Food & Yard Waste Collection

Spokane has a comprehensive solid waste system, including an optional service to pick up yard waste and food scraps at the curb. Customers receive a green cart for their green waste.

The cart can take:

  • Food Scraps: Meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, breads, eggshells and nutshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags.
  • Food-soiled Paper: Pizza boxes, paper towels & napkins, non-shiny paper plates and cups, paper egg cartons, paper grocery bags with food scraps, and coffee filters.
  • Yard Debris: Grass, leaves, weeds, pine needles, thatch, plant trimmings, small amounts of sod, and branches less than 3 inches in diameter.

We'll collect it all and send it for composting. For more information about composting, check out our composting page.

Yard and Food Waste

Year-round Collection

Starting January 1, 2025, the service will include a once-a-month pickup during the winter months of January, February and December. The “winter schedule” pickup will occur the first FULL week of the month. Weekly collection will continue to run March through November. Please refer to the annual Solid Waste Collection calendar if you need confirmation of collection weeks. Collection occurs on the same day as garbage pickup; please have your cart out by 6 a.m.

2025 Winter Collection Weeks:

  • January 6 – 10
  • February 3 – 7
  • December 1 – 5

Questions about year-round yard waste and food scraps service? View the FAQ!

Rates & Service

Current rates are listed on our Utility Rates page. Customers must retain the yard waste service for at least one year; customers who cancel the service before that time will pay a cart restocking fee of $35.15. Similarly, a customer who restarts the service less than a year after canceling it will pay the same fee for redelivery.

Starting service? A yard waste cart will be delivered on your next collection day.

If we've missed your collection or have only partially emptied your cart, visit www.Spokane311.org to submit a service request, or call 311 (inside city limits) or 509.755.CITY (2489) (outside city limits). We'll work to remedy the situation.

Sign up for Food & Yard Waste

To start services, visit www.Spokane311.org to submit a request, or call 311 (inside city limits) or 509.755.CITY (2489) (outside city limits).

Move Carts to the Curb by 6 a.m.