Yard waste includes leaves, pine cones, fallen fruit, tree/shrub clippings, weeds, flowers, pumpkins, clean straw and dried corn stalks. Soil, sod and grass clippings are NOT ACCEPTED. 

2024 Yard Waste Collection Schedule

• April 16 to October 11 - Every other week on your garbage collection day*
• October 15 to December 13 - Weekly on your regular waste collection day

*If you live in the "blue zone" collection begins the week of April 16. If you live in the "yellow zone" it begins the week of April 23. Check the Waste Management Calendar to see what zone you're in.

What goes where?

If you aren't sure what goes where, you can use our search tool to find out:

• What Goes Where

Curbside collection guidelines

• Yard waste must be placed at the curb no later than 7a.m. on the day of collection and no earlier than 6p.m. the night before.
• Yard waste must be set out in a large Kraft paper bag, cardboard box or in a reusable, rigid, open top container, such as a garbage can or bushel basket (max. 125L/33gal). No plastic bags.
• Place a yellow yard waste sticker on open-top reusable containers. Free stickers are available at Access Richmond Hill (225 East Beaver Creek Road) and at the Operations Center (1200 Elgin Mills Road East). 
• Bundle branches, sticks and twigs with twine (maximum length 1.2m/4ft and maximum diameter of 10cm/4in per branch).
• Each container, bag or bundle must not exceed 18 kg/40lbs.
• If yard waste has not been collected, it must be removed from the curb by 9p.m. on the collection day. It is against the City's Waste Bylaw to leave yard waste at the curb days prior to collection.

Drop off your yard waste

Richmond Hill residents can drop off their yard waste at the Bloomington Yard Waste Depot located at 1351 Bloomington Road, Richmond Hill. Visit york.ca/wastedepots for hours and fees.