Yard
waste is collected every other week from April to November on your scheduled
collection day. To determine your collection day, please check our online Recycle Coach app or refer to the Waste and Recycling Calendar.
Remember to place yard waste containers at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before collection. Ensure that yard waste material set out for collection is in accordance with the Town's waste program requirements. Please remove emptied containers and any uncollected waste from the curb by 8 p.m. on collection day.
Acceptable Containers- Kraft paper bags designed for leaf and yard waste material.
- Reusable containers such as regulation sized garbage containers that are waterproof, durable, rust resistant, non-absorbent with two open, rigid handles and a close fitting cover. The container must not exceed 20 in. (50 cm) in diameter or 36 in. (90 cm) in height and must be marked with a "Yard Waste" sticker.
Unacceptable Containers- Cardboard boxes
- Garbage bags (in any colour)
- Green bins
- Oversized rigid containers
- Recycling blue boxes
- Containers resembling blue boxes
Weight LimitThe
maximum weight per yard waste bag/container and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs). Includes bundled branches/twigs.
Waste Set-out Requirements- Place yard waste bags/containers and bundles at the curb by 7 a.m. for collection on your scheduled collection day. Do not place yard waste containers/bags or bundles on the road or sidewalk as it may pose as a hazard to vehicular traffic and other residents. Proper placement will also help avoid damage to containers/bags and will reduce interference with Town operations.
- Keep yard waste containers/bags and bundles separate from your neighbours.
- Do not overfill yard waste containers/bags.
- Maximum weight per yard waste bag/container and its contents must not exceed 22 kg (50 lbs). Includes bundled branches/twigs.
- Bundles must not exceed 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length, 0.6 m (2 ft.) in diameter, and individual branches must not exceed 10 cm (4 in.) in diameter.
Acceptable Leaf and Yard Waste Materials- Leaves, shrubbery, brush and tree trimmings, flowers, weeds, plants (soil removed), pumpkins, corn stalks.
- Branches, twigs and cuttings that are tied in secure bundles and are less than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length, 0.6 m (2 ft.) in diameter and individual branches are less than 10 cm (4 in.) in diameter.
Unacceptable Leaf and Yard Waste Materials- Grass clippings, rocks, stumps, dirt, soil, sod, root balls, kitchen scraps and food waste, flower pots/trays, animal droppings, driveway and road sweepings, painted/treated wood, garbage.
- Branches, twigs and cuttings that are not tied and not in secure bundles.
- Branches, twigs and cuttings that are longer than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length and 0.6 m (2 ft.) in diameter and individual branches exceed 10 cm (4 in.) in diameter.
Grass ClippingsGrass clippings are not an accepted yard waste material and is not collected in the curbside yard waste pick-up program.
Once grass has been cut, it starts to decompose. Due to processing challenges at York Region composting facilities and the amount of odour produced when decomposing, grass clippings are not collected.
GrasscyclingGrasscycling is the best way to decompose grass clippings. Grasscycling is the act of leaving grass clippings on your lawn after mowing. Benefits include:
- Reduces the need for fertilizers by 30 per cent
- Returns nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium back to the soil to help build healthy roots
- Reduces collection and processing costs at Yard Waste depots, which supports the York Region Leaf and Yard Waste and Composting Strategy in the SM4RT Living Plan (Waste Management Master Plan)
Grasscycling is regarded as a best practice for many large Ontario municipalities such as the City of Toronto, Durham Region and Niagara Region who have banned grass clippings from their curbside yard waste collection programs.
Residents can take small amounts of grass clippings to the Bloomington Yard Waste Depot (1351 Bloomington Road) in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
For more information on grasscycling and helpful tips, visit our Grasscycling webpage.
