Leaf and yard waste collection ends this week

The City of Vaughan’s leaf and yard waste collection ends this week – and we want to help make your upcoming collection day run smoothly. Here’s what you need to know:

• Place your materials at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection day and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day. Collection times may vary.
• Leaf and yard waste must be placed out in Kraft paper bags or open-top rigid containers with handles of up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size and clearly marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Plastic bags are not permitted.
• Keep the Kraft paper bags dry – wet or degraded bags cannot be picked up as they will break during collection. If the forecast calls for inclement weather overnight – like strong winds or heavy rain – wait until the morning to place out your materials.
• If you are not using a paper bag, you can place materials in a bin with a yard waste sticker. Stickers are mailed out upon request by calling Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or emailing service@vaughan.ca. They are also available at select community centres while supplies last.

You can also drop off yard waste at select York Region waste depots – fees apply. The depots accept larger materials, including branches (no larger than 30 centimetres in diameter and 1.8 metres in length), flowers, plants, leaves, shrubs and more. For more information, visit york.ca/WasteDepots. 

If you have leftover leaf and yard waste after collection ends, you can place them curbside with Christmas tree collection during the weeks of Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, 2025, on your scheduled collection day.

Think before you rake!

Did you know mindful yard work in the fall will help save bees, butterflies and other pollinators in the spring? It can also positively impact the environment now and in the future! 

Here’s how you can help:

• Don’t churn your soil or garden beds. Plants provide shelter for butterflies, moths, bees and other pollinating insects. At the end of the season, it might be tempting to rip plants out, churn or till the dirt, and put everything into your leaf and yard waste bags. By keeping some pieces of your garden or leaves behind, you’re saving pollinators from being exposed to harsh winter conditions.

• Think about next season’s butterflies. Leave plants that stand up straight and have seed heads alone, like sunflowers, thistles and blackberry lilies. These flowers provide a vital winter food supply for butterflies, as well as shelter to lay their eggs. Birds also nest in these places over the winter.

• Start backyard composting. Grass clippings, yard waste and fruit and vegetable peels make for great fertilizer for your garden. Backyard compost bins are available for purchase from the City online through Service Vaughan.

Visit the City’s leaf and yard waste webpage for more information.

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