With the fall season approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill is changing how it collects leaves.

The town is now only accepting leaves and yard trimmings in containers like town yard carts, paper yard bags, or personal yard cans with tight-fitting lids. Starting July 1, only the yard carts will be accepted.

Accepted containers for leaf collection. Starting July 1 2026, only town yard carts will be accepted. (Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.)

The town council voted for the change at a September 10 meeting, and in an interview with 97.9 The Hill, Mayor Jess Anderson explained how it can be both costly and time consuming for public works staff to collect loose piles off curbs and streets.

“There’s also some indication that it may have some health risks to our workers,” Anderson said. “So we are changing how we do that so folks will have to put their leaves in paper bags or in bins they get from the town.”

The collection policy allows households up to five containers per week, and residents can purchase town carts for $75. In July, the price will increase to $100. The town will continue collecting one pile of small branches, brush, and limbs per week until June 30, after which the town will no longer collect loose piles. Large piles can be collected curbside for $125. 

“I know that it has been a really nice amenity, and we also are very appreciative for the public for understanding that it’s a way that we can cut costs and also a way that we can protect our workers,” Anderson said. “And we’re encouraging folks to leave their leaves wherever possible, so you can put them off to places that you don’t mind and let them compost and just be part of our environmental sustainability efforts.”

Orange County’s Leave Your Leaves campaign encourages residents to leave their leaves where they fall to help fertilize soil, support wildlife, and reduce flooding. Receive a free yard sign when you pledge.

To learn more about the town’s changes to loose leaf collection, click here.

Featured photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

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