Meridian Will Launch Annual Leaf Composting Program
The city's Recycle the Fall initiative begins offering leaf collection services to residents starting October 20.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Landscaping
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The city of Meridian will launch its annual Recycle the Fall program on October 20 to assist residents with seasonal leaf disposal. This partnership with Republic Services provides free composting options to divert waste from local landfills.
Why it matters
The program aims to manage large volumes of autumn leaf waste efficiently by offering accessible curbside and drop-site collection options. By diverting this organic material, the city reduces the strain on the Ada County Landfill.
The program collected 1,131 tons, or 2.26 million pounds, of leaves in 2025. Residents are limited to 10 leaf bags per week for curbside collection.
The players
Republic Services
This company is a major waste management provider that partners with municipalities to facilitate recycling and composting services.
Ada County Landfill
The facility serves as the primary regional site for waste disposal and processes organic materials diverted from residential trash.
The details
Residents can place leaves in paper bags or yard debris carts for curbside pickup or utilize nine designated neighborhood drop sites. Collected materials are processed through a partnership with Republic Services to promote composting.
Timeline
Oct 20: Drop site locations open for residential leaf disposal.
Nov 2: Curbside collection begins for residential leaf bags.
Dec 4: Curbside collection ends for the program.
Dec 10: Neighborhood leaf drop sites close.
Dec 12: Ada County Landfill stops accepting leaves for program.
Culture Shift
The Recycle the Fall program follows a pattern set by other municipal composting initiatives aimed at reducing landfill dependency. This shift reflects a broader societal move toward sustainable waste management and the reduction of organic material in municipal landfills.
Residents must ensure their leaves are placed in paper bags or yard debris carts at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on regular trash days to participate. Following the 10-bag weekly limit will prevent collection delays during the program period.
The takeaway
Properly bagging leaves in paper or using dedicated yard carts helps the city process composting more efficiently. Residents should mark the December deadlines on their calendars to ensure all seasonal yard waste is cleared before drop sites close.
Further reading
Learn more about local waste management and seasonal maintenance on the Meridian Landscaping section.
More information
Find additional details on collection schedules and site locations via the Meridian leaf collection information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KBOI.
Live Poll
Do you support the allocation of city resources for annual curbside leaf composting programs?
