A city truck picks up yard waste in south Lawrence in this file photo from May 18, 2009.

The City of Lawrence’s Solid Waste Division will begin yard waste collection two weeks earlier than planned this year, the city announced in a news release Friday.

Yard waste, which is composted at a city facility, will be collected separately from trash starting Monday.

Guidelines for yard waste collection are listed below:

• Set out yard waste by 6 a.m. on Mondays in cans, city trash carts (not recycling carts), yard waste carts or compostable paper bags.

• No container should weigh more than 65 pounds, unless it is a wheeled city cart. Yard waste should not extend more than 12 inches above the top of the container.

• Plastic bags may not be used for yard waste, which includes leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, brush and prunings from trees and shrubs.

• Bundles of tree and brush trimmings are accepted. Bundles must not exceed 5 feet in length or 18 inches in diameter and must not weigh more than 65 pounds. Bundles must be tied with a durable string or twine (not wire or duct tape).

Alternatives to setting out yard waste for curbside collection are mulch mowing and backyard composting. Backyard composting bins are $40 each (limit one per household) and are available for sale to Lawrence residents by calling (785) 832-3030.

Visit http://www.lawrenceks.org/swm for a complete list of yard waste collection guidelines.