Weekly leaf and yard waste collection starts this week!

Oct. 18, 2022 10:00 a.m.
​What you need to know for collection day and preparing your yard for winter

 

It’s that time of year again for weekly leaf and yard waste collection! Starting this week, the City of Vaughan will collect these materials every week until the week of Tuesday, Dec. 6.  

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

Leaf and yard waste must be placed 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. Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – degraded bags will not be picked up as they will break during collection. If you hired a company for lawn care services, ensure they are notified of these collection requirements. 

If you are not using a paper bag, you can place materials out in a bin with a yard waste sticker. Stickers are mailed out upon request by calling the City at 905-832-2281 or by emailing accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. They are also available at select community centres.

Remember to place yard waste at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day. You can also drop off yard waste at select York Region Waste Depots. 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 at 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. 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 bags. By leaving some pieces of your garden or leaves behind, you’re saving pollinators from being exposed to harsh winter conditions. Plants provide shelter for butterflies, moths, bees and other pollinating insects.
  • Think about next season’s butterflies. Leave plants that stand up straight and seed heads alone, like sunflowers, thistles and blackberry lilies. These flowers provide vital winter food for butterflies, as well as shelter to lay eggs. Birds also nest in these places over the winter.
  • Drain your hoses and turn off the outdoor water shut-off. If you leave hoses out full of water, they will freeze and crack. Draining your hoses, putting them in storage and turning off the outdoor water shut-off valve could save you from a surprising water bill in the spring.
  • Start backyard composting to create rich compost for your garden. Food scraps and peels, as well as coffee grinds, make great at-home compost. Compost bins for backyard composting are available for purchase from the City online through Service Vaughan.

Understanding and respecting the environmental impacts of leaf and yard waste collection affirms Vaughan’s commitment to environmental stewardship through protection and proactive environmental management, as outlined in the City’s 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

Visit the City’s leaf and yard waste webpage for more information. Learn more about the City’s other waste collection services at vaughan.ca/waste.

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