Compost Site - Yard waste drop-off
Address: Across the street from the Hazardous Waste Facility - 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Phone: 507-328-7070 Fax: 507-328-7090
Compost Site Hours: Open seven days a week during daylight hours
Department Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: reducewaste@olmstedcounty.gov
Acceptable yard waste
Suggested donation rate: $5
- Grass Clippings
- Hay
- Leaves
- "Non-Woody" Garden Waste
- Potted Plants (remove from plastic container)
- Straw
- Wood Chips (6 inches or less)
Unacceptable yard waste
- Branches & Woody Debris
- Brush
- Fireplace Ashes
- Food Waste
- Garbage / Hazardous Waste
- Liquids / Oils
- Noxious / Invasive Weeds (throw in garbage)
- Pet Waste
- Rocks
- Sawdust
- Tree bark
- Walnuts
- Wood Chips (larger than 6 inches)
Christmas tree disposal
Through March, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Olmsted County Compost Site any day of the week during daylight hours. There is no disposal fee, but residents should remove the stand, ornaments, and lights.
Wreaths, swags, boughs, and other evergreen decorations should be placed in a bag and thrown in the garbage to prevent the spread of an invasive species known as the Elongate Hemlock Scale (a pest that feeds on conifer trees). Do not compost.
Invasive species - Jumping Worms
Jumping worms are an invasive species of earthworm that can strip nutrients from topsoil and damage the roots of plants in nurseries, gardens, and turf. Check your yard waste before bringing it to the Compost Site.
To date, jumping worms have not been found in the finished compost at the Compost Site.