Yard Waste
Save money and save space in landfills by recycling or composting it. You can manage debris and waste from yard and lawn care in one of these three ways:
- Use curbside pick-up.
- Deliver your yard waste to a designated facility.
- Compost your yard waste.
Yard Care Tips
Native Plant Gardening
Landscaping with plants that are native to the Pacific Northwest is great for your garden and the environment. Once they are established, native plants are extremely easy to maintain. They are drought and pest resistant, and therefore require fewer chemicals and water. Native plants also provide food and shelter for wildlife and prevent erosion by anchoring the soil with their roots. For more information on using native plants, visit the Washington Native Plant Society.
Lawn Maintenance
Lawns are healthiest when mowed at a height of 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches, and when clippings are left on the lawn. Leaving lawn clippings, or mulch, on the lawn reduces weed problems, moderates soil temperature, and retains moisture. Mulch also helps maintain good soil structure and minimizes erosion by protecting the soil surface.
For more information on lawn maintenance, see the lawn-mowing brochure (PDF).
Yard Waste Disposal Options
Customers of Sanitary Service Company (SSC) and Nooksack Valley Disposal can arrange to have yard debris picked up with your regular recycling and garbage service. Yard debris that is picked up curbside is turned into compost by a local composting facility.
Green Earth Technology
774 Meadowlark Road, Lynden
360-354-4936
Monday – Friday, 7:30 am. - 4:30 pm
Seasonally Saturday, 8 am - 1 pm
Nooksack Valley Disposal
250 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Lynden
360-354-3400
Monday – Friday, 8 am - 4 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 12 pm
Recycling & Disposal Services
4916 LaBounty Place, Ferndale
360-384-8011
Daily 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Sanitary Service Company
1001 Roeder Avenue, Bellingham
360-734-3490
Monday – Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Composting can be a great way to deal food waste, lawn clippings, and certain types of yard debris. Composting saves space in landfills and provides you with a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your home garden or house plants. But when composting is done incorrectly, it can attract rodents, lead to noxious odors, or create other public health nuisances.
To learn more about home composting, check out the resources from the Washington State University Whatcom County Extension.
Burning of yard waste is allowed only in certain parts of Whatcom County and at certain times. Get details from the Northwest Clean Air Agency’s Outdoor Burning Permit Information.
Yard Care Tips
Native Plant Gardening
Landscaping with plants that are native to the Pacific Northwest is great for your garden and the environment. Once they are established, native plants are extremely easy to maintain. They are drought and pest resistant, and therefore require fewer inputs of chemicals and water. Native plants also provide food and shelter for wildlife and prevent erosion by anchoring the soil with their roots.
For more information on using native plants, visit the Washington Native Plant Society.
Lawn Maintenance
Lawns are healthiest when mowed at a height of 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches, and clippings are left on the lawn. Leaving lawn clippings, or mulch, on the lawn reduces weed problems, moderates soil temperature, and retains moisture. Mulch also helps maintain good soil structure and minimizes erosion by protecting the soil surface.
For more information on lawn maintenance, see this brochure.