How to Get Rid of Yard Waste and Branches in Oregon

Oregon's lush landscapes come with a side effect: yard waste. Between the towering Douglas firs dropping branches, the deciduous trees shedding leaves from October through December, and everything growing at double speed from March through June, Oregon homeowners generate more green waste per capita than most states. A single windstorm along the I-5 corridor can turn a tidy yard into a debris field overnight.

The good news is that Oregon has excellent infrastructure for handling yard waste. Green debris is one of the most recyclable waste streams, and most of it can be turned into compost, mulch, or biomass fuel. Here is how to deal with it.

Option 1: Curbside Yard Waste Collection

Most Oregon waste haulers provide yard waste collection as part of their standard residential service. This is the easiest option for regular, moderate amounts of green debris.

What Curbside Collection Accepts

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Small branches and twigs (cut to 36 inches or less, bundled)
• Garden trimmings and plant material
• Weeds and dead plants
• Small amounts of soil attached to root balls

What Curbside Collection Does NOT Accept

• Branches larger than 4 inches in diameter (varies by hauler)
• Tree stumps
• Large root balls
• Sod and soil in large quantities
• Rocks, gravel, or landscaping stone
• Treated or painted wood (this is construction debris, not yard waste)

Major Oregon Hauler Yard Waste Policies

• Waste Management (Portland metro): Provides a green roll cart for yard waste. Branches must be cut to fit in the cart or bundled and placed next to it. Extra yard waste can be set out in kraft paper bags or clearly labeled cans.
• Republic Services: Similar green cart program. Check your specific service area for bundle size limits.
• Sanipac (Eugene-Springfield): Yard waste is collected in the green cart. Extra debris can be placed in yard waste bags.

Curbside collection works well for weekly maintenance amounts. For a major yard cleanup or storm debris, you will likely exceed what the weekly service can handle.

Option 2: Transfer Station Drop-Off

For larger volumes of yard waste, hauling it to a transfer station yourself is cost-effective. The key advantage is that green waste tipping fees are significantly lower than mixed solid waste fees at Oregon transfer stations.

Transfer Station Fees for Yard Waste

Many transfer stations have a dedicated yard debris area where green waste is separated from general trash. This material gets composted or processed into mulch rather than going to a landfill.

Tips for Self-Hauling Yard Waste

• Use a tarp to cover the load in your truck bed. Oregon law requires loads to be secured, and loose leaves and branches blowing onto I-5 are a hazard and a citation.
• Separate yard waste from any non-green materials. Mixed loads may be charged at the higher mixed-waste rate.
• Bring cash or check. Some rural transfer stations do not accept cards.

Option 3: Professional Junk Removal

For major yard cleanups, storm damage, or large volumes of green debris, professional junk removal handles everything without you needing a truck, trailer, or trip to the transfer station.

When Professional Removal Makes Sense

• Storm cleanup: After a winter storm drops branches across your yard, a crew can clear and haul everything in a few hours.
• Overgrown property cleanup: Moving into a home with an overgrown yard? A junk removal crew handles the initial bulk clearing.
• Large branches and limbs: Branches too big for curbside collection and too heavy for you to load into a truck.
• Mixed yard and household junk: Combining a yard cleanup with a garage or shed cleanout makes for efficient use of a single removal visit.

Pricing for yard waste removal is typically:

• Small pile (1/8 truck): $100 to $175
• Medium pile (1/4 truck): $150 to $250
• Large pile (1/2 truck): $250 to $400
• Major cleanup (full truck): $450 to $700

Yard waste removal may cost slightly less than general junk removal per volume because disposal fees for green waste are lower.

Option 4: Home Composting

For leaves, grass clippings, and small garden trimmings, home composting is free and creates valuable soil amendment for your garden.

What Composts Well

• Fallen leaves (shred first for faster decomposition)
• Grass clippings (mix with brown material to prevent matting)
• Garden trimmings and dead plants
• Small twigs and prunings
• Vegetable garden waste
• Coffee grounds and tea bags from the kitchen

What Does NOT Compost Well

• Large branches (too slow to decompose, chip them first)
• Diseased plant material (can spread pathogens)
• Invasive weeds with seeds (seeds may survive composting)
• Black walnut leaves and branches (contain juglone, toxic to many plants)

Oregon's climate is actually excellent for composting. The mild temperatures and consistent moisture in the Willamette Valley keep compost piles active nearly year-round. Many Oregon cities, including Portland and Eugene, offer discounted compost bins through their waste management programs.

Option 5: Rent a Chipper or Hire an Arborist

If you have a significant amount of branches and wood debris, chipping converts bulky branches into usable wood chips for landscaping:

• Chipper rental: Home Depot, Sunbelt Rentals, and other Oregon equipment rental companies rent wood chippers for $200 to $400 per day. This makes sense for a large property cleanup.
• Arborist service: If you are having trees trimmed or removed, the arborist typically chips branches on-site and can either leave the chips for your use or haul them away.
• Community chipping events: Some Oregon cities and fire districts offer community chipping days, especially in fire-prone areas, where residents can bring branches for free chipping.

Oregon Yard Waste Burning Rules

Many Oregon residents wonder about burning yard waste. The rules are strict and vary by location:

Willamette Valley Cities (Portland, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Albany)

Burning is generally prohibited within city limits throughout the Willamette Valley. Most cities have ordinances banning outdoor burning of any kind, including yard waste. This is primarily an air quality issue, as the Willamette Valley is a natural air basin that traps smoke.

Rural Areas

Outside city limits, burning may be allowed with restrictions:

• Oregon DEQ regulates open burning statewide. Burn permits may be required.
• Local fire districts may impose their own restrictions, especially during dry summer months.
• Only dry, natural vegetation can be burned. Treated wood, trash, and construction debris cannot be burned.
• Check with your local fire district and the Oregon DEQ before burning anything.

Fire Season Restrictions

From roughly July through October, fire restrictions tighten across Oregon. During declared fire season, virtually all outdoor burning is prohibited outside of designated fire pits. Oregon's wildfire risk makes burn bans a serious matter with real enforcement.

Seasonal Yard Waste Tips for Oregon

Spring (March - May)

Spring cleanup season. Plan for heavy pruning debris, winter storm cleanup, and rapid growth. Schedule professional removal or extra yard waste pickup early, as demand spikes.

Summer (June - August)

Grass clippings are the main waste stream. Consider grasscycling (leaving clippings on the lawn) to reduce volume. Trim hedges and manage growth.

Fall (September - November)

Leaf season is the biggest yard waste event for most Oregon homeowners. The Willamette Valley's abundant deciduous trees create massive leaf volumes. Use extra yard waste bags, schedule pickup, or compost.

Winter (December - February)

Storm damage creates branch and debris cleanup needs. Winter storms along the I-5 corridor can bring down significant limbs. Have a plan for dealing with large branches that exceed curbside limits.

Cost Comparison: Yard Waste Disposal in Oregon