Yard Waste and Backyard Composting

Yard Waste Disposal

When disposed of properly, yard waste will turn into compost and can be used to improve soil and plant growth. Yard waste, such as grass, leaves, and sticks, cannot be placed in your garbage or recycling cart. Instead, dispose of these materials using one of these three methods: 

1. Curbside Collection
2. Free Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites
3. Backyard Composting

Curbside Yard Waste Collection

2027 Seasonal Yard Waste Subscription

A Seasonal Yard Waste Subscription includes one 64-gallon City yard waste cart and up to 8 compostable bags or bundles collected each week. Extra bags or bundles (beyond 8) can be collected for $6 each.

Enrollment for 2027 Yard Waste Subscription Service begins November 1, 2026. Dates for the 2027 season are Monday, April 12 through Friday, November 12. The annual subscription rate will be $165. Property owners will receive bills in early May 2027. Bills are sent in the mail (separate from garbage bills) and can also be viewed and paid online at stpaul.gov/assessments.

• Rolling Enrollment: We are switching to a rolling enrollment system, so there is no deadline, but we recommend registering early to get your cart and be ready for the 2027 season when it begins in April.
• Auto-Renewal: If you subscribed to Yard Waste Service in 2026 and have not canceled, you are automatically enrolled for 2027. 

Cancelations: Property owners can cancel a Yard Waste Subscription at any time. To avoid being billed for next season, we recommend canceling before March 15, 2027. 

Click Here to Enroll or Cancel

2026 One-Time Yard Waste Pickups

Requests for one-time yard waste pickups can be made for $4.25 per bag or bundle. The last pickup for the 2026 season will be Friday, November 13. To schedule a pickup, please contact us at least 2 business days before your collection day.

Yard Waste must be placed in a compostable bag or tied bundle next to your garbage cart.

Click Here to Schedule a One-Time Pickup

Preparing Yard Waste for Collection

• Yard waste collection is the same day as your garbage collection. For one-time pick-ups, contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Team at least 2 business days before collection day.
• All yard waste must be placed in a City Yard Waste cart, a certified compostable bag, or tied in a bundle (sticks). Non-City carts will not be serviced.
• Place yard waste out by 6 a.m. on collection day. Keep 3 feet of space around your yard waste cart, bags, and bundles.
• Yard waste bags or stick bundles cannot exceed 40 pounds or 2 feet in diameter and 3 feet in length.
• Individual sticks and branches cannot exceed 3 inches in diameter or 3 feet in length.
• Tie stick bundles with twine or another compostable material.
• Not accepted: tree stumps, dirt, or rocks, and logs or woody items more than 3 inches in diameter or 3 feet long.

 Yard Waste Drop-Off Sites 

Ramsey County operates seven drop-off sites for yard waste. All sites are free and open to Ramsey County residents. Please note: Dumping trailers and dump trucks aren't allowed. If you have a dumping trailer or dump truck, please use a commercial yard waste site. 

Accepted materials and hours vary by location. Many sites also have free compost and mulch available for residents to take. 

Site Locations

Ramsey County Yard Waste Drop-Off Site Details

Backyard Composting

Composting is a process that naturally breaks down organic materials, like yard waste and food scraps. When these items break down, the material created is called "compost." Compost is a natural additive used to improve soil, help plants absorb nutrients (like a multivitamin), and fight plant pests and disease. Composting also prevents waste from being buried or burned, protecting air and drinking water quality!

Introduction to Backyard Composting

Check out this video from Ramsey County for information on how to start and maintain your backyard compost.

What Can Go in My Backyard Compost?

• Leaves, grass clippings, and twigs
• Food scraps, like banana peels and corn husks
• Coffee grounds, coffee filters, and plastic-free tea bags
• Small amounts of non-greasy paper and paper products, like dirty napkins, paper plates, and paper egg cartons

What Can't Go in My Backyard Compost?

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

Some of these materials can be composted though our citywide food scraps (organics) recycling program. 

Click here to learn more about the food scraps recycling program.

Compost or Trash?

"38.2% of Saint Paul's residential garbage is compostable," concluded a 2025 waste study performed by the City of Saint Paul and HDR.

The study found that Saint Paul's residential trash included:

• 21% of Saint Pauls' trash consists of food scraps, like coffee grounds, eggshells, bones, and produce skins
• 9.2% of our trash is edible food as in food that could have been eaten but was not
• 8% of our trash is made up of compostable paper, such as napkins, paper towels, and paper bags

Based on these numbers, Saint Paul has a lot of material that does not belong in the trash. Instead, it should be composted. 

Composting is a necessary tool to reduce the amount of items that are landfilled. It creates a product that nourishes the soil, protects waterways, and benefits air quality. It can also support local economies by employing more drivers, farmers, and scientists than a landfill does.

Reminder: Bones, meat, and dairy cannot go in a traditional backyard composter. But they can be taken to a compost drop-off or be serviced in the future curbside compost pickup program!