---
title: Coquitlam yard waste collection and drop-off
question: "What can I do with yard waste, branches and extra trimmings in Coquitlam?"
place: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coquitlam
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Coquitlam
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/yard-waste/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/yard-waste.json"
---

# Coquitlam yard waste collection and drop-off

**Question:** What can I do with yard waste, branches and extra trimmings in Coquitlam?

**Short answer:** In Coquitlam, put yard trimmings in your Green Cart, collected weekly. For six weeks each spring and fall the City collects extra trimmings on your regular collection day. Residents can also drop off yard trimmings free, year-round, at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Coquitlam, https://www.coquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** Free drop-off for Coquitlam residents at United Boulevard (proof of residency). Green Cart and seasonal collection are part of the residential dwelling charge ($287 to $534 a year in 2026). Extra green carts $140, $150 or $160 by size.  
**How long:** Six weeks each spring and fall; check the City's Extra Yard Waste page for the current dates.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Solid Waste Operations, 604-927-4300
- In person: United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre (operated by Metro Vancouver), 995 United Boulevard, Coquitlam, BC (Mon to Fri 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.)

## Key facts

- **Curbside collection:** Yes. Yard trimmings go in the Green Cart, collected weekly. For six weeks each spring and fall, extra yard trimmings can be set out on your regular collection day in paper bags (no plastic), old garbage cans with a Yard Trimmings sticker, or bundled branches tied with twine. Only for homes with City curbside collection.
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 5.1.2; Schedule A](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031)
  - Official wording: "all food scraps and landscape waste are deposited and contained in a green cart;" … "plus collection and removal of green waste on a weekly basis"
  - Source: [Green Carts, Acceptable Materials](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts)
  - Official wording: "Leaves and grass clippings"
  - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings Collection](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings)
  - Official wording: "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." … "Paper bags (no plastic bags allowed)" … "Old garbage cans labeled with a Yard Trimmings sticker (PDF)" … "Bundled branches - Tie with twine"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to set it out:** Extra seasonal collection: individual branches under 7.5 cm (3 in) in diameter and no more than 1 m (3 ft) long; each bundle, bag or can under 20 kg (44 lb). In the Green Cart the bylaw defines landscape waste as cuttings under 7.5 cm in diameter and 1 m long (the City's Green Carts page says branches under 10 cm thick and 50 cm long). No plastic bags, including compostable ones. (Sources differ: For the Green Cart the City's Green Carts page (under 10 cm thick, 50 cm long) differs from the bylaw definition of landscape waste (under 7.5 cm diameter, under 1 m long). The bylaw is followed.)
  - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Set-out Options and Guidelines](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings)
  - Official wording: "Individual branches must be less than 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) in diameter and no more than 1 meter (3 feet) in length" … "All bundles, bags and cans of yard trimming must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) each" … "Do not use plastic bags (not even those labeled "biodegradable" or "compostable")"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 2.1, LANDSCAPE WASTE](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031)
  - Official wording: "LANDSCAPE WASTE includes weeds, leaves, grass and tree, plant or shrubbery cuttings less" … "than 7.5 centimeters in diameter and less than 1 meter in length;"
  - Source: [Green Carts, Acceptable Materials](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts)
  - Official wording: "Short branches and prunings under 10 cm thick and 50 cm long"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Drop-off:** United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard, free for Coquitlam residents with proof of residency (residential loads, personal vehicle). Hours: Mon to Fri 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Dec 25 and Jan 1. Limits: 1,000 kg green waste per vehicle per day, 2,000 kg per year; branches up to 30 cm x 120 cm.
  - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings)
  - Official wording: "Coquitlam residents can drop off residential yard trimmings and food waste free of charge, year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre." … "Residents must show a valid driver’s license or a current utility, property tax, electrical or gas bill, to confirm proof of Coquitlam residency." … "Green waste: 1,000 kg per vehicle per day" … "2,000 kg per vehicle per calendar year" … "Food waste: 100 L per vehicle per day" … "Tree branches (maximum 30 cm in diameter and 120 cm in length)"
  - Source: [Recycling, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/165/Recycling)
  - Official wording: "Located at 995 United Boulevard"
  - Source: [https://metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/Documents/united-boulevard-facility-visitor-guide.pdf, Hours of Operation](https://metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/Documents/united-boulevard-facility-visitor-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Mon to Fri 5:30 am to 6 pm 7 am to 6 pm" … "Sat 8 am to 6 pm 8 am to 6 pm" … "Sun and holidays* 9 am to 5 pm 9 am to 5 pm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cost:** Free for Coquitlam residents at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, year-round (fees apply only for garbage drop-off). Green Cart and seasonal collection are part of the residential dwelling charge ($287 to $534 a year in 2026 depending on garbage cart size). Extra green carts cost $140, $150 or $160 by size.
  - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings)
  - Official wording: "Coquitlam residents can drop off residential yard trimmings and food waste free of charge, year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre."
  - Source: [Recycling, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre](https://www.coquitlam.ca/165/Recycling)
  - Official wording: "Fees apply only for garbage drop off."
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), Schedule A](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031)
  - Official wording: "$287.00 per annum for collection and" … "$534.00 per annum for collection and" … "$140.00 for each additional 120 litre green cart; or $150.00 for each additional 240 litre green cart; or $160.00 for each additional 360 litre green cart."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Not accepted:** Not accepted in the Green Cart: plastic bags (even labelled compostable), pet waste and kitty litter, large branches, tree stumps, lumber, rocks, soil and sod. Not accepted in the extra seasonal collection: stumps, rocks, sod and soil; no food scraps mixed in with yard trimmings; no plastic bags.
  - Source: [Green Carts, Unacceptable Materials](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts)
  - Official wording: "Plastic bags - Any plastic product even those labelled" … "Pet waste - Animal feces and/or Kitty litter" … "Larger landscape materials - Large branches, tree stumps, or lumber; rocks, soil, or sod"
  - Source: [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Banned Items](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings)
  - Official wording: "Stumps, rocks, sod and soil are not accepted" … "Do not mix food scraps with yard trimmings bags or cans"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (landscape waste definition, s. 5.1.2 and s. 5.2)
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 1, 5.2](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031)
  - Official wording: "Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016." … "designate dates and times during which landscape waste may"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Coquitlam collects yard trimmings in the Green Cart weekly. Under the [Solid Waste Management Bylaw 4679](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031), landscape waste in the cart means weeds, leaves, grass and cuttings under 7.5 cm across and under 1 m long. The City's Green Carts page gives a smaller limit, branches under 10 cm thick and 50 cm long; the bylaw is followed here, so confirm with Solid Waste Operations if unsure. Plastic bags, even compostable ones, are not accepted.

