Keep your yard looking its best while helping protect Columbia’s creeks and streams by using the City’s Yard Waste Drop-Off Centers. These free residential sites make it easy to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, brush, and small tree limbs responsibly. The collected material is shredded into mulch and reused for composting, landfill operations, and erosion control.
Residents can also pick up free mulch from the drop-off centers while supplies last.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Locations
Both locations are open seven days a week from dawn until dusk.
- Parkside Drive
- Between Cosmo Park and Creasy Springs Road
- Capen Park
- Along Rock Quarry Road near Stadium Boulevard
What You Can Drop Off
Accepted materials include:
- Grass clippings
- Leaves
- Brush
- Tree limbs up to 8 feet long and 2 feet in diameter
Before dropping off yard waste, be sure to remove:
- Plastic bags
- Buckets
- Rope
- Nails and screws
- Paint or other non-organic materials
Large tree trunks (over 8 feet long) and root balls are not accepted at the compost sites and must be taken to the landfill, where standard disposal fees apply.
Free Mulch Available
The yard waste collected at these locations is turned into mulch. Any mulch remaining at the drop-off centers is available free of charge for Columbia residents to pick up anytime the centers are open.
Help Protect Local Waterways
Proper yard waste disposal helps prevent pollution and keeps local streams healthy. The City encourages residents to follow these simple best practices:
- Never dump yard waste into creeks or streams.
- Keep grass clippings and leaves out of storm drains.
- Avoid sweeping or blowing yard debris into streets.
- Don’t pile yard waste where rain can wash it into waterways.
Other Disposal Options
Residents also have additional ways to manage yard waste:
- Place leaves, grass, and small twigs inside your curbside roll cart for regular collection.
- Take qualifying yard waste to the City’s landfill compost site at no charge.
- Start a backyard compost pile or vermicomposting system to recycle food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost.
- Attend the City’s free composting workshops to learn more about composting at home.
Residential Use Only
The Yard Waste Drop-Off Centers are available for Columbia residents only. Commercial landscaping businesses and contractors should dispose of yard waste through commercial trash service or at the City’s Bioreactor Landfill.
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