How to Bag Leaves for Yard Waste Collection in York Region

Short answer: Use paper yard waste bags or an open rigid container, not plastic bags. Keep each bag light enough to lift, set it at the curb by early morning on your collection day, and check your city’s yard waste calendar, because dates and limits differ between Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Aurora and Newmarket.

Step by step

1. Use the right container. Paper yard waste bags from hardware stores, or a rigid open-top container with handles. Plastic bags are generally refused.
2. Keep leaves dry if you can. Dry leaves weigh much less. Bag after a dry day, not after rain.
3. Do not overfill. Fold the top over so the bag can be picked up without spilling.
4. Leaves and yard waste only. No soil, sod, rocks or household garbage in the bags.
5. Branches separately. Most cities ask for small branches to be bundled and tied, within size limits.
6. Set out on time. Bags go to the curb by early morning on collection day, not days ahead.
7. Check the calendar. Fall yard waste collection usually runs until early December. Each city publishes its own schedule.

How many bags will you need?

It depends entirely on your trees. A front yard with one young maple might fill a few bags. A lot backing onto a ravine with mature oaks can fill dozens over the season. If you are running out of bags or curb space, consider haul-away.

What to avoid

• Plastic bags, which are generally not collected.
• Bags so heavy they tear when lifted.
• Leaving bags out for a week, where rain soaks and splits them.
• Raking leaves into the road for pickup unless your city runs loose-leaf collection on your street.

When to call a professional

Our leaf cleanup rakes, blows and bags everything ready for collection day, or hauls it away so nothing waits at the curb.

Questions homeowners ask

Can I use any paper bag?

Use bags sold for yard waste. Thin shopping bags tear and spill.

Is there a limit on bags?

Some cities set limits per collection. Check your municipal yard waste page.

What if I miss the last collection?

Store the bags somewhere dry until spring collection, or book a haul-away.