Holiday waste collection 101

While the festive season is a time of relaxation for many, our waste collectors continue to work hard to pick up your materials. To help your collection day run smoothly, here is everything you need to know about the City of Vaughan’s waste services over the holidays: 

Waste collection schedule

The waste collection schedule will not be affected by the holidays. Remember to place all items curbside by 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Staff will not return for materials set out late. Pickup times may be impacted by winter weather.

Christmas tree collection

During the first two weeks of January, the City will collect real Christmas trees in both blue and yellow zones on your scheduled collection day. For example, if you live in the yellow zone and your collection day is Wednesday, you can put your Christmas tree curbside on either Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 or Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Be sure to remove all tinsel and ornaments first, and do not put the tree in a plastic bag. Ensure it is placed off the road and snowbanks so collection staff can access it safely. If you have broken glass ornaments, safely package the pieces in a cardboard box labelled “broken glass.”

Double-Up Days

Double-Up Days take place during the weeks of Jan. 2 or Jan. 9, 2024, depending on your scheduled collection day. This means that instead of a three-item garbage limit, you can place up to six items at the curb with no paid garbage tags required.

Large or bulky items, such as mattresses, chairs and tables, can be placed curbside, and each piece counts as one item toward the six-item limit. Read the guidelines for setting out large or bulky items for more details. The City also picks up toilets curbside. Two-piece toilets must be disassembled to be collected. Watch this short video on how to disassemble a two-piece toilet.

Setting out waste in the winter

With snowy days ahead, it’s important to set waste back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway (when facing the home) where possible. Bins, bags and Christmas trees should never be buried in snow or placed on top of or behind snowbanks. This allows crews to collect waste safely and for plows to clear snow efficiently in residential areas. 

Where to buy waste bins

If you need a new blue box or green bin, you can purchase them online through Service Vaughan and have them delivered right to your door. Alternatively, buy these items in person at select community centres, while supplies last. You can also sign up through Service Vaughan to exchange a broken City-issued blue box or green bin for a new one. 

Have questions about waste collection?

While our waste collectors are working to pick up waste, Service Vaughan is here to answer your questions. If you have questions about your waste, call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email service@vaughan.ca. 

For more information on the City’s waste services, visit vaughan.ca/waste.

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