Yard waste is collected every other week from late March to early December. For yard waste collection dates in your area, please follow your Waste Collection Schedule. 

What is Accepted as Yard Waste?

YES, We Accept:

• leaves
• shrubs
• twigs/branches
• weeds
• pumpkins
• flowers/garden plants

What is Not Accepted as Yard Waste?

NO, We Do Not Accept:

• grass/thatch clippings
• sod
• dirt 
• gravel
• cement
• topsoil
• rocks/stones
• animal droppings
• driveway/road sweepings
• tree stumps/root balls
• tree branches/brush larger than 6 inches in diameter or longer than 4 feet in length

Grass Clippings

Markham does not collect grass or thatch clippings. Use a mulching lawnmower and leave grass clippings on your lawn. You can also recycle them in a backyard composter or bring them to the Public Drop-off Weekend Collection Centre.

Yard Waste Rules

• There is no limit to the amount of yard waste you can place out for collection.
• Place yard waste out for collection in biodegradable kraft paper bags, open rigid containers or bushel baskets. Do not place yard waste out for collection in any type of plastic bag.
• Place branches and brush out in string tied bundles (no wire) making sure each individual branch does not exceed 6 inches in diameter, the bundles are not longer than 4 feet in length and do not weigh more than 40 pounds.
• Cardboard boxes are not acceptable containers for the collection of yard waste.
• Do not mix your yard waste with garbage. Yard Waste is compostable and banned from landfill. Any garbage containing yard waste will not be collected.
• Place yard waste at the curb before 7:00 a.m. on your Scheduled Collection Day but not earlier than 7:00 p.m. the night before pick up (Bylaw 32-95).
• All containers, bags and bundles must not weigh more than 40 pounds.

Yard Waste Public Drop-Off

Markham residents may deliver yard waste for composting to:

• Public Drop-off Weekend Collection Centre
• Bloomington Compost Site

Yard Waste Labels

Yard waste labels are available to place on the side of garbage cans to signal to collectors that the material inside is yard waste. It is not mandatory to use yard waste labels. All acceptable yard waste material will be collected from re-useable containers whether labelled or not. Yard material labels are available at the Civic Centre and at all Markham Recycling Depots.

Free Compost Giveaway

Markham gives away free compost each Spring. The 2010 Compost Giveaway Day will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Bring your own shovel/containers. Markham residents only. There is a 6 container limit and one visit per vehicle. Please note that the 2010 Fall Compost Giveaways have been cancelled.

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