yard waste drop-off in town, so a big one-time clearing has no municipal option.
Before you set out leaves in Belmont
- Use 30-gallon paper bags or a 32-gallon barrel marked with two yard waste stickers
- Keep each container at or under 50 lb
- Set out on your recycling day, by 7am
- Cut brush under 3 feet and 1 inch thick
- Leave out plastic bags, soil, rocks, mulch and food scraps
- Confirm the last pickup week on the 2026-2027 calendar
Local resources in Belmont
Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.
- Town
Belmont Department of Public Works
Accepts: Mattress-pickup booking and payment (617-993-2680)
Free yard waste stickers and the mattress program are handled here. In Belmont itself.
19 Moore St, Belmont, MA 02478
Quick answers
When is the last yard waste pickup in Belmont this year?
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It runs weekly from November into early December. The DPW has not posted the end date in its page text; confirm on the calendar or at 617-993-2680.
Can I use plastic bags for leaves?
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No. Plastic bags make the yard waste ineligible.
Sources
Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Belmont before you go.
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “There will be one pickup for blue weeks and one for green weeks during that month.” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “weekly pickups occurring from November to early December” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont Collection Calendar 2026-2027: “except between November 2 and December 10 ... every week on your TRASH DAY” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “Leaves, twigs, grass, weeds, flowers, plants, hedge and shrub pruning's less than 3' long and 1" or less in diameter” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “No food scraps, animal waste, trash of any kind, soil, or plastic bags. No tree limbs or branches greater than 3' long and 1" in diameter. No rocks or mulch.” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “32 gallon barrels properly labeled with 2 yard waste stickers or 30 gallon biodegradable paper bags, not weighing more than 50 pounds” · accessed October 31, 2026
- Belmont DPW: Yard Waste: “Yard waste stickers are free and available at the DPW office and the Town Clerk's office.” · accessed October 31, 2026