Residential collection services

Residential yard debris and organics services

Yard debris banner

Yard debris and food waste are valuable resources. Service options for curbside yard debris and food waste vary based on your service address. 

Fall leaf disposal coupon

The annual Fall Leaf Coupon Program offers free recycling for leaves October 1 – December 31, courtesy of the City of Vancouver and Clark County Public Works. An average of around 2,000 tons of leaves are disposed each year by Clark County residents through the program.

In addition to cleaning up your yard, you are also helping to prevent storm drains from getting clogged with leaves that can cause rainwater to pool and flood streets. Keep our neighborhoods safe and clean by avoiding blowing or raking leaves into the street.

Other options for leaf disposal include backyard composting, subscribing to the organics or yard debris service through Waste Connections.

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  • Clark County residents only (not available for commercial loads).
  • Fill out a printed coupon and take leaves to a designated drop-off location.
  • LEAVES ONLY, up to 5 cubic yards.
  • No trimmings, yard debris or mixed loads with the coupon; these items will be charged at the regular yard debris rate.
  • Cover your load.
  • Leaves must not be in bags.
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  • Print a coupon: English, Español, Русский and Tiếng Việt. 
  • Clipping a coupon from Waste Connections’ annual recycling newsletter, which will be mailed to all Clark County residences in October
  • Picking up a coupon from:
    • Vancouver City Hall, 415 W Sixth St.
    • Vancouver Utility Services, 2323 General Anderson Ave.
    • Vancouver Marine Park Engineering office, 4500 SE Columbia Way
    • Waste Connections Customer Service Office, 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver
    • Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver
  • Calling Vancouver Solid Waste at 360.487.7160 or emailing solidwaste@cityofvancouver.us to receive a coupon by mail
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There are many alternatives for disposing of leaves and other yard debris. Check out free composting workshops or programs through Waste Connections’ optional organics services for Vancouver residents. Learn proper pruning techniques for your trees and other vegetation.

  • Backyard Composting: Sign up for Clark County’s Composter Recycler Program workshops.
  • Curbside Organics: Subscribe to Organics service to have leaves, yard debris, and food scraps collected at the curb.
  • Leave the Leaves: Consider leaving your leaves to create a natural mulch that suppresses weeds and supports various pollinators with winter cover. The leaves serve as a habitat for wildlife, including birds, frogs, and insects that overwinter in fallen leaves. These living creatures help keep pests down and increase pollination in your garden.
  • Organics 101 Classes: Attend a free RecycleU educational series.
  • Self-haul Yard & Garden Waste: Take leaves to several local drop-off sites.

Curbside yard debris services

Yard debris is an optional program that is available to single-family residences, multi-family complexes, and commercial businesses in Clark County on an every-other-week basis. Waste Connections offers additional information on yard debris cart size, frequency of services, how to request additional pickups, and rates.

Some helpful tips: 

  • Keep cart or can lids closed to keep out rainwater.
  • DO NOT place yard debris in plastic bags.
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The following materials can go in the yard debris cart:

  • Brush 
  • Leaves
  • Weeds
  • Grass clippings
  • Branches up to 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length
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Many materials cannot be placed in your yard debris cart including:

  • Food, including fruit or vegetables (unless within the Vancouver or Ridgefield city limits)
  • Household or hazardous waste
  • Garbage
  • Paper or plastic bags
  • Compostable plastic
  • Pet waste
  • Construction debris (lumber)
  • Sawdust or bark dust
  • Dirt, rocks, or sod
  • Branches over 4 inches in diameter and 5 feet in length
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For an additional charge, extra yard debris may be placed at the curb in paper bags, cans, and/or bundles. Loose piles of yard debris will not be accepted. 

To prepare, follow these guidelines:

  • Bags: Compostable, double-walled kraft bags weighing less than 40 pounds
  • Cans: 32 gallons or smaller weighing less than 75 pounds
  • Bundles: Brush must be no more than 1 foot in diameter or 5 feet in length and tied with twine or string (no wire ties)

DO NOT overfill. Charges may apply for overfilled or overweight carts. Cart lids should be able to close fully. The maximum allowed weight for a 64-gallon cart is 130 pounds and 200 pounds for a 90/96 gallon cart.

What about food waste?

Composted soil up close

Currently, curbside organics services for food waste are available in the city limits of Vancouver and Ridgefield. Residents within those city limits can simply add food scraps into the green organics cart.

Food is not accepted in yard debris carts for residents outside Vancouver and Ridgefield city limits. But you can still turn your food scraps into something new and valuable! Clark County programs support backyard composting and We Compost Community Compost Hubs offering free food waste drop off. For more information on composting and to learn how you can become a Composter Recycler, visit our Composter Recycler Program page. 

Other services

Drop boxes

For large residential and commercial projects, yard debris drop boxes (10+ yards) are available. Contact your hauling company.

Self-haul
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Residents in Clark County may choose to haul their yard debris to facilities around the county. If choosing to self-haul, keep in mind that to prevent litter and injury, the state of Washington and local ordinances require all loads being hauled to be secured and covered. Department of Ecology offers additional information including tips to secure your load. Type “yard debris” into the Recycling A-Z directory for a list of locations. 

Contact information

Solid Waste and Recycling Division
564.397.7352
Email

RecycleRight tool

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Download the RecycleRight app (available on Apple and Android devices): 

  • View collection schedule.
  • Sign up for reminders and service alerts.
  • Look up donation, recycle and disposal options with the Recycling A-Z directory. 

RecycleU classes

Boy putting carboard in blue recycling cart

Residents throughout Clark County can take free workshops to learn about regional recycling systems and curbside services. These classes are offered through a partnership with City of Vancouver Solid Waste, Clark County Green Neighbors and Waste Connections. 

Upcoming workshops are available at the City of Vancouver's RecycleU page.