Optional loose leaf collection for City of Waterloo residents

The City of Waterloo’s loose leaf collection program starts Monday, October 26 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. Rake leaves 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 from October to early December 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 21. 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 2026 is:

Week 1: October 26 to 31 – Zones W6, W8, E5, E7, E8

Week 2: November 2 to 7 – Zones W1, W7, E4, E6

Week 3: November 9 to 14 – Zones W3, W4, E2, E3

Week 4: November 16 to 21 – Zones W2, W5, E1

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