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Leaf and yard waste in Needham, MA

Raked autumn leaves and brown paper yard-waste bags at the edge of a lawn on a Needham, Massachusetts street under bare maples

Leaf Sundays, the November schedule

The RTS is open on Sundays in November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for leaves only. The town lists Nov 1, Nov 8, Nov 15, Nov 22 and Nov 29. As of November 6 the four still ahead are Nov 8, 15, 22 and 29. One town page says the Sunday hours start at 10:30, so arrive a little after 10:30 if you want to avoid a wait.

Sunday is leaves only, for Needham residents with a sticker on the vehicle. Landscapers and contractors are not permitted on Leaf Sundays. The RTS is also open on regular days: Tuesday to Thursday 7 to 4, Friday 7 to noon and Saturday 7 to 4. It is closed Wednesday, Nov 11 (Veterans Day) and Thanksgiving Day, and open Wednesday Nov 25 (7 to 4), Friday Nov 27 (7 to noon) and Saturday Nov 28 (7 to 4).

Bags, brush and what goes where

Leaves and grass clippings may be brought in any container, but plastic bags must be emptied before you dump. Paper bags can go straight into the leaf pile. Keep leaves and grass apart from brush and branches, which go in the separate brush area.

Pumpkins (candle wax removed), houseplants out of their pots, and potting soil go with the leaves. Wreaths and invasive plants that have gone to seed go in a yellow trash bag. Food scraps do not go in the leaf pile; the RTS has green food-waste containers next to the textile and book bins.

Compost, rules and what if you miss the Sunday

Needham makes compost from its leaves and sells it back cheap: a 30-gallon barrel is free for residents and a cubic yard is $4. Bring your own container and pay at the main office first.

If you miss a Leaf Sunday, nothing is lost. The RTS takes leaves, grass and brush on every regular day all year. The Sunday opening just spreads out the rush. The sticker is the rule: no sticker, no entry.

Leaf cleanup is a big job on a Needham lot. A half trailer of leaves and branches is $319 and a full one is $519. We load the piles, bags and brush you have gathered and carry them from the back yard to the trailer. Text a photo of the lot.

Needham leaf season 2026 (town dates)

  1. Sun Nov 8

    Leaf Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., leaves only, residents only.

  2. Wed Nov 11

    RTS closed for Veterans Day.

  3. Sun Nov 15, Sun Nov 22

    Leaf Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  4. Wed Nov 25 to Sat Nov 28

    Regular hours around Thanksgiving; closed Thursday Nov 26.

  5. Sun Nov 29

    Last Leaf Sunday of 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  6. Dec onward

    Leaves, grass and brush at regular hours, Tuesday to Saturday.

Local resources in Needham

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

Does Needham pick up leaves at the curb?

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No. Needham has no curbside collection. Leaves go to the RTS, and every Sunday in November the RTS opens for leaves only.

Can I use plastic bags for leaves in Needham?

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You can carry leaves in plastic bags, but you must empty them out at the RTS. Paper bags can go straight into the pile.

What are the Needham leaf drop-off hours?

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Sundays in November, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., leaves only. Regular days are Tuesday to Thursday 7 to 4, Friday 7 to noon, Saturday 7 to 4.

Where does Needham put brush and branches?

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In the brush and branches area at the RTS, apart from leaves. Residents may bring brush any regular day with a sticker.

Sources

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

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