Leaves & Yard Waste

Yard Waste & Leaf Disposal in Auburn

Auburn residents have a convenient, no‑cost option for disposing of brush, leaves, logs, and other natural wood materials.

Oldcastle/Jolly Gardener
481 Springwater Road, Poland
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 6:00AM–6:00PM
Cost: Free for Auburn residents

What you can bring:
• Brush
• Leaves
• Logs
• Other natural, unprocessed wood

What you cannot bring:
• Stumps
• Processed or painted/treated wood products

Please note: There is no local brush pile in Auburn. All yard waste drop‑off should be directed to Oldcastle/Jolly Gardener.

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Mulching Your Leaves: A Simple Way to Help Your Lawn & the Environment

Instead of raking and hauling leaves away, you can also choose to mow/mulch them right into your lawn. This practice is surprisingly beneficial and recommended by many environmental and horticultural experts.

Why Mulching Helps:

• Improves soil health: Shredded leaves break down quickly, adding organic matter and natural nutrients back into the soil.
• Feeds your lawn: Mulched leaves return nitrogen and other essential elements to your grass, often reducing the need for fertilizer.
• Reduces waste: Fewer bags, less hauling, and less material entering the waste stream.
• Protects pollinators & wildlife: Leaf litter provides habitat for beneficial insects and overwintering species.
• Saves time: Mowing leaves is usually much faster than raking and bagging.

How to Mulch:

• Use a standard mower — no special equipment needed.
• Set the mower to a higher setting and mow over leaves until they’re finely shredded.
• Ensure shredded leaves don’t mat on top of the grass; if needed, make an extra pass.
• Continue mulching periodically throughout the fall as more leaves drop.

Remember: It's important to keep yard waste away from storm drains and culverts to prevent flooding and to allow rain and melted snow to flow freely into the stormwater system.