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. 

Fall 2025 Dates: Monday, October 20 to Friday, November 28

Set-out Options and Guidelines

Residents can use the following options for extra yard trimmings:

  • Kraft paper bags
    • If raining, please cover the bags to keep them dry.
  • Old garbage cans
  • Bundled branches
    • Tie 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.
  • Weight limit
    • All bags, bundles and cans must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each. 
  • Prohibited items
    • Stumps, rocks, sod and soil are not accepted.
    • Do not mix food scraps in with yard trimmings bags or cans.
    • Do not use plastic bags (not even those labelled "biodegradable" or "compostable").

Additional Information

Green Carts cannot be placed at the curb before 5:30 a.m. on collection day, 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, which 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 free of charge, year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre. Restrictions apply.

Accepted Materials

  • Grass clippings, leaves, plants and plant cuttings
  • Tree and hedge prunings
  • Tree branches (maximum 30 cm in diameter and 120 cm in length)
  • Food waste*

*Food waste must be kept separate from yard trimmings, as they are processed differently.

Program Requirements

  • Residential material only – use personal vehicle
    • This program is for materials from residential properties within the City of Coquitlam. 
    • Material from businesses or commercial operations (e.g. landscaping, yard maintenance, debris removal, etc.), will not be accepted. Vehicle type will determine eligibility. 
  • Proof of residency
    • Residents must show a valid driver’s license or a current utility, property tax, electrical or gas bill, to confirm 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.) must be unloaded separately.
  • Volume and weight limits
    • Food waste: 100 L per vehicle per day
    • Green waste: 1,000 kg per vehicle per day
      • 2,000 kg per vehicle per calendar year

For questions about this program, contact City of Coquitlam by email or call 604-927-4300.