It’s that time of year again. No, not ski season (though we’re close). It’s Fall Clean-Up Week, when Teton County politely asks you to wrangle your yard debris before it freezes solid until May. Because apparently Mother Nature insists on shedding leaves and branches whether we like it or not.
Here’s what you actually need to know and why you should pretend to be excited about it.
🧹 The Official Scoop
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to gather up all your leaves, grass clippings, garden trimmings, and pumpkins and drop them off at designated sites. Composting is the goal, and yes, the county is watching to make sure you don’t sneak in that broken patio chair.
- Free compostable bags available starting Monday, Oct. 27 (while supplies last).
- One-Day Only Drop-Off at the Rodeo Grounds: Friday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. No curbside pickup, no “but I was just five minutes late.”
- Free Yard Waste Days at the Trash Transfer Station: Nov. 1–8 (regular hours). First 500 lbs per household is free, because who doesn’t love free dirt privileges?
- Pumpkins welcome — just remove candles, paint, and any Halloween glitter that will live forever.
Full details live here: tetoncountywy.gov/Fall-Clean-Up.
🌱 Why Bother?
Because composting keeps all that organic matter out of the landfill, and it’s an easy way to feel virtuous while sipping your pumpkin spice latte. Plus, you’ll have bragging rights for doing something “sustainable” that doesn’t require solar panels or a Tesla.
Shout-out to the local crews doing the dirty work — New Waste Removal, Westbank Sanitation, Arbor Works Organics, Teton Trash Removal, and our trusty Town & County teams.
🧤 Insider Tips (From Someone Who’s Dumped a Pumpkin at Midnight)
- Don’t show up before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds; this isn’t Costco.
- Compostables only. No trash, dog waste, or “creative interpretations” of organic material.
- Those 500 free pounds go fast, so plan ahead unless you enjoy traffic lines of Subarus full of leaves.
- If you want those free compostable bags, hit Town Hall or the County Recycling Center early; they vanish faster than Jackson housing listings.
It’s time to show your yard who’s boss before the snow buries your to-do list. Grab your rake, pull on your flannel, and toss those leaves like you mean it. You’ll feel good, your neighbors will thank you, and you can go back to pretending it’s ski season again.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
