The City of Raleigh's Yard Waste Center transforms yard waste into award-winning compost and mulch.
Municipal crews deliver yard waste from curbside collections and city parks to the Yard Waste Center, where it is processed and composted for three to five months. Once matured, the decomposed yard waste is separated and made available for purchase in seven different products.
Wake County residents can drop off excess yard waste for a fee. Commercial vendors are not permitted to drop off yard waste materials. Find a site that accepts commercial yard waste material.
Operating Hours
The Yard Waste Center is open:
- Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Saturday from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
*Hours are subject to change due to inclement weather events.
2025 Holidays and Planned Closures
The Yard Waste Center will be closed for drop-off of yard waste debris and purchase of products on the following dates.
- New Year's Day: Jan. 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance: Jan. 18-20
- Good Friday Observance: April 19 (Sat.)
- Memorial Day Observance: May 24-26
- Independence Day: July 4
- Labor Day Observance: Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
- Thanksgiving Day: Nov. 27
- Christmas Day: Dec. 25
- New Year's Day (2026): Jan. 1
Residents can use the Raleigh Reuse Web Tool and Mobile App for up-to-date information on closures.
Items to Purchase
You can buy the following items at the Yard Waste Center. Prices vary depending on the type of product and amount.
Organic compost: $10 - $30
Organic mulch: $8 to $20
Leaf mulch: $7 to $20
Dyed Mulch: $10 to $30
An active Yard Waste Center account is required for commercial customers and orders over 11 cubic yards. To request an account, customers must submit an online account application. They can also complete and return a hard copy of the application.
Yard Waste Drop-Off
Yard Waste Center does not accept:
- Pallet(s)
- Any Commercial load
- Any load larger than a single axle, non-dumping utility trailer measuring 5 feet wide, 8 feet long, and 2 feet deep.
We recommend that commercial vendors find alternative options for dumping.
Know Before You Go
Upon arrival at the Yard Waste Center, you will have to weigh in at the Scale House. The scale house operator will ask for:
- License plate number
- Form of payment
After weighing in, your vehicle will be directed to the designated drop-off area. Please note that staff are unable to assist with loading or unloading materials.
Learn more
You can find out more about:
- Product pricing by type and amount
- Types of yard waste products
- How to use mulch and compost
- Yard waste drop-off fees
Call 919-996-3245 or email SWS@raleighnc.gov.
