Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings

Residents who pay Garbage and Green Waste Utility fees receive unlimited yard trimmings collection twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Find out where else to dispose of extra yard waste at other times of the year for free.

Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings Collection

For six weeks every spring and fall, residents who receive curbside collection from the City can put out extra yard trimmings for pick-up on their regular collection day. 

Next Collection: Spring 2025


Set-out Options and Guidelines

Set-out options and guidelines for extra yard trimmings during Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings Collection:

  • Set out yard trimmings in kraft paper bags
    • If raining, please cover the bags to keep them dry
  • Set out yard trimmings in old garbage cans labeled with a Yard Trimmings sticker (PDF)
  • Bundle branches with twine
    • Individual branches must be less than 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) in diameter and no more than 1 meter (3 feet) in length
  • All bundles, bags and cans of yard trimming must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each 
  • Stumps, rocks, sod and soil are not accepted
  • Do not mix food scraps with yard trimmings bags or cans
  • Do not use plastic bags for your extra yard trimmings, or in the Green Cart ( not even those labeled "biodegradable" or "compostable"

Green Carts cannot be placed at the curb before 5:30 a.m. on your collection day during this event, even if they only contain yard waste, as per Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016. 

Note: A separate truck collects the extra yard trimmings and may arrive at a different time than the regular Green cart collection.

United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre

Coquitlam residents can drop off residential yard trimmings and food waste for free at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre year-round. Restrictions apply.

Accepted materials include grass clippings, leaves, plants and plant cuttings, tree and hedge pruning’s, tree branches (max. diameter of 30 cm and length of 120 cm), and food waste*. 

*food waste must be separated from yard trimmings for drop-off (food waste and yard trimming materials are processed separately)

Program Requirements:

  • Residential material only – use personal vehicle. This program is for yard trimmings and food waste from residential properties within the City of Coquitlam only. Material from businesses or commercial operations (e.g. landscaping, yard maintenance, debris removal, etc.), which will be determined by vehicle type, will not be accepted. 
  • Proof of residency required. Residents must show a valid driver’s license or current utility, property tax, electrical or gas bill for proof of Coquitlam residency.
  • Separate material. Yard trimmings and food waste must be separated for drop-off. Mixed material loads (e.g. loads with garbage, free recycling, etc.) will have to be dropped off separately.
  • Volume/weight limits. The following limits apply:
    • 100 L of food waste per vehicle per day;
    • 1,000 kg of green waste per vehicle per day;
    • 2,000 kg of green waste per vehicle per calendar year. 

For questions about this program, contact City of Coquitlam by email or call 604-927-3500.