FAQs • Oak Harbor, WA • CivicEngage

What can and can not go into the yard waste bag/bin?: To be accepted as yard waste, the material must consist of grass, leaves, pine needles, pinecones, thatch, vines, weeds, and branches or other such fresh yard waste type material, not putrefied. Woody material must be no more than 3 inches in diameter and not extend outside the approved collection container. Customers are cautioned that yard material may not contain any of the following: sod (beyond small amounts), rocks, dirt, gravel, concrete, glass, metal, plastic bags, household solid waste and recyclables, animal feces, paint residue, Christmas or holiday decorations, paper, flocking, dimensional lumber, stumps/roots.

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Solid Waste Division - Yard Waste

2. How can I sign up?: You can sign up at the Utilities department. View the Yard Waste 95 Gallon Rollcart Program and Sign up (PDF).

3. I saw on the news that the Seattle area can take meat, pizza boxes, cooked food, ect can I also?: No. Our program is not as evolved as theirs. We are working towards the same goal but our program is limited to just green waste as of this time.

4. What are the prices for a Yard waste bin/bag?: Yard waste bins are $9.72 peak season (March to November) and $3.25 during off-peak season (December to February). Yard waste bags are $3.50 each at Safeway, Haggen, Saar's Marketplace, and the Oak Harbor Utilities department.

5. What are the seasons?: Yard waste is picked up on a weekly basis from March to November. December to February it is picked up the first week of the month on your normal garbage day.

6. What can and can not go into the yard waste bag/bin?: To be accepted as yard waste, the material must consist of grass, leaves, pine needles, pinecones, thatch, vines, weeds, and branches or other such fresh yard waste type material, not putrefied. Woody material must be no more than 3 inches in diameter and not extend outside the approved collection container. Customers are cautioned that yard material may not contain any of the following: sod (beyond small amounts), rocks, dirt, gravel, concrete, glass, metal, plastic bags, household solid waste and recyclables, animal feces, paint residue, Christmas or holiday decorations, paper, flocking, dimensional lumber, stumps/roots.

7. What does "Too Heavy" mean?: If a bin is "Too Heavy" there is a fear of damaging the bin, the truck, or the driver. Bins should be less than 150 pounds and bags under 50 pounds. If you can barely move your bin or bag without tearing it, it's probably overweight.

8. Where can I purchase Yard waste bags?: Yard waste bags can be purchased at Safeway, Marketplace, and the Utilities Department. They cost $3.50 each.

9. Why can't you take dirt and rocks in the yard waste bin/bag?: They are heavy and will damage the truck. Our packer blades are metal on metal slide. If you introduce rocks and dirt it acts like sandpaper damaging it as well as the pressures that the packer blade produces can make holes in the body. Also if the bin is overloaded the truck may pick it up but the bin will not take the weight and break.