DPW Offers Seasonal Yard Clean-Up Tips

The City's Department of Public Works is continuing leaf collection and composting in parks and greenspaces. Curbside yard waste pickup will run through November 30, and residents may also drop off yard waste at the Recycling Center.

The DPW Stormwater Division, as part of its “Think Blue” public awareness campaign, provides “Rake It or Leaf It?” best practices when it comes to autumn yard work (and has produced a YouTube video to make the point humorously: portsnh.co/rakeorleaf). Leaves and grass clippings can be a source of water pollution, or they can be a valuable source of nutrients for overwintering lawns and gardens. Mulched grass clippings provide a source of slow-release nutrients, reducing the amount of fertilizer needed next spring to half or none. A thin layer of mulched leaves also provides winter cover for local pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. 

Blue, the City’s Water Division mascot says, “Never dispose of leaves or clippings in or near storm drains, drainage channels (where rain or melting snow drains), wetlands or water bodies!” 

Yard waste is collected by the DPW on the same day as regular solid waste. For disposal, residents should put yard waste on the curb in a paper bag or reusable, clearly marked “Yard Waste” container to be picked up by DPW staff. Yard waste containers should contain only leaves, grass clippings, or plant material – no dirt, gravel, rocks, plant pots, debris, dog waste, or other contaminants. Yard waste bags, when placed on the curb, should also not weigh more than fifty pounds each. Residents of Portsmouth can drop off yard waste to be composted at the City’s Recycling Center located at 680 Peverly Hill Road. There is a $15 fee for two cubic yards of yard waste and a $25 fee for four cubic yards.