Pumpkins and cornstalks and leaves, oh my!
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Fall leaf and yard waste begins Oct. 20
Fall weather brings beautiful autumn colours to trees across Vaughan with leaves changing to shades of red, orange and yellow. But what’s not so exciting is all the foliage that needs to be raked up. The City of Vaughan is reminding citizens that weekly fall leaf and yard waste will begin the week of Oct. 20 until Dec. 11. Pumpkins, straw and cornstalks are to be placed out with yard waste.
Leaf and yard waste can be placed in Kraft paper bags or designated open-top rigid containers such as a regulation-sized garbage containers marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.”
Acceptable leaf and yard waste materials include:
- plant material (soil removed), leaves, branches, twigs, pumpkins, straw and cornstalks
- 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
Materials that do not belong in leaf and yard waste include:
- any leaf and yard waste material set out in a container other than an acceptable container
- any container or bundle weighing more than 20.5 kilograms (45 pounds)
- branches, twigs and cuttings that are not tied, not in secure bundles and not longer than 1.5 metres (five feet) and 0.6 metres (two feet) in diameter
- individual branches exceeding 10 centimetres (four inches) in diameter
- 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
- any set out that contains sod, soil, rocks or stones (contact York Region for rock and stone disposal options)
Leaf and yard waste should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection and no later than 7 a.m. on the day of collection. The time of collection could change at any time without notice. Due to volume, collection may be slower than usual – residents are encouraged to leave leaf and yard waste out into the following day if it is not picked up. Visit vaughan.ca/waste for leaf and yard waste program details and requirements.
What goes where?
In collaboration with the City’s waste collection contractor, Miller Waste Systems Inc., blue boxes will not be picked up that have personal protective equipment (PPE) items in them, such as:
- masks
- gloves
- paper towels
- tissues
- wipes
- plastic bags
These items will not be collected and will be left with a sticker reminding citizens these items should be bagged securely and placed in the garbage.
Here are examples of other household items that cannot be recycled and belong in the garbage:
- black plastic containers
- coffee cups and coffee pods
- garden hoses
- hangers (plastic or metal)
- lawn furniture
- metal bakeware
- plastic plates and cutlery
- pool liners and covers
For a complete list of items and where to dispose of them, download the full guide (PDF) to understand what goes where.
The City also offers an online tool to help residents learn how to properly dispose of their waste at vaughan.ca/waste. To get started, simply type in an item – for example, latex gloves, face mask, paper towel, coffee cup, electronics or cardboard – and the tool will list the bin it should be placed in.
Residents can also download the free Recycle Coach app to their mobile phone. Found in the app store, it will provide information on where and how to dispose of waste. The app also offers a personalized collection schedule and tips and tricks on how to recycle more and waste less.
Safe waste handling
Citizens should continue to practice good infection prevention and control when handling any waste by washing their hands and any surfaces it has contacted.
The following steps should be taken when handling waste:
- Carefully bag all garbage and green bin materials in plastic bags.
- If anyone in a household is ill, place any item that has contacted the mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage. This includes items that would normally be placed into the green bin (tissues, napkins) or blue box (water/beverage bottles, pop cans).
- Do not flush any disinfectant wipes or baby wipes down the toilet as they can damage household plumbing and cause sewer blockages and backups.
The City’s waste collection contractor, Miller Waste Systems Inc., continues to use the recommended PPE to protect workers from hazards they may encounter while handling residential waste bags and bins. The City also urges citizens to do their part and help protect collection staff by safely handling their waste and bins and refraining from approaching the waste collectors as they perform their work.
Blue box and green bin exchange program
With the Joint Operations Centre closed due to COVID-19, the Environmental Services department is piloting a program to allow residents to replace broken City blue boxes and green bins through home delivery. All broken blue boxes and green bins branded with the City of Vaughan logo are eligible for free exchange. This is one of many initiatives implemented by the City to support residents during the pandemic.
Deliveries will be made on the day following scheduled waste collection, subject to availability. To request an exchange and arrange a delivery, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/waste.
Garbage tags
Garbage tags can also be purchased from the safety of home by calling Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. The resident’s address, garbage tag quantity and payment will be taken at the time of the call. Garbage tags will be mailed out within one business day. The garbage limit is three items every other week – including bulky items. A paid garbage tag is required for any item exceeding the three-item limit, up to 13 items maximum.
Waste-less Virtual Visits
For residents finding they are putting more garbage to the curb, City staff are offering online one-on-one coaching sessions to help sort out more material into the blue box and green bin, which have no collection limits. These virtual sessions are designed to help you understand what goes where, reduce landfill and answer any questions about the City’s waste collection services.
For more information about City matters, please call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca.
To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
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