20 Questions – Leaf Removal Q & A
- Can I use plastic bags for my leaves?
- Where can I buy biodegradable paper bags and how much do they cost? Are they reliable? Is there a weight limit?
- What is a leaf can? What are the benefits of using a leaf can? Can I use any can as a “leaf can”?
- Is a “leaf can” the same as a “yard can?” The label on my old yard can says “yard Trimmings”, do I need to replace it?
- Where do I set out my leaf cans and leaf bags?
- Is there a limit to amount of leaves I can set out?
- Can I use leaf cans and paper bags for my extra yard trimmings at any time of year?
- How do I get a larger yard trimmings cart? What about a second cart? Is there an additional fee for changing the level of service?
- I have a gardener that looks after my property. What should my gardener do with the leaves?
- If I fill my yard trimmings cart with wet leaves and other yard trimmings the material sometimes get stuck at the bottom and the cart doesn’t empty completely into the truck. How can I prevent this from happening?
- What happens to the leaves that are set out for collection?
- Why did my leaf cans and paper bags not get picked up at the same time as my yard trimmings cart?
- Why can't I just rake or blow all the leaves onto the street?
- How often are streets in Vancouver cleaned and swept?
- Where can I find a schedule for street leaf removal?
- Why does the City only clean one side of the street at a time?
- Do the crews post no parking signs on every street? What do I do if no-parking signs are posted on my street? What happens if I don't move my car?
- Who do I call if there is a flood on the street?
1. Can I use plastic bags for my leaves?
No, the City of Vancouver does not accept leaves (or other yard trimmings) set out in any kind of plastic bag. The use of standardized yard trimmings carts prompted the move away from clear plastic “yard” bags. Prior to automated collection, crews “debagged” all yard trimmings at the curb. This process was not only inefficient but resulted in a large number of plastic bags being landfilled. So, to keep costs down and to reduce the number of plastic bags reaching the landfill the City decided that plastic bags would no longer be accepted. During the unlimited leaf collection period (October 1st to January 31st) residents must use leaf cans (standard garbage cans) or biodegradable paper bags for any leaves that don’t fit in their yard trimmings cart.
2. Where can I buy biodegradable paper bags and how much do they cost? Are they reliable? Is there a weight limit?
Biodegradable paper bags are available at most major home and garden centres. Individual store managers are responsible for stocking their products so biodegradable paper bags may not always be available at all locations. For a package of 5 biodegradable paper bags, prices range from about $2.75 to $5.00 (Sept 2006).
Yes, the bags are reliable. Many cities, including North Vancouver, Seattle, Ottawa, Peterborough and Kitchener-Waterloo, are effectively collecting leaves and other yard trimmings in biodegradable paper bags. Most bags have a strength coating that resists water absorption while still allowing them to compost without harmful residues. The bags will, however, decompose if they are left in the rain for more than a few weeks. Should you have a problem with the bags decomposing before your collection day, and they haven't been sitting outside for an extended period of time, please notify the store where you purchased the bags.
Please note that the maximum weight for a paper bag (filled with leaves) is 20 kg (44 lbs).
3. What is a leaf can? What are the benefits of using a leaf can? Can I use any can as a “leaf can”?
A leaf can is a standard store-bought garbage can for collection of leaves only during the period October 1st to January 31st. Leaf cans are an efficient and environmentally responsible way of setting out your extra leaves. Leaf cans last for years under normal use and are often easier to manage than biodegradable paper bags. As well, leaf cans are less expensive than bags over the long term. For example, a leaf can purchased for $12, set out every two weeks from October to January (approximately 9 pickups), and used for 5 years will cost you 27 cents per pickup, about one quarter the cost of paper bags.
Leaf cans must be less than 100 litres in size, have two handles for lifting and have a proper-fitting lid to keep the rain out. Maximum weight of a leaf can is 20 kg (44 lbs).
4. Is a “leaf can” the same as a “yard can?” The label on my old yard can says “Yard Trimmings”, do I need to replace it?
Leaf cans and yard cans are not the same. Prior to automation “yard cans” could be used throughout the year for all types of yard trimmings. A “leaf can” is just for leaves (no other yard trimmings) and can only be used during the unlimited leaf collection period (October 1 to January 31).
You don’t need another label. You can continue to use your can with the old “yard trimmings” label. Just remember that the can is to be used for leaves only.
5. Where do I set out my leaf cans and leaf bags?
Set out your leaf cans and paper bags in the same location you set out your garbage and yard trimmings carts. Place your leaf cans and bags 1 m away from your yard trimmings cart.
6. Is there a limit to amount of leaves I can set out?
From October 1 to January 31 each year there is no limit to the amount of leaves you can set out. Make sure you fill your yard trimmings cart first and then, if you have additional leaves, use leaf cans or biodegradable paper bags.
