A landscaping job often leaves a pile of mulch, bark or chips. Sometimes you over ordered, and sometimes it came from a tree service. The first question is whether you can use it. The second is where it goes if you cannot. This guide covers both, using the City of Vancouver's rules for yard waste and clean wood.
Reuse it first
If the pile is clean, you may be able to pass it on. Share it with neighbours, or offer it to a community garden. Check that nothing in the pile is painted, treated or mixed with plastic before you pass it on.
One caution comes from the City of Vancouver's rat and mouse guidance. It says to move bushes, shrubs and mulch away from a building's foundation, because pests look for places to hide, sleep and nest. So keep mulch beds back from the foundation.
What the City of Vancouver accepts
The City's yard waste and clean wood page says to bring excess yard waste and wood to the transfer station or landfill for composting, for a fee, and to check the location page for fees and maximum size. It lists these as accepted:
- Grass, leaves and plant remains
- Branches, root balls and stumps up to 25 cm diameter and 2.6 m long
- Clean, unfinished wood, meaning solid wood and wooden pallets that are unpainted, unstained, untreated and free of glue, with nails, screws and staples allowed, up to 25 cm diameter and 2.6 m long
It lists these as not accepted:
- Sod and soil
- Food waste
- Invasive species
- Manufactured wood products
- Plastic bags, even if labelled biodegradable or compostable
- Brick and concrete
The City's page does not name mulch, bark or wood chips, so call 3 1 1 or the facility before you load a truck. Do not assume chips are accepted.
Your green bin
The City's green bin list includes leaves and grass clippings, weeds, plants and flowers, and short branches and prunings (less than 10 cm thick and 50 cm long). It also accepts small pieces of clean wood waste with no plywood or glue laminates, and sawdust bagged in a paper bag. Dirt, soil and sod are not accepted. The City's rule is that green bins have weight limits, so mulch and chips can quickly get heavy.
Soil mixed in
If soil is mixed into the pile, note that the City says sod and soil are not accepted in the green bin or at its yard waste stream. A pile that is mostly soil is a dirt load and goes in its own 10 or 12-yard bin, kept out of junk.
Treated or dyed chips
Treated wood needs special handling. Mention it when you order a bin. It cannot go in a clean wood or yard load. Health Canada's Staying Safe around Treated Wood says not to place treated wood or sawdust in a compost bin and not to use it as mulch. If you are not sure what the chips are made from, treat them as unknown.
When a bin makes sense
A small pile fits in yard bags. A large pile from a tree job or a big landscape project does not. We deliver the bin and haul it away. You handle the loading. Begin with the 20-yard for junk, cleanouts and renos, since it is the common starting size. You can read more on the 20-yard bin page. A 15-yard junk bin is at times available, but it is commonly sold out, so plan around the 20-yard. Ask us about other smaller sizes when you book.
Tell us what is in the pile when you book. Dirt and concrete usually each get their own 10 or 12-yard bin. Ask us about a mixed bin if you have a little of both. A wet pile gets heavy.
No permit is needed for a bin on private property, like your driveway or yard. For a bin on the street, boulevard or lane, confirm with your City first, since some cities need a permit. Strata or HOA rules may still apply on top of that. If yours does, apply with the City, and we will time delivery to any permit dates.
Trash King bins never take paint, propane, tires, fuel or electronics. Our what not to put in a bin page has the full list.
A mattress or box spring can go in as an add on for an extra fee, so mention it when you book.
Our organics recycling page and wood page cover the wider yard waste and clean wood streams.
FAQ
Can I put mulch in the green bin? The City does not list mulch. Leaves, grass clippings, weeds and short branches are accepted. Call 3 1 1 to ask about chips.
Can I drop wood chips at the transfer station? The City lists clean unfinished wood and yard waste. It does not name chips. Ask first.
Is soil allowed with the mulch? The City lists sod and soil as not accepted in those streams.
What size bin should I order? For yard cleanups, the 20-yard is the common start. Other sizes? Ask when booking.