Yard Waste Collection

This page outlines the City's yard waste collection schedule, accepted yard waste items, proper packaging and weight, proper storage outside of your collection week, and frequently asked questions.

Yard Waste Collection Schedule

The City’s curbside collection contractor, Emterra, is responsible for collecting yard waste. Yard waste collection is proceeding as normally scheduled (every other week opposite your garbage collection week from April 7 through November).

Yard waste collection is taking place separately from ice storm cleanup operations. Ice storm cleanup crews have special equipment that enables chipping of brush piled curbside. Yard waste collection drivers are equipped with collection truck equipment that allows only for the safe collection of properly packaged yard waste

*Please place yard waste materials curbside by 7am (4:30am in the downtown BIA) on your regular collection day of your yard waste collection week. Yard waste will be collected before end of day Friday. The collection contractor may adjust collection vehicle routing throughout the year to aid in efficient collection; ensure your materials are placed curbside by this time to ensure material is collected.
Every-Other-Week Collection*
Opposite your garbage week 
April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Beginning the first full week of April & ending the last full week of November.
​No Collection​February, March, December
Weekly Collection, 
Christmas Trees Only
January 
Beginning the first full week of January & ending the last full week; Christmas tree collection occurred January 6–31 in 2025.

Ways to Determine your Schedule

Businesses and institutions must register for Business/Institutional Curbside Waste Collection and be approved to receive municipal waste services. The address may appear in tools listed below, but please note the service is not available unless the business/institution has successfully registered.

Accepted Yard Waste Items

Did you know?  Compost is generated from Barrie’s leaf and yard waste collection program and sold when available at the landfill site. In 2024, the landfill received 7,618 tonnes of yard waste from residential and commercial sources. 

Proper Yard Waste Packaging

Yard waste collection is taking place separately from ice storm cleanup operations. Ice storm cleanup crews have special equipment that enables chipping of brush piled curbside. Yard waste collection drivers are equipped with collection truck equipment that allows only for the safe collection of properly packaged yard waste.

Residents and registered businesses can put out an unlimited number of yard waste bags/containers on the Monday of their yard waste collection week. Clippings from trees and shrubs should be tied securely with twine (or other string made of compostable material) in small bundles to permit easy handling. Bundles/containers must be:

  • no larger than 1.2m (4ft) in length
  • no larger than 0.3m (1ft) in diameter
  • no heavier than 20kg (45lbs) in weight
  • have limbs no more than 7cm (3in) in diameter each (and bundled per above) 
Acceptable Yard Waste Containers   
  • garbage cans up to 120 L (must have exterior handles)
  • paper leaf and yard waste bags
Unacceptable Yard Waste Containers   
  • green bins
  • blue and grey recycling boxes
  • plastic bags
  • cardboard boxes

Yard Waste Storage

Outside of your yard waste collection week, yard waste should be stored in a covered, dry location so the bags/cans do not become overweight due to moisture and so the paper bags remain intact for collection. 

Try Leaving your Leaves in the Fall

You can improve the health of your yard or garden by using your mower to mulch leaves, instead of raking them up and bagging them. Benefits of mulching and leaving your leaves:

  • Mulched leaves make excellent fertilizer.
  • Mulched leaves break down quickly and can add important nutrients to your soil.
  • Leaving your mulched leaves on your lawn can save you money by not having to purchase yard waste bags. 

Did you know? Leaves can also be a great addition to a backyard composter. They can be used to cover layers of food waste in your backyard composter.

When completing yard maintenance, remember to adhere to the regulations outlined in the City’s Yard Maintenance By-law.

Frequently Asked Questions