Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

We collect leaf and yard waste every other week on your regular garbage collection day, from April until late November or early December every year.

Place your yard waste in Kraft paper bags, found in grocery stores and hardware stores, or in approved reusable open-top containers.

Bundled brush and branches

Please place any brush or tree branches in securely tied bundles no larger than 1 m in length (or 3 feet), 76 cm (or 30 inches) in width and 10 cm (or four inches) in diameter.

Bag and container limits

The maximum weight per yard waste bag or container is 20 kg (or 44 pounds). The maximum height of an approved reusable open-top container is 82 cm (or 32 inches).

Acceptable yard waste

Decorative cornstalks
Fallen fruit from trees
Halloween pumpkins and gourds
Hedge trimmings
Leaves and pine needles
Plant and garden waste
Weeds

Unacceptable yard waste

Grass clippings
Hay bales
Lawn aeration plugs
Milled lumber and lattice
Plastic bags and plastic flower pots
Pressure treated wood
Rocks
Sod, soil and clay
Tree stumps

Grass clippings

Whitby does not accept grass clippings in any of our waste collection programs. We recommend that you leave grass clippings on the lawn so they can break down naturally. This is called Grasscycling. This helps return nutrients back into the soil, and reduces the need to fertilize and water your lawn.

Grasscycling Tips

Allow your lawn to grow at least 9 cm (3.5 inches) in height
Do not cut your lawn shorter than 6 cm (2.3 inches) in height
Do not cut your grass when it is wet
Grass is 80 to 90% water. Leave your grass clipping on your lawn and you'll see it disappear in a few days, leaving you no mess!

Christmas tree collection

We collect natural Christmas trees every January on a designated week. Check your waste collection schedule to learn more or contact us for an accessible copy.

Please remove all decorations, wiring, strands and plastic. If your tree is longer than 3 m (or 10 feet), please cut it in half before collection. Trees frozen in snow banks will not be collected.

Invasive species

Learn how to properly dispose of any invasive plant species that you may find on your property.