Yard Waste Collection

Acceptable yard waste items are listed below. Please refer to the Waste Item Lookup Tool to check for specific items.

• Bales of straw
• Christmas trees (trees must not exceed 1.8m or 6 feet in length, be free of ornaments and stands)  
• Garden waste
• Grass clippings
• Leaves and brush
• Sod​
• Tree trimmings 

Unacceptable items in yard waste are listed below. Please refer to the Waste Item Lookup Tool to check for specific items.

• Bundles larger than 1.2m (4ft) in length
• Bundles larger than 0.3m (1ft) in diameter 
• Bundles/bags/bins/containers that weigh more than 20kgs (45lbs)
• Christmas trees exceeding 1.8m (6ft) in length  
• Dirt and rocks
• Food waste, including fruits and vegetables from the garden
  Please place food waste in your organics (green bin)
• Garbage materials
• Milled lumber
• Pet waste
  Please place dog waste, plant-based kitty litter and bedding for small animals in your organics (green bin), using certified compostable bags.
• Plastic pots and plastic packaging
• Stumps or tree limbs with a diameter in excess of 7cm (3in)
• Tree limbs in excess of 1.2m (4ft) in length
• Unbundled brush, street sweepings 

Changes to the City’s yard waste collection program began in May 2024 with the start of our new waste collection contract. These changes consider alignment of the City’s program with municipal service levels across the province, typical weather patterns, and balancing service levels with the increasing cost of waste collection.

To prevent exceeding the 20 kg per bag/container weight limit with rain, snow, frozen water etc., try drilling small holes in the bottom of the container so liquid can drain out.  You can also keep a lid on your yard waste containers when placing them out for curbside collection. 

Historically, cardboard boxes were accepted containers for yard waste, however this changed with the contract effective May 1, 2024. 

Cardboard boxes caused issues at the curb and for composting operations at the Barrie Landfill. Wet/heavy boxes of varying sizes/dimensions were often difficult for crews to lift safely and were breaking during collection, causing messes at the curb. Boxes were also contaminating our compost and by discontinuing them at the curb, we ensure a better quality end product.

See acceptable containers

Please place yard waste bags, no heavier than 20kg (45lbs) in weight, in reasonable condition (no deterioration, rips or tears) to the curb by 7am on your regular collection day of your yard waste collection week. 

When placed out on the week of your collection, if bags become damaged by weather the contractor will still collect the bags. The contractor will make every effort to carefully transfer all bags of yard waste without spilling contents, however, should a bag break while being transferred, the contractor is responsible for cleanup. 

Tips to help avoid damaged bags:

• Roll the tops of the yard waste bags closed and place the bags as close together as possible at the curb to help keep them dry. 
• Consider placing them in a storage shed, garage or under a tarp until collection. 
• Don't place yard waste on the road or blocking the sidewalk.  

Yes. The contractor is permitted to get ahead and collect yard waste in areas prior to the designated collection day. They will return to these areas on the designated collection day to complete collection. This helps to ensure that all yard waste material is off the street by end of day Friday, especially in periods of heavy volume.

Please remember to sort your waste for collection and have it curbside by 7am on your collection day/week. If you believe your collection of organics, garbage or yard waste was missed, please contact Emterra at customercare.barrie@emterra.ca or 1-833-253-8207.

Contacting the contractor directly allows for efficient concern resolution. The City monitors all inquiries. Trucks are equipped with technology to fully investigate concerns.

No, waste from fruit trees or garden vegetables are not yard waste, and should be placed in green bins for collection. The City’s leaf and yard waste processing facility is not permitted to manage these materials under its existing site Environmental Compliance Approval. Refer to the Waste Item Lookup Tool to check for specific items.