Weekly leaf and yard waste collection starts soon

Place materials curbside beginning the week of April 18

The ground has thawed, and the birds are chirping, which means it’s nearly time for leaf and yard waste collection! Starting the week of April 18, the City of Vaughan will pick up yard waste materials every week on your regular collection day. Bi-weekly collection will begin the week of June 13.

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 inclement weather overnight – like strong winds or heavy rain – wait to place your materials out in the morning.

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. Kraft paper bags must be kept dry – wet or degraded bags cannot be picked up as they will break during collection.

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 at york.ca/WasteDepots.  

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.

Why does leaf and yard waste collection start later in April?

The City’s leaf and yard waste weekly collection begins the third week of April each year to help protect native and pollinator-friendly species. You’re encouraged to help protect pollinators by delaying any seasonal yard work to later in the spring when temperatures are around 15 C and above. Yard waste and plants provide winter shelter for butterflies, moths, bees and other pollinating insects. In early spring, these insects are still hibernating inside leaves, stems and twigs, and collecting those materials too early might indirectly harm both the pollinators and the environment. Learn more about pollinators at vaughan.ca/environment.

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.

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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