## Steps

1. For extra trimmings during the seasonal collection (six weeks each spring and fall, homes with City curbside collection only), use paper bags (no plastic), old garbage cans with a Yard Trimmings sticker, or branches bundled with twine. Check the City's Extra Yard Waste page for this season's dates.
2. Individual branches must be under 7.5 cm (3 in) across and no more than 1 m (3 ft) long; each bundle, bag or can under 20 kg (44 lb).
3. Set them out on your regular collection day. Green carts may not go out before 5:30 a.m. during the event.
4. Alternatively, drop off at the United Boulevard centre, 995 United Boulevard, with proof of residency (driver's licence or a current utility, property tax, electrical or gas bill).

## Good to know

- Not accepted in the Green Cart: pet waste and kitty litter, large branches, stumps, lumber, rocks, soil and sod. Not accepted in the seasonal collection: stumps, rocks, sod and soil; keep food scraps out of the bags.
- At United Boulevard: limit 1,000 kg of green waste per vehicle per day and 2,000 kg per year; branches up to 30 cm x 120 cm. Fees apply only to garbage.
- Burning yard waste is not allowed; see the backyard fire answer.

## Official forms and pages

- [Yard Trimmings sticker (PDF)](https://www.coquitlam.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2292/Green-Can-Sticker-PDF)

## Related questions

- [Coquitlam garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/garbage-collection.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Yard waste collection in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/yard-waste.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/yard-waste.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/yard-waste.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/yard-waste.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/yard-waste.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/yard-waste.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/yard-waste.md)

## Sources

- [Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/160/Extra-Yard-Waste-and-Trimmings) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Green Carts, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/161/Green-Carts) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6025031) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Recycling, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/165/Recycling) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/Documents/united-boulevard-facility-visitor-guide.pdf](https://metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/Documents/united-boulevard-facility-visitor-guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/yard-waste/_