
Did you know? The City of Clearwater offers year-round curb-side compost pick-up as a service to its residents under City Code Sec. 14-192 – Curb-side compost.
The city accepts authorized compost materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and small brush. There are certain requirements city residents must meet for pick-up. One such requirement is the use of compostable bags. Starting June 1, 2024, the city will begin to enforce the requirement to place yard waste in compostable bags.
Why compostable bags?
Eco-Friendly: Compostable bags are environmentally friendly and help reduce plastic waste in our community. By using them, you're contributing to a cleaner, greener Clearwater.
Easy Collection: Compostable bags are designed to break down with your compost materials, making the pick-up process smoother and more efficient for our dedicated City staff.
Sustainable Choice: Your choice of compostable bags aligns with Clearwater's commitment to sustainability. It's a small change that can have a big impact on our environment.
While this has been a requirement per city ordinance, enforcement has not been strictly enforced, often leaving city staff to open and dispose of non-compostable bags during the pick-up process. Please be prepared to use compostable bags for pick-up by June 1, 2024. Residents will be responsible for purchasing compostable bags. Compostable bags can be found online or at in-store retailers. Remember, if you do not meet the compost pick-up requirements, there will be no pick-up service for that day.
Curb-side Pick-Up Info
The city’s compost pick-up days are the first Wednesday of each month and may extend into Thursday depending on pick-up volume on Wednesdays. Please have your bags or piles ready at the curb or the edge of your alley by 7:00 AM on the scheduled pick-up date.
For an easy pick-up process, please stack brush/branches neatly, with the larger end facing the street. Unfortunately, we can't collect stumps, root balls, or any brush with dirt attached. Grass cuttings and leaves must be in a compostable bag, not more than 50lbs. Keep in mind that compost materials should only come from within the City of Clearwater limits.
Drop-Off Option
If you prefer a DIY approach, you can drop off your grass cuttings/leaves at the compost pile located at the City Maintenance Shop (1275 County Rd 75 NW, Clearwater, MN 55320). Remember, this service is exclusive to Clearwater residents within city limits.
When dropping off compostable bags, there's no need to empty them. For non-compostable bags, please remove the clippings/leaves.
Feel free to take compost or wood chips for your personal use from the compost pile. As a reminder, the site is under surveillance.
For a deeper dive into curb-side compost guidelines, consult the city ordinance or visit the City of Clearwater’s Compost Pick-Up webpage.