Explore your leaf collection options in Kitchener this fall

Composting and mulching leaves on your property is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way to manage fall leaves. Dry leaves have carbon-rich ingredients for your compost pile that you can reuse to enrich your garden and soil.

Keeping leaves on the ground and spreading them over your garden creates shelter for over-wintering bees and butterflies, helping these important pollinators thrive.

Collecting leaves into yard waste bags for curbside pickup is one of the easiest ways to dispose of your leaves. Yard waste is collected from eligible households every second week (the opposite week from garbage collection) as part of the Region of Waterloo’s waste management program. Visit RegionOfWaterloo.ca/YardWaste to learn more.

Dropping your leaves off at a City of Kitchener leaf drop site is a convenient option available during daylight hours from Friday, October 10 to Friday, December 5. When using the drop-off sites, remember to only leave your leaves. Bring any bags or bins you use to transport your leaves home with you, including brown paper yard waste bags. Find the closest drop-off sites at Kitchener.ca/Leaves.

Note: The leaf drop-off site at Upper Canada Park is temporarily closed. Use the temporary leaf drop-off site at Budd Park for the 2025 season.

Curbside leaf collection is available in some Kitchener neighbourhoods. Qualifying neighbourhoods can rake their leaves onto the road no sooner than the weekend before their scheduled collection date. Check out our leaf options lookup tool for more information.