Alpena residents planning to clear leaves, grass and other yard debris in 2026 will need to follow a new curbside requirement: lawn waste must be placed in composting bags. The city will not collect lawn waste placed in plastic bags.

The Alpena News reported Sept. 30 that the composting bags will be required for lawn waste picked up at the curb. The city says the change is intended to make its composting program less labor intensive, eliminate the landfilling of black plastic bags and speed up the composting process. Brown paper composting lawn bags are available from several local retailers.

2026 pickup dates

The announced schedule includes three collection periods. The first two will accept both bagged lawn material and brush:

  • Oct. 5: Bagged lawn material and brush
  • Nov. 2: Bagged lawn material and brush
  • Nov. 30 or Dec. 7: Bagged lawn material only, depending on weather

The schedule may change. The city is expected to issue a news release if dates or instructions are changed or clarified.

How to prepare materials for collection

Residents must place bagged lawn waste and brush at the curbline by 6 a.m. Monday. Items put out after that deadline will not be collected, and materials should not be placed at the curb more than 48 hours before Monday morning.

The program is limited to residential properties. Residents should also expect that bags and brush may remain in front of their homes for up to four days before pickup.

Bagged lawn waste must contain lawn waste only. The city will not accept soil, bushes or household waste. Brush should be stacked with the cut ends facing the street, and each pile must be no larger than 6 feet by 6 feet. The city describes that maximum as roughly the size of a standard couch or three sections of standard sidewalk stacked about waist high.

Brush piles and bagged material should be placed separately. If material is not collected for one of the stated reasons, city employees will leave a door hanger explaining the problem. Any material left in the right of way must be removed within seven days to avoid code-enforcement involvement.

Drop-off option

Residents who need another disposal option can take bagged lawn material to the Department of Public Works building at 1001 Long Lake Avenue. The drop-off site is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brush is not accepted at that drop-off location.