Yard, garden and tree waste can be recycled into compost. In fact, putting it in your garbage is illegal in Minnesota. Leaves, grass and plant trimmings, along with some types of food waste, can be combined in a backyard compost bin to create a valuable soil additive for your lawn and garden. That is recycling at its best! Later use the finished compost to improve your soil or as mulch around plants.

If you don’t plan on composting in your backyard or simply don’t have the space, check with your garbage hauler to see if they offer yard waste pick-up service, or you can drop off your yard and garden waste at the nearest compost site listed below.

Yard Waste Disposal Options Brochure

City Compost Sites, Drop-Off Sites & Events

The following cities provide yard waste disposal to their residents. Cities who operate a compost site manage material on-site while the cities who offer a drop-off location utilize roll off boxes to transport material to a processing facility. Please contact your city to inquire about location, hours of operation and delivery instructions.

Please note: Because city resources are used to operate the following sites, residents MUST live within city limits of the collection city to utilize the site.

City of Waconia
310 10th St E, Waconia
(952) 442-2184
Type: Seasonal Drop-off Site
Please note: Waconia Residents ONLY

City of Watertown
700 Lewis Ave N, Watertown
(952) 955-2681
Type: Year Round Drop-off Site
Please note: Watertown Residents ONLY

Private Compost Sites

The following privately owned compost sites are open to residents and businesses. Please call to inquire about disposal fees, hours of operation, and delivery instructions. 

Creekside Soils
1500 Adams St SE
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 587-6762

1905 Mystic Lake Drive South
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 233-9191

Private Hauler Curbside Collection

Some private refuse haulers pick-up yard waste at the curb for recycling. Contact your hauler for details.

Compostable Bag Law
Did you know? Per State law, residents in the Twin Cities area who bag their yard and organic waste are required to put their waste out for pickup in compostable bags–either paper bags or compostable plastic bags. Plastic bags can be used when delivering yard and organic waste to a drop-off site, however, material must be de-bagged. Plastic bags should be reused or disposed of through residential garbage service.

Christmas Trees
Carver County offers several no charge options for recycling your real Christmas tree. Visit the Christmas Trees page for more information.

Compost Bins
Compost bins can be purchased seasonally at the Environmental Center.