On now: weekly leaf and yard waste collection

Got leaves? We’re coming for them! The City of Vaughan is now collecting leaf and yard waste every week, no matter your zone, on your scheduled collection day until the week of Dec. 5. 

Keep in mind, due to the higher volumes of materials in the fall, there may be pickup delays this season. If this happens, leave your waste out until it’s collected.

Before you place your materials at the curb, here are some must-know collection day tips:

• Don’t be late: Place your materials at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. If the forecast calls for wind or rain overnight, place your materials out in the morning.
• Use the right bags: Leaf and yard waste must be placed out in Kraft paper bags or open-top rigid containers with handles, up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size, and clearly marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” Plastic bags are not permitted. 
• Keep the bags dry: Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – wet or damaged bags cannot be picked up as they will break during collection. 
• Request a yard waste sticker: 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.

As a reminder, here are items that are accepted in leaf and yard waste collection:

• plant material (no soil) and leaves
• branches, twigs and cuttings that are tied in secure bundles and less than 1.5 metres (five feet) in length and 0.6 metres (two feet) in diameter, weighing less than 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds)
• individual branches that are less than 10 centimetres (four inches) in diameter, bundled securely
• pumpkins, straw and cornstalks

Here are items that are not accepted:

• stumps and root balls
• any leaf and yard waste material contaminated with household waste or non-leaf and yard waste, such as green bin organics
• sod, soil, rocks or stones 

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.  

Prepare your garden and yard for winter

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 both now and in the future! 

Here are some ways you can prepare your garden and yard for winter:

• 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 leaving 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. Food scraps, such as tomato peels, potato skins, eggshells and coffee grinds, make for great fertilizer for your garden. You can collect them and continue to compost over the fall and winter months! 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. Learn more about the City’s waste collection services at vaughan.ca/waste.

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