Yard Waste

SB 1383: Organic Waste Recycling

You might’ve heard about a new organic waste recycling law in California, called SB 1383. Under this law, yard waste must be kept out of the trash and sent to a facility that can process them into compost, mulch, or otherwise recycle this organic material. When organic materials like yard waste break down in a landfill, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By keeping these materials out of the trash, you’re helping to reduce methane emissions and create a healthier planet. Learn more about SB 1383 and what it means for Truckee.

Truckee residents have access to several convenient options for ensuring yard waste is properly processed for recycling, including free seasonal curbside collection and drop-off.

Defensible Space

Properly disposing of yard waste also supports wildfire resilience by creating defensible space around your property. This is part of everyone’s responsibility in Truckee to help keep our community safe from wildfires. Reduce the fuel by collecting branches, twigs, dead wood, shrubs, pine needles, and pinecones. Click through the tabs to learn how to properly dispose of yard waste in Truckee.

For more resources, view Truckee Fire Protection District’s complete defensible space guidelines.

Yard Waste Carts

Each Truckee residence is eligible for up to 3 yard waste carts, serviced every other week May through November. Yard waste collection occurs on your regular trash collection day, on weeks without recycling cart service. Green bag service ended in June 2018.

Please note that in Truckee, we cannot collect FOOD WASTE in yard waste carts. Please only place yard trimmings (pine cones, pine needles, branches, grass clippings) in your green cart – NO FOOD SCRAPS! Food scraps can be dropped off at a food scraps drop-off dumpster, or should otherwise be placed in the trash.

Yard Waste Cart Collection Schedule

On your regular trash collection day, TTSD will also pick up either your blue recycling or green yard waste cart (May-November), depending on the week. Visit the Collection Schedule page to view or download a printable collection calendar.

You can also sign up to receive weekly e-mail reminders so you never miss a yard waste or recycling collection day!

Need Another Yard Waste Cart?

We know there can be a lot of yard waste to pick up, so you may have up to three yard waste carts for your household. Contact TTSD at 530-583-7800 to order your green cart(s). Delivery fees apply or free pick up option may be available on the dates below.

Summer 2025 FREE pickup dates available on:

• Friday, May 2
• Friday, June 13
• Saturday, July 19

Call TTSD to order at (530) 583-7800

How do I use my cart?

1. Place yard trimmings (pine cones, pine needles, branches, grass clippings) directly into your yard waste cart. NO FOOD WASTE! NO BAGS!
2. Place your cart on the edge of the street no later than 6 am on your service day. Carts should be 3 ft away from other carts or other objects, with the cart handle facing away from the street center. Lids must be completely closed.
3. After service, remove carts from the street. Carts cannot be left in the Town’s right-of-way.

Are you unable to roll back your cart after each service?

TTSD will roll your cart in and out on your service day with a paid subscription. Contact TTSD directly to set up by calling 530-583-7800.

Self-Haul

Truckee residents can self-haul yard waste to any facility that can process it for recycling (such as composting or mulching). Residents are eligible to drop off up to six cubic yards of yard waste each year at the Eastern Regional Landfill Material Recovery Facility using the punch cards provided by TTSD.

FREE Truckee Resident yard waste drop-off program:

Drop-off up to six yards of yard waste for free May – October.

All we ask is that you load, unload and completely empty your bags and materials.

You will receive an address-specific punch card to track yards dropped off upon first visit to Eastern Regional Landfill. Proof of residency with an ID and a utility bill required for issuance of a punch card. Punch cards are transferable, so you can give this to your contractor or friendly neighbor.

Out-of-season drop off of yard waste (November-April) is subject to ERL’s green waste disposal fees.

Self-Haul Requirements

State regulations and Town of Truckee Municipal Code section 6.01.070 require that residents self-hauling yard waste keep this material separate from trash and deliver it to a facility that processes or recovers yard waste to keep it out of a landfill. By keeping these materials out of the trash, residents can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from methane emitted by landfills, which contribute to climate change. All drop-off options provided by the Town of Truckee’s collection programs comply with these requirements.

Dumpster Rental

For a reduced rate, you can arrange for a one-week rental of a six-yard dumpster. Maximum of two units per household. Reserve your dumpster(s) well in advance by calling TTSD to (530) 583-7800 to ensure your rental before it’s completely booked for the season between May and October only. View the residential 6 cubic yard dumpster rate.

TTSD will deliver the dumpster(s) to your property on Wednesday and retrieve it the following Wednesday.

Please be sure to fill the dumpster(s) with loose material only. No bagging of yard waste is permitted.

TRUCKEE FIRE REBATE PROGRAM

Funds from Measure T will reimburse you 75% towards the cost of a 6 yard green waste dumpster rental so you can remove vegetation and create defensible space around your home. Simply provide a paid receipt from the Eastern Regional Landfill and Truckee Fire will reimburse you – WHILE FUNDS LAST! See details at: https://www.truckeefire.org/defensible-space-rebate-program

Drop-Off Events

2025 Green Waste Drop-off Events

8 am – 1 pm

• Friday, May 30: corner of Northwoods Blvd. and Slalom Way, Tahoe Donner (Please enter on Northwoods Blvd from the east.)
• Saturday, June 28: Truckee Rodeo Grounds
• Friday, July 11: Truckee Rodeo Grounds

Self-service: drop-off your residential yard waste. Please limit loads to three yards per trip. Please, no bags, rocks, dirt, commercial yard waste, rounds larger than 24 inches, stumps, boards, or trash.

Truckee Fire Pick Up

Truckee Fire District will support your defensible space work by offering disposal options of most defensible space vegetation*, FREE of charge, from May-October.

Vegetation must be moved to the area in front of your property just off the edge of the roadway (i.e Curbside).

Eligible material for pick-up and haul away:

Woody biomass: shrubs, tree limbs, trees up to 8 inches diameter, either green or recently dead.

Visit the Truckee Fire District online to learn more and request your green waste pick-up: https://www.truckeefire.org/greenwaste