Optional loose leaf collection for City of Waterloo residents (1)

The City of Waterloo’s loose leaf collection program starts Monday, October 30, 2023 and runs for four weeks.

Waterloo’s loose leaf collection service is for the leaves from street trees (those on your boulevard) only. Residents should check the map and schedules online at waterloo.ca/leafcollection or look for neighbourhood signs to see when local collection is scheduled. Leaves should only be raked to the curb a few days before collection starts, keeping storm drains, sidewalks and bike lanes free of leaves.

There are many ways to manage leaves over the coming month, including “leaving the leaves” where they are. Leaving them mulched on lawns or piled in gardens will help our local pollinators as well as enrich soil. Residents can also take advantage of the Region’s biweekly yard waste program (collecting November 6 to 10 and November 20 to 24 Waterloo), or bring them to the Region’s drop-off site on Erb Street for composting.

To manage leaves at home, an easy option is to mulch fallen leaves into the lawn with the lawn mower. Leaves contain nutrients that help feed microbes and healthy soil, reducing the need for commercial fertilizers. Most lawns can also handle a thin layer of fallen leaves to break down over winter.

Leaves can also be used as a natural mulch in gardens. Pile them in gardens to provide protection for plants throughout the winter, as well as winter shelter for pollinators or small hibernators. The leaves will break down a bit over winter leaving natural nutrients in the garden, and any that don’t break down can be tidied up in the spring.

Managing leaves at home takes the stress out of timing raking with neighbourhood collection schedules, and the unpredictable seasonal leaf drop. It can also have significant environmental benefits, for your lawn, your soil, and by protecting our local pollinators. For more information, visit waterloo.ca/leaves.

Weather permitting, the loose leaf collection for Waterloo street leaves will run until the week of November 21 to 26. Leaf collection crews visit areas with younger trees first, followed by areas with more mature trees. Crews will visit each zone only once. The estimated collection schedule for 2023 is:

• October 30 to November 4: zones W6, W8, E8, E7 and E5
• November 6 to November 11: zones W1, W7, E4 and E6
• November 13 to November 18: zones W3, W4, E2 and E3
• November 20 to November 25: zones W2, W5 and E1

For more information or updates on when leaves in specific zones will be collected, visit waterloo.ca/leafcollection or call 519-886-2310.

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Media contact:

Stacey Abbott
Manager, Corporate Communications
Stacey.Abbott@waterloo.ca