When does Joplin pick up leaves?

The program starts the first Monday after Thanksgiving each fall. Two crews (Streets S1-S5 and Parks P1-P5) work ten areas in numeric order, weather permitting - timing per street isn't fixed, so watch the city's daily-updated progress map.

Where can I drop off leaves or grass in Joplin?

Free at the City Compost Facility, 3457 West Eddy Lane (Turkey Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant): Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm. Empty the leaves/grass out of bags - bags go home with you. Residents can also take free compost from the same site.

Do leaves need to be bagged in Joplin?

No - curbside piles must be unbagged, at the curb line, free of limbs/brush/rocks, and kept off water meters.

Joplin, MO Bulk Trash & Yard Waste Pickup

Measured 2026-09-28 · QA pending

Joplin, MO programs: Leaf collection: Seasonal: begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving. Ten crew areas (S1-S5 Streets crew, P1-P5 Parks crew) worked in numeric order, weather permitting; a live progress map is updated at the end of each business day. No fixed per-household dates. · Bulk: Free resident drop-off: leaves/grass at the Compost Facility (3457 W Eddy Lane; unbagged; no limbs/brush); separate free Limb and Brush Drop-off program and Bulky Item Drop-Off.

What about bulky or special collection?

Programs beyond regular trash collection — schedules, materials and providers.

Program	When	Rules	Provider
Leaf collection	Seasonal: begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving. Ten crew areas (S1-S5 Streets crew, P1-P5 Parks crew) worked in numeric order, weather permitting; a live progress map is updated at the end of each business day. No fixed per-household dates.	Rake leaves to the curb AT THE PROPERTY LINE - never into the street (storm drains clog; the sweeping truck may bypass the area). No limbs, brush or rocks in piles. Do NOT bag leaves. Keep piles off water meters and manhole covers.	City of Joplin Public Works + Parks (municipal curbside leaf program)
Bulk	Free resident drop-off: leaves/grass at the Compost Facility (3457 W Eddy Lane; unbagged; no limbs/brush); separate free Limb and Brush Drop-off program and Bulky Item Drop-Off.		City of Joplin (drop-off programs)

Leaf collection schedule by zone

Zone	Day	Covers
P1	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Parks crew area 1; 2 mapped polygon(s)
P2	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Parks crew area 2; 1 mapped polygon(s)
P3	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Parks crew area 3; 2 mapped polygon(s)
P4	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Parks crew area 4; 1 mapped polygon(s)
P5	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Parks crew area 5; 1 mapped polygon(s)
S1	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Streets crew area 1; 3 mapped polygon(s)
S2	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Streets crew area 2; 1 mapped polygon(s)
S3	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Streets crew area 3; 1 mapped polygon(s)
S4	Seasonal - crews work areas in order 1 through 5	Streets crew area 4; 1 mapped polygon(s)

Prep rules & exceptions

Do this before it goes to the curb, or it stays there.

Leaf prep rules — Rake leaves to the curb AT THE PROPERTY LINE - never into the street (storm drains clog; the sweeping truck may bypass the area). No limbs, brush or rocks in piles. Do NOT bag leaves. Keep piles off water meters and manhole covers.
Crew sequence and rain delays — Streets (S) and Parks (P) crews each work their areas in order 1 through 5. Rain pauses the program - leaves must be dry for the vacuum truck. The progress map is updated at the end of each business day.
Compost Facility rules — Leaves and grass must be emptied from bags at the Compost Facility - bags leave with you. Limbs and brush are not accepted there (use the free Limb and Brush Drop-off). Residents may take free compost (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm); commercial transporting is prohibited.