Seasonal yard waste cleanup options for 2024
There are many ways to handle your grass clippings, leaves and other yard waste.
On this page
Use your green cart
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Always fill your green cart first - put yard waste directly inside the cart either loose or in paper bags.
Fill the cart as much as possible before leaving extra bags out. It's ok if the lid is slightly ajar.
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If your green cart is full, put extra yard waste into paper yard waste bags for pickup.
• Roll the tops of the bags closed and set extra yard waste bags 0.5 meters (2 feet) away from your cart.
• Make sure your bags are not too heavy. If you can lift the bag with one hand, it's ok.
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Carts have a 60 kg weight limit. If you can roll the cart, it should be ok.
Why weren’t my yard waste bags picked up?
During busier periods, we will collect material inside the cart, but may limit the number of extra bags we pick up to make sure everyone gets service. If some of your extra bags are not picked up, store them on your property until the next green cart collection.
There are lots of different ways to make use of your green bin inside the home, in the yard and more! See more tips on how to make the most of your green cart.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn
Leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing is the natural way of breaking down grass. Save yourself some time by no longer bagging your grass clippings, make more space in your green cart for other yard waste, and increase nutrients and soil health for a lush and green lawn.
How to leave clippings on the lawn
- You don’t need a special lawn mower – just remove the bag and mow to leave clippings on the lawn.
- Cut grass when the surface is dry and keep mower blades sharp.
- Follow the 1/3 rule: mow your lawn often enough so that no more than 1/3 your grass is cut. You may need to raise the height of your mower. This frequent mowing will produce short clippings that will break down quickly.
For more yard and gardening tips, check out the YardSmart guides for making a beautiful, water-wise yard that's easy to maintain and suited to Calgary's unique climate.
Take yard waste to a City Eco Centre – fees apply
This is useful for residential households when:
- You have too much yard waste for your green cart
- Your yard waste is too large or oversized for your green cart
Eco Centre requirements
- Loads should only have leaves, branches, plants and grass clippings. Shake the soil off plants and roots.
- We do not accept sod or food scraps. Put these items in your green cart. If you bring sod, you will be charged the basic sanitary rate.
- Commercial customers with yard waste will be subject to regular landfill fees. Commercial loads are also not accepted at Shepard.
For faster service, we suggest visiting the Eco Centre on a weekday or before 9 a.m. on Saturdays when wait times are shorter.
Seasonal Yard Waste Drop-off
The City offers complimentary yard waste drop-off during specific periods in the spring and fall. Dates are posted on this webpage in April and September.
Composting yard waste at City Eco Centres – FAQ
How much does it cost to bring yard waste to the Eco Centre?
Residential customers: Yard waste brought to the Eco Centre will pay the yard waste rate.
If your load also contains sod or other garbage, you will be charged the basic sanitary rate and the material will go to the landfill.
Commercial customers: charges will apply. Food and yard waste mixed in garbage loads will be subject to higher fees as part of Disposal Surcharge Materials.
How to prepare your yard waste
Put yard waste in paper yard waste bags or leave it loose.
If you use plastic bags, you must empty them at the Eco Centre bins or composting pad. Please cover and secure your loads of yard waste before transporting.
Why isn't sod or food waste accepted at City Eco Centres?
The yard waste material collected through this program is taken directly to the outdoor composting pads at City Waste Management Facilities. These compost pads are not permitted to accept food waste and cannot process sod.
You can put sod or food waste into your green cart at home. Material from the green cart program goes to the indoor composting facility that can process these materials.
Other yard waste services
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Free mulch
Some larger yard waste branches are chipped into mulch (wood chips) and made available for residential use.
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Compost giveaway events
Compost events allow Calgarians to pick up free compost to use in their yard and gardens.
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Compost for Community Organizations
The City of Calgary is pleased to provide community gardens, community associations, schools and other community groups with access to complimentary Category A compost.
Call 311 for more information.