If you live in the mountains, you constantly deal with pine needles, branches, leaves, and yard debris. Big Bear Disposal, Inc. makes green waste removal easy, whether you are cleaning up for the weekend or tackling a big seasonal project.

Before you get started, here’s a simple guide to what you can put in your green waste cart, what to leave out, and how to make the most of the program.

Use your free green waste cart. Every Big Bear Lake resident can get a 96-gallon green waste cart at no extra cost. Call us if you need one. Use it to manage your yard debris every week.

Bag extra yard waste and set it curbside. If your cart fills up, residents with a green waste cart can place up to five additional bags of yard waste next to the cart at the curb each collection day. If you’ve opted out of receiving a green waste cart, Big Bear Disposal, Inc. will collect up to 15 green waste bags per week.

Cut branches and limbs to size. Tree limbs and brush must be less than four feet long and less than three inches in diameter to be accepted through curbside collection. Keeping material trimmed to size helps our crews collect it safely and efficiently.

Drop off green waste at the Clean Bear Site #1. Clean Bear Drop-Off Site #1 accepts green and yard waste. This is a great option for larger cleanups or for part-time residents who may not be around on their regular collection day.

Request additional carts if needed. If one green waste cart isn’t enough, additional carts are available for a small fee. This is especially useful during heavy cleanup seasons in spring and fall.

Don’t put dirt, rocks, or sod in your green waste cart. These materials are too heavy for curbside collection and can damage equipment. For large amounts of dirt or debris, ask us about a temporary bin or roll-off container.

Do not place plastic bags in the cart. Put green waste in the cart loosely. You may bag extra waste for curbside pickup, but loose material in the cart helps collection run smoothly.

Don’t mix trash or recyclables with green waste. Food waste, plastic, glass, and general household trash do not belong in the green waste cart. Contamination can cause an entire load to be rejected, sending it to the landfill rather than composting or processing it properly.

Don’t put large stumps, oversized limbs, or whole trees in the cart. Anything over four feet long or three inches in diameter won’t be accepted through curbside pickup. For larger tree removal or storm cleanup, Big Bear Disposal, Inc. offers temporary bins and roll-off containers. Give us a call, and we’ll help you figure out the right solution.

Do not drop off contractor green waste at Clean Bear Sites. Sites are for residents only. If you are paid to haul waste, contractor dumping is not allowed.

When you handle green waste the right way, it stays out of the landfill and can be put to better use. Proper disposal also lowers fire risk, which is especially important in our mountain community where dry brush and yard debris can fuel wildfires.

Taking a few minutes to sort your yard waste properly protects your property, your neighbors, and the valley we all share.

Questions?

Call our customer service team at (909) 866-3942, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Visit bigbeardisposal.com/services/residential-services for details.