Garden waste belongs in a compost bin or Sortti Station

16.9.2026 11.33Updated: 18.9.2026 11.20

Green pears. — This year, fruit trees have produced an abundant harvest. However, fallen fruit must not be left on the ground for rats and other animals. Any excess fruit should be taken to appropriate collection points.Photo: Anna-Leena Solhagen

It is prohibited to dispose of garden waste in city-owned forests, meadows and parks.

Unfortunately, some people dispose of their garden waste, such as leaves, brushwood and plant waste, in public forests, meadows, parks and water areas. This is prohibited. Garden waste affects the forest floor and soil, resulting in the growth of plants like nettle and mugwort, which do not normally grow in forests.

Brushwood and pieces of perennial plants take root and start spreading in the wild as so-called escaped plants. Soil affected by garden waste provides ideal growing conditions for invasive species, such as Japanese rose, balsam, Asian knotweed and garden lupine. Many extensive occurrences of invasive species have originated from garden waste dumped in natural areas. Spanish slugs and their eggs are also transported from place to place with garden waste. Surplus apples left in nature attract rats.

Large heaps of garden waste can consist of leaves, branches, twigs, and even grit.Photo: Merja Myyry

You can compost garden waste in your own yard or take the waste to a Sortti Station. If your property has a separate biowaste collection bin, you can place small amounts of garden waste in it. However, biowaste collection is primarily intended for food waste. You can take garden waste to a Sortti Station for EUR 5.30 per 5 mᵌ load. You can also rent a trailer from the Sortti Station for transporting the waste. The rental fee for three hours is EUR 5.10.

For more information, contact Espoo Environmental Protection (tel. 09 8162 4832, Mon–Fri 10:00–15:30,) or the customer service of Helsinki Region Environmental Services (tel. +358 9 15612110) or visit their website(external link, opens in a new window).

Earlier published news articles contain more information about unauthorised land use and the responsibilities of property owners or occupants to keep their property clean.[NS2]