The town collects leaves and grass clippings year-round in paper or biodegradable bags. 

• Collection occurs on brush collection days. 
• Up to 10 bags may be collected per household each week.

Requirements

• Keep soil, trash and debris out of bags. 
• Place bags:
  • Within 4 feet of the curb but not on the curb.
  • Where they do not interfere with traffic or water drainage.
  • Where they do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants or water meters.

The town collects woody material from trees and shrubs weekly as part of its brush collection.

• Most homes receive collection on their regular garbage collection days. 
• Homes on the following streets receive collection on Wednesday:
  • Lydia and East Margaret lanes
  • Streets including Caine, North and South Cameron, East Corbin, Huddle, East King, Mitchell, East Orange, East Queen, East Tryon, and East Union.

Requirements

• Keep trash and loose leaves out of brush.
• Ensure brush is no larger than 6 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter.
• Place brush within 4 feet of the curb, 3 feet away from obstructions and not below trees or power lines.
• Stack limbs in one pile, with all limbs in the same direction.
• Place small amounts of brush in biodegradable paper bags. Or tie small amounts into bundles weighing less than 30 pounds. Use jute or sisal twine for the bundles. Do not use plastic or cotton twine.
• Allow a bagful or several armfuls of sticks to accumulate before placing at the curb.
• Christmas trees can be collected with brush with restrictions. See the Additional Information section.

The town collects loose leaves November through January. 

• Collection occurs once per week, depending on the amount of leaves and weather. 
• Collection does not occur on town-observed holidays.

Requirements

• Keep trash, sticks and other debris out of loose leaves and bags. 
• Place loose leaves and bags:
  • Within 4 feet of the curb but not on the curb.
  • Where they do not interfere with traffic or water drainage.
  • Where they do not block sidewalks, fire hydrants or water meters.

The town collects Christmas trees with brush collection. Trees must be:

• Removed from the stand.
• Free of tinsel, ornaments, lights and other decorations.

Trees also may be brought to any of Orange County’s waste and recycling centers except the center on Bradshaw Quarry Road.

From November through January, public works employees will deliver leaves to those within an 8-mile radius of Hillsborough who would like the leaves for mulch or compost. Priority is given to Hillsborough residents.

• The minimum amount is half a truckload, or about 10 cubic yards.
• The delivery area must be accessible by a large truck.

To request a delivery, submit a work order or call the administrative support specialist.

Special Collections, Violations and Fees

Special collections of leaves or brush outside of normal collection days require a work order and a fee. The minimum fee is $130. Fees must be paid before collection is scheduled. Submit a work order or call the administrative support specialist.

Fees

Fees can be paid several ways. Contact the administrative support specialist for more information.

• Cash or check at the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. Do not place cash in the deposit box at the back of the building.
• Credit or debit card through the town's payments and donations website.

Violations

If yard waste does not comply with requirements, it will not be collected. An employee will leave information on the town's policy for the resident.

See our videos with information on managing fallen leaves.

• Add Native Plants to Your Yard — Consider managed landscape areas to reduce mowing. See the Sustainability Initiatives page for more information.

• Hillsborough Loose Leaf Collection — The town collects loose leaves about once per week November through January. 

• Leave the Leaves — Consider leaving leaves on your property for benefits to your yard and wildlife.