Yard Waste and Backyard Composting

Yard Waste Disposal

When disposed of properly, yard waste will turn into compost and can be used to improve soil and plant growth. Yard waste, such as grass, leaves, and sticks, cannot be placed in your garbage or recycling cart. Instead, dispose of these materials using one of these three methods: 

1. Residential Collection
2. Free Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites
3. Backyard Composting

Residential Yard Waste Collection

Weekly Collection

Signup has closed for seasonal yard waste subscription service in 2025. Seasonal Yard Waste Subscriptions for 2026 can be requested beginning in November 2025.

Seasonal service includes a 64-gallon yard waste cart and up to eight compostable bags collected each week. There is an annual fee. The 2025 fee is $119.06. This fee is not adjusted if service ends early in the season. Yard waste is collected on the same day as garbage collection. 

Yard waste collection is available from April 1 to November 30, weather permitting. Your subscription automatically renews each year. You must contact us to cancel your subscription.

One-Time Pick-Up

Requests for one-time yard waste pickups can be made for $4 per bag or bundle. Pick-up must be scheduled in advance! We require at least two business days' notice prior to your regularly scheduled garbage collection. Contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Team online or by phone. 

Yard Waste must be placed in a compostable bag or tied bundle next to your garbage cart ($4 per bag/bundle). See below for details. 

Preparing for Collection

• Yard waste collection is the same day as your garbage collection. For one-time pick-ups, contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Team at least two business days in advance to schedule.
• Place yard waste out by 6 a.m. on collection day. Keep three feet of space around your yard waste cart or bundles.
• All yard waste must be placed in a yard waste cart or a certified compostable bag.
• Yard waste bags or bundles cannot exceed 40 pounds or two feet in diameter and three feet in length.
• Tie bundles with twine or another compostable material.
• Not accepted: tree stumps, dirt, or rocks, and woody items more than three inches wide or three feet long.
• Yard waste service is not available as walk-up service.

 Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites 

Ramsey County operates seven drop-off sites for yard waste. All sites are free and open to Ramsey County residents. Please note: Dumping trailers and dump trucks aren't allowed. If you have a dumping trailer or dump truck, please use a commercial yard waste site. 

Accepted materials and hours vary by location. Many sites also have free compost and mulch available for residents to take. 

Site Locations

Ramsey County Yard Waste Drop-Off Site Details

Backyard Composting

Composting is a process that naturally breaks down organic materials. These include yard waste and food scraps. When your yard waste and food scraps break down, the material created is called "compost." Compost is a great natural soil additive that can be used to improve soil, help plants absorb nutrients, and fight plant pests and disease. Composting also diverts waste from the landfill and saves water!

Introduction to Backyard Composting

Check out this video from Ramsey County for information on how to start and maintain your backyard compost.

What Can Go in My Backyard Compost?

• Leaves, grass clippings, and twigs
• Food scraps, like banana peels and corn husks
• Coffee grounds, coffee filters, and plastic-free tea bags
• Small amounts of non-greasy paper and paper products, like dirty napkins, paper plates, and paper egg cartons

What Can't Go in My Backyard Compost?

• Compostable plastics
• Weeds that have begun to seed
• Meat, bones, grease, or dairy
• Pet waste

Some of these materials can be composted though our citywide food scraps (organics) recycling program. 

Learn more about food scraps and organics recycling.

Composting By the Numbers

• Approximately 28-38% of all waste is compostable.
• 25% of all household waste is compostable.