Optional loose leaf collection for City of Waterloo residents (2)

The City of Waterloo’s loose leaf collection program starts this week and runs for four weeks. Residents have many options for managing leaves this year.

The leaf collection service is for street tree leaves (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 be raked to the curb only a few days before collection starts, keeping storm drains, sidewalks and bike lanes free of leaves.

To manage leaves at home, consider “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. 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 will break down a thin layer of fallen leaves over winter. For more information on the environmental benefits for your lawn, your soil, and for our local pollinators visit leave the leaves.

Residents can also take advantage of the Region’s biweekly yard waste program (collecting week of November 10 and November 24) or bring them to the Region’s drop-off site on Erb Street for composting.

Weather permitting, the loose leaf collection for street leaves in Waterloo will run until November 22. Leaf collection crews visit areas with younger trees first, followed by areas with more mature trees. Crews will visit each zone only once as they need to prepare equipment for snow clearing. The estimated collection schedule for 2025 is:

• October 27 to November 1: zones W6, W8, E5, E7 and E8
• November 3 to November 8: zones W1, W7, E4 and E6
• November 10 to November 15: zones W3, W4, E2 and E3
• November 17 to November 22: 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