Local recyclers transform landscaping waste into sustainable solutions

Each week, thousands of pounds of yard waste are repurposed by recycling companies and turned into new soil. From organic materials to concrete and sand, these companies promote a sustainable option for both recyclers and those looking for landscaping materials.

In Vancouver, City Bark & Recycling handles a wide range of materials, from yard debris to concrete. Operations manager Jonathan James explained how the company’s processes not only divert waste from landfills but also provide eco-friendly solutions for landscaping needs.

“They don’t have to put it in the landfill, so it’s not just being wasted. Everything here’s [turned] into a useful product,” James explained.

City Bark receives thousands of pounds of yard waste daily from landscapers and homeowners, one of its largest intake categories. This yard waste is sent to a sister company, where it undergoes a six-month composting process. The resulting compost is then mixed with locally sourced sand, dirt and cow manure to create a special soil blend ideal for gardening.

“After all the farming that has gone on around here, we’ve kind of depleted the ground of nutrients,” James said. “Taking the compost and dirt together puts nutrients back into [soil].”

Landscaping recyclers, including City Bark, offer a variety of sustainable materials beyond just soil and yard waste. Concrete, for example, is crushed into gravel, while trees and accepted furniture are processed into wood chips. James noted there are limitations to what can be recycled, however. While City Bark and other recyclers accept metals for shipment to specialized recyclers, appliances containing coolants are not accepted due to environmental hazards. Additionally, brick materials are excluded because they degrade over time and cannot be reused effectively.

People can drop off waste or pick up recycled materials for landscaping projects at 2419 NE Andresen Road in Vancouver. Landscaping material pickup and dropoff is available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and metal scrap dropoff is offered from 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Additionally, southwest Washington residents can take stumps, logs and yard waste to H&H Wood, 8401 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver.