Can I bag my leaves for collection in Lexington? Here’s what the city will pick up

Lexington’s trees are putting on a vivid and spectacular display, but their leaves are starting to fall.

For those looking to clear them away, Lexington has multiple options to dispose of leaves this year.

For those on city waste collection, officials said yard waste will be picked up on regular garbage collection days. You should fill gray yard waste carts first, then use paper yard waste bags for additional leaf collection, city officials said.

Garbage crews will collect yard waste carts, while private contractors will collect paper yard waste bags. Yard waste should never be placed in plastic bags, city officials said.

Residents who need a gray yard cart or who have a broken cart should call LexCall at 311 or submit a request online at lexingtonky.gov/lexcall.

Leaves raked to the curb and not put in bags will not be collected, and the city asks residents to never put leaves or yard waste in the street. That clogs storm drains, leading to flooding and traffic hazards.

Yard waste and leaves also can be taken to Haley Pike Waste Management Facility at 4216 Hedger Lane. The facility is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Throughout the year, Fayette County residents can take up to two pickup truck loads of yard waste to Haley Pike for free each month. From Oct. 27 to the end of 2025, the city will waive fees for additional drop-offs beyond two per month for Fayette County residents. Proof of residency is required.

Don’t feel like raking?

Keeping your leaves where they fall is an easy, earth-friendly option. Leaves can be mulched using lawn mowers and are also great for backyard composting, city officials said.

Free leaf chutes are available to help funnel leaves into carts or yard bags. There is a limit of one chute per household. While supplies last, you can pick up leaf chutes from:

• Lexington’s Electronic Recycling Center at 1306 Versailles Road; open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
• The Lexington Senior Center, 195 Life Lane; open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More information about leaf disposal can be found at lexingtonky.gov/leaves

Beth Musgrave

Lexington Herald-Leader

Beth Musgrave has covered government and politics for the Herald-Leader for more than a decade. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has worked as a reporter in Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Washington D.C. Support my work with a digital subscription