7. Can I use leaf cans and paper bags for my extra yard trimmings at any time of year?
No, leaf cans and bags are for leaves only and are to be used during the unlimited leaf collection period only (October 1 to January 31). If you have extra yard trimmings throughout the year you may want to get a larger yard trimmings cart. Large quantities of yard trimmings may also be dropped off at the Transfer Station at 377 West Kent Avenue. See Transfer Station for hours and directions.
8. How do I get a larger yard trimmings cart? What about a second cart? Is there an additional fee for changing the level of service?
If you need a larger yard trimmings cart or if you need an additional cart please call 3-1-1 (or 604.873.7000 from outside Vancouver city limits). Property owners may change the level of their yard trimmings service (i.e. the size or number of carts) once per calendar year at no charge. A fee of $25 will apply for each additional change in that calendar year.
9. I have a gardener that looks after my property. What should my gardener do with the leaves?
If you have a yard trimmings cart your gardener or landscaper should fill up your cart with leaves and set it out for collection on your scheduled pickup day. Extra leaves should be set out in labelled leaf cans or in biodegradable paper bags.
If you don’t have a yard trimmings cart your gardener is required to collect the leaves and dispose of them at a proper composting facility, such as the Vancouver Transfer Station (see Transfer Station for location and hours of operation). Your gardener should NOT rake or blow leaves into the street. (see also FAQ #14)
The City has sent letters to all landscapers and gardeners working in Vancouver with information on how to properly dispose of leaves and other yard trimmings. For a pdf copy go to letter to landscapers.
10. If I fill my yard trimmings cart with wet leaves and other yard trimmings the material sometimes get stuck at the bottom and the cart doesn’t empty completely into the truck. How can I prevent this from happening?
Occasionally, some of the smaller yard trimmings carts do not empty completely into the collection vehicle. The City is aware of this issue and is looking at methods to prevent this from happening. We ask that residents not pack their yard trimmings too tightly and keep the cart lid closed to keep the rain out. If you are experiencing this problem please call the hotline at 3-1-1 (or 604.873.7000 from outside Vancouver city limits).
11. What happens to the leaves that are set out for collection?
Leaves and other yard trimmings collected from Vancouver homes are first taken to the City’s Transfer Station and then hauled out to the Vancouver landfill in Delta for composting. For a detailed description go to composting at the landfill. Over 33,000 cubic metres of compost are produced each year at the landfill. This compost is used mainly as landscaping mulch or blended with other products to produce topsoil and is sold to residential gardeners, commercial landscapers and municipal park boards. In recent years compost from the City’s landfill has been used to reconstruct athletic fields at Hastings Park, Hillcrest Park and New Brighton Park.
12. Why did my leaf cans and paper bags not get picked up at the same time as my yard trimmings cart?
The City’s automated trucks, although designed to empty your yard trimmings cart efficiently, are not designed to pick up paper bags or leaf cans. To deal with these “extra” set outs (leaf cans and paper bags) the City may use additional crews and trucks (semi-automated). While every effort is made to collect all material on the regular collection day there are times when, because of large volumes of leaves being set out, there may be some delay in getting all the leaves collected.
13. Why can't I just rake or blow all the leaves onto the street?
Raking or blowing the leaves into the street is a violation of the Street and Traffic Bylaw and liable to a fine up to $2,000. Leaves raked into the street may cause flooding by blocking street drains (catch basins), and may also be a hazard to motorists and cyclists.
14. How often are streets in Vancouver cleaned and swept?
Residential streets are cleaned 3 or 4 times annually by City crews. Typically, the streets are cleaned once during the “leaf removal” period (November to January) and then 2 or 3 more times throughout the rest of the year.
15. Where can I find a schedule for street leaf removal?
View the Leaf Removal Page for information on when crews will be in your neighbourhood (dates subject to change).
16. Why does the City only clean one side of the street at a time?
Cleaning takes place on the “signed” side of the street so that there is still some room on the other side of the street for parking. Cleaning takes place over 2 consecutive days to ensure that both sides of the street are cleaned and to minimize the disruption to each block.
17. Do the crews post no parking signs on every street? What do I do if no-parking signs are posted on my street? What happens if I don't move my car?
Generally, City crews post temporary “no parking, street cleaning” signs only in higher-density areas where there are lots of parked cars and lots of leaves.
If you see the no parking signs, we ask for your kind cooperation and move your vehicle away from the signed portion of the street before the 7 am scheduled start time. Please ask your neighbours to do the same. If your vehicle is not moved it will be ticketed and towed.
Courtesy tows have been discontinued due to new towing regulations on securing vehicles.
18. Who do I call if there is a flood on the street?
Call 3-1-1 (or 604.873.7000 from outside Vancouver) to report flooding on the street.
[top]