Auburn, WA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

120(A) makes it unlawful to dispose of residential or commercial yard debris by commingling it with garbage or recycling set out at curbside. Subsection (B) sets the cart-based system: compostables carts are provided for curbside collection of yard debris and food scraps, but the city-contracted hauler will not accept compostables set out in plastic bags, or plastic bags placed inside another approved container, because plastic bags are treated as a noncompostable contaminant. Once the compostables cart is full, overflow must go into plastic or galvanized garbage containers no larger than 32 gallons or heavyweight brown paper bags, excluding food scraps, and any customer-owned overflow container must carry a durable sticker identifying its contents as compostables.

030(H): a city-approved wheeled cart with 35, 64 or 96 gallons of capacity, weighing no more than 65 pounds per 32-gallon capacity when full, fitted with a handle and cover, rodent, bird and insect resistant, and able to hold liquids without spilling upright. 030(L) covers produce, meats, bones, cheese, bread, coffee grounds and food-soiled paper such as napkins, paper plates and pizza boxes, but excludes dead animals over 15 pounds, plastics, diapers, cat litter, liquid wastes and pet wastes. 130(A) lets residents compost yard waste on their own premises instead of using the cart system, provided the site avoids odor, exposed raw garbage, scattering, or increased pest risk, and excludes nonputrescible garbage, animal wastes and fat-containing material.