Yard & Garden Waste

Yard Waste

 Whidbey Island:

• Coupeville Solid Waste Complex, fees apply. Yard waste includes grass clippings, brush, leaves, branches, and tree limbs. Yard waste does not include sod, dirt, gravel, rocks, plastics, wood, lumber or garbage; these items are accepted as garbage, construction or depending upon size hard-to-handle wastes.
• The City of Oak Harbor offers curbside yard waste pick-up in addition to garbage and recycling services.
• The City of Langley accepts yard waste and storm debris at the Treatment Facility on Coles Road.  Yard waste tickets must be purchased in advance at City Hall. 
• Mailliards Landing Nursery in Oak Harbor accepts yard waste, fees apply.
• All Whidbey Topsoil in Freeland accepts branches and stumps, fees apply. 

Camano Island:

• Camano Solid Waste Dropbox & Recycle Park, fees apply. Yard waste includes grass clippings, brush, leaves, branches, and tree limbs. Yard waste does not include sod, dirt, gravel, rocks, plastics, wood, lumber or garbage; these items are accepted as garbage, construction or depending upon size hard-to-handle wastes.
• Waste Management offers curbside composting (food and yard waste) collection service for residents on Camano Island. 
• Lenz Enterprises accepts yard debris for recycling, fees apply.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds are undesirable non-native plants that have economic, ecological, or aesthetic implications. Noxious weeds are often highly destructive and extremely competitive with native flora, making them very difficult to control. Class A, B, and C noxious weeds are accepted at the Coupeville Solid Waste Complex and Camano Solid Waste Dropbox & Recycle Park for no charge.  To prevent spread during transit cover or bag your noxious weeds.  

• Island County Noxious Weed Control Board - The Noxious Weeds Program Coordinator is available to provide educational and technical assistance.
• Washington State Weed Control Board

Outdoor Burning

Island County Public Health issues burn permits to the residents of Island County. When a Burn Ban is not in effect, permits can be obtained at the Public Health Department in Coupeville or Camano Island. Permanent burn ban areas (except small recreational fires) include Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Freeland, and Langley. 

Native Plant Gardening

Benefits of landscaping with native plants reduces watering needs, susceptibility to pests, and provide a yard that easier to care for.  Native plants also provide food and habitat for native fauna.   Visit the Washington Native Plant Society for more information.

Non-Toxic Yard Care

Help reduce the synthetic chemical burden of Island County’s land, groundwater and the Puget Sound by practicing safer alternatives. 

• The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides information on how to create a healthy garden with minimal or no use of synthetic chemicals.
• The Washington Toxics Coalition is a great regional resource to learn about toxic products around the home and garden, and safer alternatives.

Composting

Composting is nature's way of recycling organic matter which can then be used as a soil amendment, mulch, or top dressing.  Compost can be used in your garden, yard, or for your potted plants to improve soil and help retain moisture. When organic matter is buried in a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) producing methane gas.  Composting allows organic matter to decompose aerobically (with oxygen) producing a nutrient rich organic, natural fertilizer.

 See WSU Waste Wise of Island County for how-to brochures, demonstration sites and more.