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Yard Waste
COVID-19: Yard Waste Drop-off Update
In an effort to reduce further spread of COVID-19, we ask residents to use their curbside yard waste collection and only drop off yard waste if absolutely critical, fees apply. Cash is not accepted at this time.
Please check your town or city website for your yard waste collection schedule and to find out what's accepted at the curb.
Ways to reduce your yard waste include:
- Leaf mulching
- Grass-cycling (i.e. leaving grass clipping on your lawn)
- Backyard composting
Residents can also drop off excess yard waste for a fee at three Waste Depot locations in York Region: the Georgina Transfer Station, the McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre (as of September 2, 2020) and the Bloomington Yard Waste Depot (owned and operated by Miller Waste), where yard waste will be turned into nutrient-rich compost.
Waste Depot locations, hours and fees can be found at york.ca/wastedepots.
To see if a specific item is accepted as yard waste, please use Bindicator.
What is Accepted at the Yard Waste Depot
- Branches (no larger than 15 cm / 6 in. diameter and 1.8 m / 6 ft. in length)
- Christmas Tree
- Flowers and plants
- Vegetable garden waste including pumpkins
- Leaves
- Shrubs
- Sod with dirt removed in small residential quantities (Bloomington Road location only)
- Weeds
What is Not Accepted
- Animal waste
- Driveway and road sweepings
- Grass clippings
- Kitchen and food waste
- Rocks
- Root balls
- Soil and clean fill
- Stumps
Drop-off Locations
Yard waste may be dropped off (fees apply):
- Bloomington Yard Waste Depot — new fees as of July 2, 2020
- Georgina Transfer Station, Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Depot
- McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre — new service accepting yard waste as of September 2, 2020
For curbside collection, please contact your local municipality
Frequently Asked Questions and Tips
What type of bags can I use to drop off yard waste?
Kraft paper bags are acceptable. Plastic bags are not accepted. Plastic bags with yard waste in them need to be emptied and the plastic bag disposed of.
How can I reduce the amount of yard waste I generate?
Try these helpful tips:
- Compost your yard waste in a backyard composter
- Practice grasscycling by leaving your grass clippings on your lawn
- Mulch leaves for use on your gardens