Residential recycling and disposal search tool

Yard waste

How to compost yard and garden waste

Branches

Grass clippings

Leaves and pine cones

Dandelions and common weeds

Sod

Plants and flowers

Tree fruits

Tree trimmings

Examples of yard waste

  • Leaves 
  • Pine cones and pine needles
  • Plants and flowers 
  • Branches, twigs, hedge prunings  and tree trimmings
  • Grass clippings
  • Hay
  • Tree fruits like crab apples 
  • Rhubarb leaves 
  • Moss 
  • Untreated mulch (including coloured/dyed)

How to dispose

There are two ways to dispose of yard and garden waste depending on whether you have small or large quantities.

Small quantities of yard and garden waste

  • Put into your green cart

Put small quantities of yard and garden waste into your green cart for composting. 

Fill your green cart first. Pieces must be less than:

  • 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter.
  • 1.25 m (4 feet) in length.
  • Make sure the lid of the cart can close.
  • If your green cart is full, use paper yard waste bags and roll the tops closed. Paper yard waste bags have a 20 kg weight limit. If you can pickup the bag with one hand, it should be ok.
  • Set rolled up paper yard waste bags 0.5m (2 ft) to the side of your green cart on collection day. Do not lean bags on top or beside the cart.

Special instructions

  • During the busy yard season, we will collect material inside green carts, but may limit the number of yard waste bags we pick up to make sure everyone gets service. 
  • You can also leave grass clippings on the lawn to naturally decompose and keep your lawn green. 

Large quantities of yard and garden waste

  • Take to a City Eco Centre

Take large quantities of yard and garden waste to a City Eco Centre for composting – charges may apply. Learn more at calgary.ca/yardwaste.

Note: Sod is not accepted for composting at City landfills or City Eco Centre.  

Map of Eco Centre locations

Explore similar items

Common weeds

Noxious weeds

Sod and loam

Real Christmas trees

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