Green Waste

Living in the Sierras comes with the responsibility of creating and maintaining Defensible Space for wildfire protection.

For residents within the Truckee Fire Protection District, free curbside greenwaste pickup is available for defensible space projects (excluding pineneedles). Please follow this link for more information and to sign up for a reservation: truckeefire.org/greenwaste
This free defensible space pickup program is provided by Measure T funding, in coordination with Truckee Fire Protection District and Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal.

Please see below for green waste programs provided in your area.

El Dorado County
Eligible Eldorado County residents are encouraged to join in the community’s preparation for Fire Safety through Defensible Space measures. El Dorado residents who have started service no later than March 31 will qualify to receive a one-time annual green waste coupon in their April 1st billing notice. Each coupon allows residents to self haul up to 3 yards of yard-waste material to our ERL facility for disposal free of charge. If green waste is transported in bags, the bags must be emptied on site by the resident. To facilitate unloading, position a tarp on the bottom of the truck bed or trailer before loading green waste. Don’t forget to cover the load for safe hauling. In order to take advantage of the free coupon drop-off, residents are required to bring proof of El Dorado residency when presenting their coupon. ERL is located on Cabin Creek Road off HWY 89 three miles south of the Mouse Hole Tunnel. Coupon drop-off is available May 1 – October 31, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm.

Placer County
Placer County residents are encouraged to join in the community’s preparation for Fire Safety through Defensible Space measures.

Greenwaste Dumpster. During the months of May, June and July Placer County residents may purchase up to two 6-yard, Yard-Waste only dumpsters at the approved greenwaste disposal rates. Use of Yard-Waste Dumpsters is restricted to natural loose yard waste material and must not contain any bagged items. Dumpsters also accommodate larger woody material such as limbs and branches in addition to pine needles, pine cones, brush and garden waste.

Drop-It-Off. Residents are allowed to drop off up to 6 yards of yard-waste material to the Eastern Regional Landfill (ERL). If material is transported in bags, the bags must be emptied on site by the hauler. To facilitate unloading, position a tarp on the bottom of the truck bed or trailer before loading the material.  Don’t forget to cover the load for safe hauling. In order to be issued their punch card for free drop-off, residents are required to bring proof of residency. ERL is located on Cabin Creek Road off HWY 89 three miles south of the Mouse Hole Tunnel. Free drop-off is available May 1 – October 31, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm.

Special Events.  Placer County periodically sponsors Defensible Space events, wherein residents are invited to self haul green waste items to central collection points. Event dates and details are locally advertised prior to occurrence.

Truckee

Three convenient options are available to residents seeking to create and maintain Defensible Space for wildfire protection. The Drop-it-Off and/or Discounted Dumpster options should be used for initial, primary clean-up. After the property is raked, the branches trimmed, and the brush cleared, use the Green Cart program to maintain defensible space into autumn.

Discounted Dumpster.  During the months of May through October Truckee residents may purchase up to two 6-yard, Yard-Waste only dumpsters at discounted rates. Use of Yard-Waste Dumpsters is restricted to natural loose yard waste material and must not contain any bagged items. Dumpsters also accommodate larger woody material such as limbs and branches in addition to pine needles, pine cones, brush and garden waste.

Drop-It-Off. Residents are allowed to drop off up to 6 yards of yard-waste material to the Eastern Regional Landfill (ERL).   If material is transported in bags, the bags must be emptied on site by the hauler. To facilitate unloading, position a tarp on the bottom of the truck bed or trailer before loading the material.  Don’t forget to cover the load for safe hauling. In order to be issued their punch card for free drop-off, residents are required to bring proof of residency. ERL is located on Cabin Creek Road off HWY 89 three miles south of the Mouse Hole Tunnel. Free drop-off is available May 1 – October 31, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm.

Curbside Green Carts for Maintenance.  Residents participating in the curbside program must utilize Green Carts. Please visit keeptruckeegreen.org to learn more about the Green Cart program.

Events
Various areas offer programs to encourage residents to join in the community’s preparation for Fire Safety through Defensible Space measures. Please contact our office to find programs and event dates in your area.

2023 Greenwaste Only Event days – Customers must unload material themselves – residential only.

No dirt, rock, sod, rounds or bags.  Greenwaste only, proof of residency required. Max 3yd loads.
Area Date & Time Location Note
Homewood 6/17/23 7:30am-2pm Homewood Ski Resort Placer County residents
Tahoe Vista 6/17/23 7:30am-2pm 875 National Ave Placer County residents
Tahoe City 6/17/23 7:30am-2pm 300 Fairway Drive Placer County residents
Truckee 7/14/23 8am-2pm Rodeo Grounds Nevada County residents
Truckee 7/28/23 8am-2pm Rodeo Grounds Nevada County residents
Truckee 8/12/23 8am-2pm Rodeo Grounds Nevada County residents