Leaf collection

Find your zone and when we're collecting leaves in your neighbourhood. Get your leaves ready for pick-up.

We only collect fallen leaves from boulevard trees.

On this page:

1. Find your zone
2. Check the schedule
3. Get your leaves ready
4. If you miss collection
5. Cold temperatures and snow
6. Get help raking leaves
7. Border streets

Find your zone

Use our interactive map to check real-time leaf collection updates. Zones with fewer trees are collected first, followed by areas with more trees.

Check the schedule

We’ve finished leaf collection for this year.

Learn what to do with your leaves if you missed collection.

Get your leaves ready

• rake leaves from boulevard trees only to the curb by 7 a.m. on the first day of your collection week
• if there’s a bike lane, rake leaves to the edge of your property — not into the lane
• if there’s no bike lane, rake leaves onto the road close to the curb
• remove sticks and non-leaf material — we only collect loose leaves
• don’t rake leaves from your yard or backyard trees to the curb
• crews visit each zone once only — we can’t return for missed piles
• once all leaves are collected or snow arrives, the program ends

If you miss collection

Here are your options if you miss your leaf collection week:

Leave the leaves 
We encourage leaving leaves on your property for natural mulch and pollinator habitat. Learn about the environmental benefits of leaving the leaves.

Regional yard waste collection 
Bag your leaves and set them out for regional yard waste collection.

Take leaves to the landfill 
If you miss the Region’s yard waste collection dates, you can take your leaves to the landfill. 

Cold temperatures and snow

Heavy snow or freezing temperatures may pause or end collection early, because we use the same trucks for both leaf pickup and snow clearing.

Our crews monitor conditions and resume when possible.

Get help raking leaves

If you can’t rake leaves to the curb, Home Support Services may be able to help. Call 519-579-6930 for eligibility and fees.

Border streets

The City of Kitchener collects leaves on these border streets:

• Avondale Avenue – city limit to John Street West
• Aberdeen Road – city limit to Forsyth Drive
• Belmont Avenue – city limit to John Street West
• Dunbar Road – city limit to John Street West
• Esson Street – city limit to John Street West
• Hartwood Avenue – city limit to Weber Street South
• Herbert Street – city limit to Union Street East
• Margaret Avenue – city limit to Union Street East
• Mary Street – city limit to Union Street East
• Pinewood Place