Yard Waste
Free
Backyard Composting Classes!!! Click to learn more.
Help Bounce Leaves and Grass Out of the Trash!
Yard waste is a valuable, reusable resource that should be composted and not thrown out with the trash. Eleven percent of our landfill is yard waste. Reduce the amount of grass, leaves and yard debris that are sent to the landfill by composting instead. Composting is a natural recycling process that creates material to fertilize, retain moisture, and improve soil structure.
Johnson County government and local cities are working together to restrict yard waste from being disposed of in landfills. Instead, yard waste can be managed on your property, transported to a drop-off facility, or collected curbside for composting.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Yard Waste
Leave grass clippings on the lawn with a mulching mower. Not only do the grass clippings help retain
moisture, they also return up to 25% of the nitrogen needed to fertilize the soil. The K-State Research
and Extension encourages “grass-cycling” and their research proves it does not lead to thatch.
Up to three inches of leaves can be mulched back into a lawn at a time with a mulching mower, reducing
the amount of yard waste generated for disposal.
Backyard Composting
Leaves, grass and even food scraps can be composted in your backyard! A compost pile is a simple way to
manage yard waste and food waste on site. In as little as three months, you can have rich, black compost
to use on your garden and lawn. K-State Research and Extension has many great publications available to help
you get started on your backyard composting system. Be sure to check with your city’s ordinances on backyard
composting before you plan or build your receptacle. The document
Making and Using Compost has even
more information.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Locations: These programs accept yard waste for a fee. No plastic bags allowed. See their websites for details.
Suburban Lawn and Garden
139th and Wyandotte, Kansas City, MO
(816) 941-2438
Deffenbaugh Industries
I-435 and Holiday Drive, Shawnee, KS
(913) 631-3300
Planet Marrs Recycling
2701 Roe Lane, Kansas City, KS (I-35 and Roe)
(866) 463-8997
City of Olathe Composting – Olathe residents only.
127th and Hedge Lane, Olathe, KS
(913) 971-9311
