Yard Waste and Composting

2025 Yard Waste Collection: April 1 - November 30

New Haulers: On April 1, 2025, as part of the City's new garbage collection program, FCC Environmental Services and the City of Saint Paul will start collecting yard waste for residential properties containing 1-4 units.

Automatic Renewal: If you subscribed to Yard Waste Service in 2024, your subscription will automatically renew for 2025. There is no need to contact your current garbage hauler or the City if you already have a subscription.

Cancellations: To cancel a current Yard Waste subscription, please contact the City before April 1 to avoid charges for 2025. Email garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-6101.

New Subscriptions: To add weekly Yard Waste Service for 2025, please contact the City to inform us of your interest. We will keep your name on a list and contact you when registration opens in late February or early March. Email garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-6101.

Cart Delivery: The City will begin delivering new yard waste carts to subscribers in March. If you still have a yard waste cart from your current garbage hauler, please contact them to pick it up. For hauler contact information, visit stpaul.gov/GarbageMap.

Collection Day: If you have a subscription for Yard Waste Service, the collection day is the same as garbage. Please set your cart out by 6 a.m. with 2 feet of clearance all around it.

Subscription Fees: The annual cost for a Yard Waste subscription is $119.06. This fee covers the weekly collection of one Yard Waste cart and up to 8 compostable yard waste bags or bundles. 

One-Time Pickup: Non-subscribers can have compostable yard waste bags and bundles picked up at the rate of $4 per bag or bundle. For one-time pickups, contact the City at least 48 hours before your regular garbage pickup day to schedule the collection. Email garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us or call 651-266-6101.

Additional Yard Waste Information:

• Yard waste service is not available as walk-up service.
• Yard waste must be placed in a City yard waste cart, compostable yard waste bags or appropriately sized bundles.
• Tree stumps, dirt, and rocks are not allowed in yard waste collection.
• Woody items more than 3 inches in diameter or 3 feet in length are not permitted.
• Yard waste bags or bundles cannot exceed 40 pounds and must be smaller than 2 feet in diameter and 3 feet in length.

Solid Waste and Recycling
651-266-6101
garbage@ci.stpaul.mn.us

 Yard Waste Drop-off Sites

Ramsey County operates seven yard waste collection sites. All sites are free and open to Ramsey County residents. State law prohibits leaves, grass clippings, brush, and other plant material from being mixed with your trash.

Yard waste site policy: Dumping trailers

Just a friendly reminder that mechanical or hydraulic dumping trailers and dump trucks are not allowed at Ramsey County yard waste sites - this includes both residential and commercial equipment. If you have a dumping trailer or dump truck, you should use a commercial yard waste site. 

Ramsey County Yard Waste Sites:

Ramsey County Yard Waste Drop-off Site Details

Backyard Composting

Composting is a process that naturally decomposes (breaks down) organic materials, such as yard waste, fruits, vegetables, and paper towels. Once your food scraps and yard trimming are finished decomposing, the material created is called "compost." Compost is a natural and valuable soil amendment that can be used in place of synthesized fertilizers and pesticides. Composting also reduces trash and saves water!

Did you know?

On average, between 28 - 38 percent of all waste is compostable and 25 percent of all household waste is compostable.

Basic types of organic materials that are compostable in a backyard system include:

• Leaves, grass clippings, and twigs
• Food scraps, like banana peels and corn husks
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Soiled paper and paper products, like dirty napkins, paper plates, and paper egg cartons

You should not put these items in your backyard compost because they will cause problems:

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

You can compost in your backyard or participate in Organics (Food Scraps) Recycling by using a Ramsey County or District Council drop-off site. Organics (Food Scraps) Recycling drop-off sites take more materials than you can put in your backyard compost bin.

Backyard Composting Resources:

• Composting Overview
• How to Compost in Your Backyard
• How to Compost with Worms