Yard Waste (Brush And Leaf) Collection
YOUR CALENDAR
A custom brush & leaf collection calendar for your address.
RELATED LINKS
Don't know how to throw it out? Use the Waste Sorting Lookup.
Learn how to maintain your lawn and garden without using cosmetic pesticides.
Learn more about grasscycling — the natural recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn.
PDF HELP
The freely available Adobe Reader software can be used to view the PDF documents on the City of Kingston Web site.
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The City of Kingston collects yard waste (leaves and brush) just once a year (in the fall). However, you can compost yard waste year-round — in your own backyard or at approved drop-off sites.
COMPOSTING SITES
Yard waste and Christmas trees can be dropped off at the Kingston Area Recycling Centre (KARC), 196 Lappan's Lane, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In Kingston East, Norterra Organics, at 2069 Joyceville Road is a convenient drop-off location for yard waste, beginning in 2009. The Norterra site operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (For more information, contact Norterra Organics at 613-546-0884).
As of Dec. 31, 2008, the Kingston East Landfill on 4th Concession Road is no longer accepting residential brush, leaves, yard waste or Christmas trees.
ANNUAL FALL COLLECTION
The City is no longer accepting leaves and brush in plastic bags during its annual fall collection. Leaves must be put on the curb in a paper bag, or placed loosely into a rigid-sided container such as a garbage can or bushel.
Residents are asked to follow these simple guidelines to help make yard waste collection more efficient:
- Brush collection takes place in October and leaf collection in November and early December. To find the collection weeks in your area, see your personalized Brush & Leaf Collection Calendar.
- All materials must be at the curb by 8 a.m. on the Monday of your brush and leaf collection weeks. Please note that each street will only be collected once for brush and once for leaves. Collection may occur on any day of the week designated for your address.
- Brush is to be stacked — not bundled — with butt ends facing the street.
- Brush must measure 15 centimetres (six inches) or less in diameter, and less than 90 centimetres (three feet) in length.
- Brush placed at the curb during a leaf collection week will not be collected.
- Root balls and logs are not accepted.
- Residents must use KRAFT bags (brown paper bags) to throw out their leaves — or place them loosely in rigid-sided container such as a garbage can or bushel. Yard waste in plastic bags will NOT be picked up by collectors. Unlike plastic bags, KRAFT or paper bags can be composted along with the leaves.
- Leaf collection includes miscellaneous yard waste like tomato plants and vegetable garden waste, but not brush.
- Bags of leaves must not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
- Do not place dirt or grass clippings in bags.
- Do not contaminate yard waste with household waste or other material, such as kitchen and food waste, rocks and stones.
DO NOT RAKE LEAVES ONTO CURBS, STREETS OR BOULEVARDS
This practice creates unsafe road conditions for cyclists and motorists and also contravenes City bylaws.
BACKYARD COMPOSTING AND MULCHING
Better yet, leave your leaves at home and Trim Your Waste: Fallen leaves are an accumulation of nutrients. Use them to your advantage and recycle those nutrients back into the soil. Leaves are rich in carbon, minerals and fibre.
A healthy compost pile requires materials rich in both carbon and nitrogen. To maintain a healthy balance in your pile, especially in winter when most materials going into the compost pile are nitrogen-rich kitchen waste, keep a supply of leaves close to your bin in a garbage can or pail with a secure lid. Always try to add equal volumes of leaves and kitchen waste to your compost pile.
Mulch is a layer of material which covers the soil surface. You can use your leaves as mulch on your vegetable garden or flower beds.
