The City of Thunder Bay's Solid Waste & Recycling Services conducts two Leaf & Yard Waste collection days each Spring, and two each Fall. On these special collection days you can place your leaves, bundled branches, and garden waste out for curbside collection. Look for the leaf symbol on your waste collection calendar for your leaf and yard waste collection days.
On your Leaf & Yard Waste collection days:
- Kraft bags of leaves, and bundles of branches/sticks are accepted for collection
- Use only Kraft (paper) bags, which are available at most hardware and grocery stores, are biodegradable and will break down in the Landfill's compost pile
- There is no bag/bundle limit on leaf and yard waste
- Bags must weigh less than 18 kg or 40 lbs
- Bundled branches and sticks tied with twine must be under 1 metre (39 inches) long and 61 cm (24 inches) around, and weigh less than 18 kg (40 lbs)
The City makes compost from leaf and yard waste
Leaf and yard waste materials put out for curbside collection during the Spring and Fall Leaf & Yard Waste collections are taken to the City of Thunder Bay Solid Waste & Recycling Facility (Landfill site) and made into soil-enriching compost.
If you miss the Leaf & Yard Waste collection days, you can take compostable materials such as leaves, shrubs and branches directly to the Landfill's compost area. Note that grass clippings are not accepted.
At the Landfill site, staff pile the leaf and yard waste into wind-rows and manage it to promote its conversion to compost over months to years. This results in well-aged and screened compost, which is given free of charge to Thunder Bay residents when available - watch for announcements! This compost is ideal for landscaping, lawns and flower gardens.
Your own outdoor composter!
You can also use your own leaf and yard waste and organic kitchen scraps to make compost at home. The City provides composters to Thunder Bay residents (through EcoSuperior) for a subsidized cost. Proof of address is required. Pick up yours at EcoSuperior at 562 Red River Road. See EcoSuperior's Outdoor Composters webpage for details.
Grasscycling - leave it where it lies
Recycle grass clippings by leaving them on your lawn instead of raking and throwing them away. Grass clippings are a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer that is good for your lawn. Grasscycling saves you time, reduces waste and promotes a healthy root system in your turf. Grass clippings are not accepted in the City's Leaf & Yard Waste program.
Leave the leaves
Support pollinators over the winter while also fertilizing your yard. Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and fireflies seek shelter in fallen leaves and dead plant stems - these natural habitats help protect them from the harsh weather. As the leaves decompose, they add valuable nutrients to the soil and the root zone of trees.
When cleaning your yard consider keeping some leaves on the ground, but keep leaves clear of wooden fences and structures susceptible to moisture, and don’t rake or blow leaves into the street or near storm drains.
For more information, contact the City's Dispatch at 807-625-2195.
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