YARD WASTE

Yard Waste Collection
It's a great way for you to save money by using a smaller garbage toter. It benefits our community because we divert organic materials from our landfills. Vegetation (like grass, branches, garden refuse and leaves) can be turned into nutrient rich and valuable compost.

Our Yard Waste toters are available to anyone. We offer the choice of the standard 95-gallon, or the new 64-gallon size for those who want a smaller size. For the customer who requests more than one Toter, there will be a nominal charge.

How does Yard Waste Collection work?
Yard waste is picked up every other week, the same day as your recycling pickup. If you want yard waste collection service, you must use a Toter provided by us as your primary yard waste container. The Yard Waste Toter weight limit is 200 pounds.

Additional Yard Waste Toters are available for a nominal fee each per month. If you need a special pickup for Yard Waste Toters, there is a fee. Call us at (253) 564-3212 for rates.

How do I have extra Yard Waste collected?
If you have extra Yard Waste, please use a GREEN extra Yard Waste collection tag. If you have more Yard Waste than will fit in your Toter, additional Yard Waste can be placed out on your collection day. Each extra Yard Waste can, box, bag or bundle must be tagged for pickup, and the cost will be added to your next garbage bill. Make sure to use the green tags marked "Extra Yard Waste" because they are less than half the cost of the extra garbage tags. Tags must be filled out completely and attached to the extra item to insure proper billing. You may use the extra tags that we provide, or you may make your own, using a durable card stock, or cardboard. Be sure to include your name, address, account number, date, and in large print the words "Yard Waste"; printed plainly in ball-point pen. Note: if a bag is used for extra Yard Waste, make sure to leave the top open and untied so the driver can empty it out. The empty bag will be left behind. Extra Yard Waste tagged items can't exceed 45 lbs., 32 gal., 4 cu. ft.; or 3 feet in length for branches.

How do I get my Yard Waste Toter replaced or repaired?   To request a repair for damage to a UP Refuse toter or cart, call our offices to get a replacement cart or to get your refuse cart repaired.

Do you have a special spring clean up for branches?
Yes, we provide a Spring Oversized Brush Pickup Day, usually in April. Place oversized brush at the curb for pickup on your regular Recycling/Yard Waste collection day. Rules: Branches and limbs only, no larger than 4" in diameter. No stumps. Limit the pile size to 6' x 6' x 6'. See our UP Refuse newsletter for more information about seasonal collections.

What happens to the yard waste?
Yard waste is sent to the Pierce County Yard Waste Compost Facility in Purdy, Washington. This facility is a state-of-the-art compost plant that has received acclaim world-wide throughout the industry for its design, efficiency, and product superiority.

At the plant, these organic materials are ground up and composted. The compost is checked for quality, screened and bagged. PREP compost is available through UP Refuse. See the PREP Compost page for more info.

This page is a description of our Yard Waste Collection services and guidelines for pick up, along with administrative information. Click below for links to other services we offer.

>Residential
>Curbside Recycling
>Yard Waste Pickup
>Commercial
>Construction Disposal
>Drop Boxes (dumpsters)
>Portable Storage
>The Recycling Center
>PREP Compost