Yard Material

Leaf & Yard Collection Begins April 8

Leaf & yard material is collected every other week, same day as your clear bag garbage. 
Must be set out at the curb by 7AM, no earlier than the night before. Note: Collection times may vary. 
Reminder - early set out is not permitted. Homeowners are responsible for informing hired lawn care services of these requirements.

Sod, soil, and grass clippings are not accepted. See below for set out guidelines.
 

Compost Giveaway 2025

Residents can register for two free bags of garden-friendly compost made from last year’s collected leaf and yard material. Compost will come in 14kg bags and is limited to two bags per household, while supplies last. 
When picking up your compost, please note that staff are unable to assist with loading the bags in your car. As each bag is 14kg, it is advised to bring help with you if that is too heavy. The City assumes no responsibility for any injuries incurred. 
See below for details 

Compost Giveaway

How to Register Online for Compost Giveaway

1. Sign in or create an account in Markham’s Program Registration and Facility Booking system at markham.ca/RegisterNow.
2. Log into the system with your email and password 
   1. Go to the Programs & Activities tab and select Special Events;
   2. Choose a pickup date and location. Spaces are limited and distributed on a first come, first serve basis; No payment required.
3. Once you have registered, you will receive a Booking Confirmation email with Registration Confirmation attached. You will need this email when picking up the compost.
4. If you miss your registration pickup date, you must register again for another date, subject to availability.  

What You Need to Know Before You Go

• Must register prior to arrival. Maximum one (1) registration per household.
• Bring proof of registration with you for pickup.
• Two (2) bags ONLY per registration, while supplies last.
• Compost is available for Markham residents only. Not for commercial use.
• Pickup events are rain or shine.

Pickup Event: On-site Instruction

• Upon arrival, residents are required to enter a vehicle queue. Please follow signs.
• Have proof of registration email ready to show attendant, print/digital version accepted.
• Residents must load compost bags into their own vehicle - attendants cannot assist.
• Follow directions and exit safely.

Please be mindful of all other residents, cars and pedestrians participating in the Compost Giveaway

Additional compost can be purchased at: 
Richmond Hill (Bloomington) Compost Facility
1351 Bloomington Rd. E., Richmond Hill, ON
 

Dates and Locations

Event Date	Location	Event Time	Registration Closes  At 12PM Day Before
Tuesday April 22	Registration Opens
Wednesday May 7	Angus Glen Community Centre 3990 Major Mackenzie Dr E (North parking lot)	8 AM – 4 PM	Tuesday May 6
Friday May 9	R.J. Clatworthy Arena 2400 John St	8 AM – 4 PM	Thursday May 8
Saturday May 10	City of Markham East Works Yard 10192 9th Line	8 AM – 4 PM	Friday May 9
Wednesday May 14	Angus Glen Community Centre 3990 Major Mackenzie Dr E (North parking lot)	8 AM – 4 PM	Tuesday May 13
Friday May 16	R.J. Clatworthy Arena 2400 John St	8 AM – 4 PM	Thursday May 15
Saturday May 17	City of Markham East Works Yard 10192 9th Line	8 AM – 4 PM	Friday May 16

Event Details 

• Maximum one (1) registration per household
• Two (2) bags only per registration, while supplies last
• Proof of registration will be emailed following online registration 
• Spaces are limited on a first come, first serve basis
• Must be registered and bring proof of registration in order to collect compost
• Compost is available for Markham residents only – not for commercial use
• Events are rain or shine
• If you miss the event date you must re-register for another date (subject to availability)
• Upon arrival, residents are required to enter vehicle queue – please follow signs
• Have proof of registration ready to show attendant, printed/digital versions accepted
• Residents must load compost bags into their own vehicle – attendants cannot assist 
• Follow all signage and directions, exit safely
   

 

Yard Material Set Out Guidelines

Bags:

• Use Kraft paper bags
• No plastic bags or cardboard boxes
• Keep bags dry – broken, overweight bags cannot be collected

Containers:

• Use open rigid containers like a garbage can (no lids) or bushel baskets
• "Yard Material" container labels are available at any Markham Recycling Depot 
• All containers, bags and bundles must weigh less than 18 kilograms each

Bundles:

• Branches and brush must be bundled
• Less than 1.2 meter in length and under 18 kilograms
• Branch diameter must be less than 15 centimeters
• Tied with string not wire

We accept:

• Leaves
• Shrubs
• Twigs/branches
• Weeds
• Pumpkins
• Flowers/garden plants
• Root balls (under 18 kilograms and stump must be under 10 centimetres in diameter)

No Grass clippings!

For a healthier lawn, leaves and grass can be mulched and left on your lawn.
Grass clippings are approximately 80 per cent water, decompose quickly creating a natural fertilizer and keeps the weeds away.

Lawn care services

The homeowner is responsible to ensure material it is not left at the curb until your collection day.

Do Not Put This in Your Yard Material

We won't pick up:

• Grass/thatch clippings
• Sod
• Dirt
• Gravel
• Cement
• Topsoil
• Rocks/stones
• Animal droppings/carcasses  
• Driveway/road sweepings
• Tree stumps/root balls over 10 centimetres in diameter and over 18 kilograms
• Tree branches/brush larger than 15 centimetres in diameter or longer than 1.2 metres in length

Grass clippings are not accepted in clear bag garbage or yard material curbside.

Feed your lawn! Here are some helpful tips:

• Raise the wheels of your mower to make grass clippings shorter. This means no bagging or raking!
• Attach a mulching blade to your lawnmower.
• Spreading grass clippings evenly over the lawn creates a natural fertilizer and keeps the weeds away!
• Add grass clippings to a backyard composter to create your own mulch.
• If necessary, take your grass clippings to the Bloomington Compost Site.

Public Drop-off

If you missed your curbside collection, Markham residents can drop off their leaf and yard material at these locations:

Reminder — NO grass clippings!

Drop off for composting:

Richmond Hill (Bloomington) Compost Facility 
1351 Bloomington Rd. East
Richmond Hill, ON
905-773-9876

Drop off as garbage:

Earl Turcott Waste Management Facility 
300 Rodick Road,
Markham, ON
905-475-6356

Visit York Region Waste Depots for hours, locations and fees