Leaf Collection

A loose leaf collection service is provided to Burlington residents in the fall. This program is in addition to the yard waste collection service provided by Halton Region.

Update, Dec. 11: Leaf collection is now complete. Any remaining leaves should be mulched or placed out for Halton Region's Yard Waste. Please check Halton Region's website to ensure your area is still receiving the Yard Waste pick-up.

Be sure to have your loose-leaves out by the date listed on your Zone. Crews will work through the week to collect the leaves. Leaves placed to the curb after your collection date will not be picked up if the crews have already completed your street. Any remaining leaves should be mulched or bagged for Halton Region’s Yard Waste pick-up.

When moving your leaves to the curb, do not block sidewalks, bike lanes or crowd traffic lanes. This creates a dangerous setting for everyone.

Please follow the guidelines below to help make sure everyone's leaves are collected:

• All dates are weather dependent. If a snow storm or freezing rain hits, dates could be delayed or cancelled. If this happens, you will need to bag your leaves for Halton Region’s Yard Waste Pick up.

• For updates, visit Burlington.ca/LeafCollection or call the Leaf Collection hotline at 905-335-7600, ext. 6129. The hotline will be active after Oct. 15.
• Please have your leaves to the curb by the collection date.
• Leaves placed to the curb after that date will not get collected in the city’s Loose-Leaf Collection.
• If you miss your date, you will need to bag your leaves for Halton Region’s Yard Waste pick-up. Know your collection dates and avoid raking leaves to the road too early. Ensure your leaves are at the curb at the start of your collection date
• Make sure loose leaves are not covering catch basins or in the ditches to prevent flooding.
• Please make sure leaves do not contain branches or other debris. Leaves mixed with other waste will not be collected.
• Remove all sports equipment, including basketball nets, parked vehicles and other obstructions from the road to allow city crews clear access to leaf piles.
• Place leaves up to the edge of the curb or roadway in a loose pile so city equipment can reach them.
• Avoid placing leaves on sidewalks and walkways.
• Do not place garbage bags, garbage bins, Blue Boxes or GreenCarts on top of loose-leaf piles.

2020 Loose Leaf Collection Schedule and Map 

Bagged Leaf and Yard Waste Collection

Halton Region will provide collection of bagged leaves and yard waste on the same day as your garbage pick up. This program is a separate program from Burlington's loose leaf collection and ends on Dec. 20. For more information, visit Halton Region's Waste Recycling Sorting Guide or dial 311.

Leaf Disposal Alternatives

If you do not wish to use Burlington's loose leaf collection service, other disposal options are possible:

• Mulch leaves to use in gardens, flowerbeds, or leave them on your yard.
• Compost leaves in your backyard composter.
• Deliver leaves to the Halton Waste Management Site in paper bags or in bulk for composting.

Changes to 2020 Loose-Leaf Collection Program

Council approved the staff recommendation to move to a 4-week collection period for 2020 and 2021. This will allow for a single collection over this time frame.

By reducing the time frame and moving to one collection, staff anticipate that the later start will mean the majority of leaves will be down during this period and the earlier ending will help avoid any winter weather. 

After the second year of the new schedule, staff will bring a report to council with a review of the revised schedule and present recommendations for council consideration.

COVID-19 Impacts

This year’s collection includes safety precautions and preparations for COVID-19 impacts. These include:

• Safe work practices: one person per vehicle, maximum of two with face covering, physical distancing, staggered shifts, daily screening and more
• One collection period allows for flexibility with staffing in anticipation of reduced staffing due to COVID-19 (family care, staff illnesses, COVID-19 testing periods and isolations)