Set leaf and yard waste out no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection

Yard cleanup is in full swing, with many more days of raking leaves as the seasons change. As the City of Vaughan’s leaf and yard waste collection continues, we want to help ensure your collection days run smoothly. Keep the following five tips top of mind:

1. Set waste materials out no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection and no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day.

If you have hired a landscaper or yard cleanup service, ensure they are aware of the correct collection set-out times.

2. Check your 2024 Waste Collection Schedule to confirm your upcoming leaf and yard waste collection days.

The City’s leaf and yard waste collection is on a biweekly schedule until the week of Oct. 15. That means staff are currently picking up materials every other week on your scheduled collection day. Forget when your collection day is? View your schedule at vaughan.ca/WasteCalendar.

3. Leaf and yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags or open-top rigid containers with handles of up to 121 litres (32 gallons) in size and marked “Leaf and Yard Waste.” 

Plastic bags are not permitted. Keep 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 your materials out.

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.

4. You can drop off yard waste at select York Region waste depots – fees apply. 

The depots accept larger materials, including branches (no bigger than 30 centimetres in diameter and 1.8 metres in length), flowers, plants, leaves, shrubs and more. For more information, visit york.ca/WasteDepots. 

5. Try composting yard waste materials.

Consider purchasing a backyard composter to turn yard waste materials into compost. You can leave grass clippings on your lawn to decrease the amount of leaf and yard waste placed at the curb for collection.

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

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