Yard waste
The City of Peterborough's green waste or yard waste collection begins the first Monday in April and ends the last Friday in November each year.
If we missed your yard waste, let us know by completing our online form
You can put out unlimited quantities of yard waste when it's in reusable containers that are labelled, bushel baskets or paper yard waste bags.
Yard Waste set-out requirements:
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Rigid open-top container with a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles, lids must be removable and not secured by any means (bungee cords, etc.). Yard waste material must empty freely when emptied/dumped by the collector.
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Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow labels attached defining the contents as yard waste. The yellow labels are available for no charge at City Hall, 500 George St. N.
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Kraft Paper Bags, or a bushel basket will be acceptable for yard waste. No other type of bin will be collected (including blue boxes). No plastic bags accepted.
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Damaged/Broken bins will not be accepted (or material collected from).
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Weight limit must be less than 13 kg (30 lbs).
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Brush can be tied in bundles with light rope or twine, weighing not more than 13 kg (30 lbs), with a length of up to 1 m (3 ft) and a diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches).
- Yard waste should be put out after 6 p.m. the night before or no later than 7 a.m. the morning of your collection.
Collection in late fall
During late October and November when temperatures drop below freezing, yard waste can freeze, sticking to the sides of bins and causing issues with collection.
To ensure full pickup of your yard waste, consider using bags for disposal to avoid partially frozen material being left in a bin.
| Yard waste accepted materials |
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| Yard waste unacceptable materials |
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You can also dispose of yard waste at the Peterborough landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. in Otonabee-South Monaghan.
Backyard composting
Using a backyard composter is a great way to manage your waste at home – and a way to produce your own compost. Leaves, yard waste, and some food waste (e.g., coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, and fruit scraps) can be composted in your backyard with a composter. It benefits the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and reducing the production of greenhouse gases. The City of Peterborough also provides a curbside Green Bin program for eligible residents. Learn more about Green Bin collection.
You can check with Peterborough GreenUP for helpful advice on composting.
We don't recommend putting meat, fish, bones, fatty foods or dairy products in your backyard composter as they can cause odours and attract pests. “Composting completes the food cycle by returning plant scrap nutrients to the soil,” states Tegan Moss, Executive Director of GreenUP. “Many gardeners refer to compost as ‘black gold', mostly due to its dark, earthy colour and nutrient-rich content that is a valuable addition to your beds.”
You can buy a composter at City Hall, 500 George St. N., at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 400 Pido Rd., or at the GreenUP Store & Resource Centre, 378 Aylmer St. N.
Curbside collection schedule
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