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Leaf and yard waste pickup in Dedham, MA

Brown paper leaf bags and an open barrel of leaves at the curb of a Massachusetts street in late November

The fall 2026 calendar

The town runs 22 seasonal weeks in 2026, 11 gray and 11 maroon, on your regular recycling day. You are gray or maroon depending on your street. The guide lists every street, and the town runs a web calendar you can search by address at dedhamma.gov. The weeks still ahead of November 6 are:

  • Maroon: November 9 to 14, November 23 to 28 and December 7 to 11
  • Gray: November 16 to 20 and November 30 to December 4

Two of those weeks run into Saturday. Veterans Day (November 11) and Thanksgiving (November 26) push collection one day later for the rest of the week, so a Wednesday route comes Thursday and a Friday route comes Saturday. Put leaves out by 7:00 a.m. on the shifted day.

What to put out and how

Leaves, grass and other easily raked material go in paper yard bags or open barrels. The guide says biodegradable bags only and no plastic bags. Branches and brush must be under 3 inches in diameter, cut to 3-foot lengths, bundled and tied, and no heavier than 60 pounds. Larger limbs are not collected: the town's page says cut them down and have a private contractor dispose of them. The guide says to separate yard waste from trash and recycling and not to mix it with household items.

A rainy week matters. Wet leaves in paper bags split when lifted, so fill bags to about half and fold the top. Barrels are easier when it is wet.

After December 11, and what if your week is missed

The 2026 schedule ends with the maroon week of December 7 to 11, and the town has not posted 2027 weeks. This year's spring season started April 13, so expect something similar. The town page does not say whether a missed leaf week is made up. Boston Carting takes missed collections at 800-338-3867, and the DPW at 781-751-9350 can tell you what to expect.

There are two ways to deal with leaves before the last week. One is the Earth Machine compost bin: $25 from the Town Manager's Office, 781-751-9100, check to the Town of Dedham. One bin holds about four bags of leaves, and it takes food scraps too. The other is mulching leaves with a mower, which keeps them on the lawn.

When the curb is not enough

Fall cleanups outrun a two-bag-a-week system. A hedge removal, a storm that drops limbs thicker than 3 inches, or a whole yard of leaves after the last collection week will not fit. We haul yard debris by the trailer: $209 for a quarter, $319 for a half, $409 for three quarters and $519 for a full load. Single bags or boxes are $11 each. Text a photo of the pile and we confirm the price. A trailer load is the quick fix for a blocked driveway or a pile on a Dedham Square lawn that the town cannot take.

Dedham leaf and yard waste weeks, fall 2026

  1. Nov 2-6 (gray)

    Last day of this gray week is Friday, Nov 6.

  2. Nov 9-14 (maroon)

    Veterans Day moves collection one day later; the week runs to Saturday.

  3. Nov 16-20 (gray)

    Regular recycling day.

  4. Nov 23-28 (maroon)

    Thanksgiving moves collection one day later; the week runs to Saturday.

  5. Nov 30-Dec 4 (gray)

    Regular recycling day.

  6. Dec 7-11 (maroon)

    Last curbside week of 2026.

Local resources in Dedham

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Quick answers

When is leaf pickup in Dedham?

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On your recycling day in alternating weeks. The remaining 2026 weeks are maroon Nov 9-14, Nov 23-28 and Dec 7-11, and gray Nov 16-20 and Nov 30-Dec 4.

Can I use plastic bags for leaves in Dedham?

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No. Use paper yard bags, biodegradable bags or open barrels. Plastic bags are not accepted.

Does Dedham pick up branches?

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Yes, small ones: under 3 inches across, cut to 3-foot lengths, bundled and tied, up to 60 pounds. Bigger limbs need a private contractor.

How do I know if I'm a gray or maroon week?

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It depends on your street. The 2026 guide lists every street by day and week, and the town has an address-based web calendar.

What happens to leaves after December 11?

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The 2026 curbside schedule ends that week. The 2027 weeks are not posted yet.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Dedham before you go.

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