Coquitlam yard waste collection and drop-off

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

Coquitlam, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 5.1.2; Schedule A; Green Carts, Acceptable Materials; Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings Collection · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Leaves and grass clippings 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
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.Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Set-out Options and Guidelines; Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 2.1, LANDSCAPE WASTE; Green Carts, Acceptable Materials · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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") 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; Short branches and prunings under 10 cm thick and 50 cm long
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.Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre; Recycling, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre; https://metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/Documents/united-boulevard-facility-visitor-guide.pdf, Hours of Operation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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) Located at 995 United Boulevard 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
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.Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre; Recycling, United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre; Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. Fees apply only for garbage drop off. $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.
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.Green Carts, Unacceptable Materials; Extra Yard Waste and Trimmings, Banned Items · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Stumps, rocks, sod and soil are not accepted Do not mix food scraps with yard trimmings bags or cans
Bylaw	Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (landscape waste definition, s. 5.1.2 and s. 5.2)Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016 (consolidated January 2026), s. 1, 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 4679, 2016. designate dates and times during which landscape waste may

How it works

The City of Coquitlam collects yard trimmings in the Green Cart weekly. Under the Solid Waste Management Bylaw 4679, 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

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.
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).
Set them out on your regular collection day. Green carts may not go out before 5:30 a.m. during the event.
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.