Disposing of Yard Waste in Toronto: Everything You Need to Know

What Does Yard Waste Include?

It is not all yard organic trash that falls under “yard waste” according to the City of Toronto waste policy. The municipality specifically states requirements and limitations of organic waste that are permissible to put in the yard waste collection.

Accepted Yard Wastes

• Grass clippings, leaves, plant trimmings
• Low branches (should be tied bundled, 1.2m or less in length)
• Garden flowers and weeds
• Holiday trees (during designated collection weeks)

What is NOT Yard Waste?

Certain items are not yard waste and need to be disposed of otherwise:

• Soil, rocks, and sod – These are fill materials, which cannot be included in yard waste pickup.
• Tree stumps and branches – Anything over 7.5 cm in diameter will not be collected by the city.
• Furniture, lumber, or pressure-treated wood – They are not biodegradable and must be disposed of properly.
• Synthetic material, garden hoses, and plastic pots – These ust be thrown away as garbage or recyclables.

While the city provides options for small-scale yard waste collection, if you’re dealing with large amounts, especially from tree removal, landscaping, or extensive garden cleanups, you’ll need a more practical solution like a yard waste dumpster rental. If you’re planning a big landscape project, renting a yard waste dumpster is your best option.

Two Main Options To Dispose Of Yard Waste:

1. City of Toronto Yard Waste Collection Program

Toronto offers yard waste collection twice a month between mid-March and mid-December. However, it helps to know the regulations to have your waste collected. Check out the City’s waste management guide for more information.

Preparing Yard Waste for City Collection

1. Kraft Paper Bags or Reusable Bins – Plastic bags cannot be used because they do not biodegrade.
2. Tie Branches Securely – They must be tied up with twine and must never exceed 1.2 meters in length.
3. Don’t Forget the Weight – Each bag or bundle must never exceed 20 kg; heavier waste is left behind.
4. Check Your Collection Schedule – Yard waste pickup is not weekly, and losing your scheduled pickup time can result in an additional two weeks of waiting.

City Collection Limitations

While wonderful for small yard cleanups, Toronto’s yard waste program has its limitations:

• Volume limitations – More than a few bags and you may have to wait for the next collection day.
• Tight guidelines – Anything not prepared properly or bigger than the limits will be left behind.
• Seasonal slowdowns – During heavy periods, like fall leaf collection, delays can occur.

When working with a large landscaping project, removals of trees, or garden renovation in weight, city pickup simply will not do. In cases such as these, it is ideal to rent a dumpster for yard debris.

2. Disposing Of Yard Waste At Drop-Off Deports

If you’ve missed your curbside yard waste pickup, or you simply have more than the city will take, Toronto also allows residents to drop off yard waste at select City of Toronto Drop-Off Depots. While this is a helpful option for small loads, it does come with its own set of limitations.

Yard Waste Accepted Locations:

Disco Road Drop-Off Depot: 120 Disco Rd., Etobicoke

• General Waste: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday Closed
• Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed

Ingram Drop-Off Depot: 50 Ingram Dr., North York

• General Waste: 24 hours from Monday at 6 a.m. to Saturday at 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed
• Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed

Dufferin Transfer Station: 35 Vanley Crescent, North York

• Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday Closed
• Waste Type: Garbage, Yard Waste, Blue Bin (Recycling), Renovation Waste (no drywall), Tires (up to 10), Metal, Mattresses
• Note: Does not accept Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic Waste materials or drywall

Scarborough Transfer Station: 1 Transfer Place, Scarborough

• General Waste: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed
• Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed

Victoria Park Drop-Off Depot: 3350 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

• General Waste: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday Closed
• Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed

Commissioners Drop-Off Depot (Toronto): 400 Commissioners Street, Toronto

• General Waste: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday Closed
• Household Hazardous & Electronic Waste: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday Closed

Operating Hours (as of latest city update):

• Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Sunday: Closed

Hours may vary slightly by location and season, so it’s always wise to check the City of Toronto website before making a trip.

Fees & Restrictions

Most residential users can drop off yard waste free of charge, provided the load is under 100 kg and classified strictly as organic yard waste. However, heavier or commercial loads may incur fees:

• General & Renovation Waste: Minimum $18 for loads under 100 kg; $176.39 per tonne after that.
• Recycling, Metal & Yard Waste: Free under 20 kg; $132.29 per tonne for heavier loads.

What You Can Drop Off:

• Grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings
• Garden plants, weeds
• Bundled branches (under 1.2 m, max 7.5 cm diameter)

What’s Not Accepted:

• Soil, sod, and rocks
• Treated or painted wood
• Plastic bags or plant containers
• Tree stumps and large logs

Important to Know Before You Go

• Yard waste must be separated from other materials.
• Proof of Toronto residency may be required.
• During peak seasons (spring and fall), expect lineups.
• Yard waste should be loose or in kraft paper bags—never in plastic.

While drop-off depots are helpful for small weekend projects or one-off bags of clippings, they can become a major hassle if you’re working on something larger.

How Renting a Yard Waste Dumpster Works in Toronto

Driving across the city with a trunk full of leaves and branches isn’t ideal, especially if you’re renovating a landscape, trimming several trees, or doing a full seasonal cleanup. That’s why hiring a dumpster for yard waste disposal is a smart, time-saving alternative.

If you’re working on heavy yard debris such as concrete, bricks, or dense garden waste, getting a yard waste bin rental is most convenient, and we’ve simplified the process considerably at Bins Toronto. Whether taking out an existing patio, pulling up flagstones, or renovating through some landscaping work, we have three sizes of yard waste bins to handle your task. Our 4-yard bin is $275 and comes with 1 ton of capacity, which is perfect for smaller hardscaping jobs. For the in-between-sized projects, our 6 6-yard bin is available for $325 with 1 ton. For large cleanouts, the 8-yard bin is $350 and can hold up to 8 tons of heavy-duty load. Just a reminder: mixed loads have a flat $50 charge.

Booking is a breeze: choose your bin, book by phone or online, and we’ll deliver it wherever you’d like it, anywhere in the GTA or Toronto. Fill it as you like, and when you’re done, we’ll return and take it away and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible manner. Our dumpsters are built tough for heavy compact trash and are city dump compliant, so you have nothing to worry about. Our clear pricing, fast delivery, and flexible rental terms make us the go-to choice for contractors and homeowners who want a simple solution to heavy-duty yard trash.

Why Renting a Yard Waste Dumpster is Better Than City Pickup

If you do have plenty of yard refuse, the best approach to it is to get a dumpster bin rental from Bins Toronto.

When Should You Consider Renting a Yard Waste Dumpster?

• Landscaping projects – If removing heaps of sod, tree branches, or bushes.
• Cutting or removal of a tree – City pickup does not take huge limbs or stumps.
• Storm cleanups – Those unexpected storms could create a massive mess of yard material.
• Seasonal overhauls – When you’re cleaning out the yard in preparation for winter or spring.

Benefits of a Yard Waste Dumpster Rental

• No weight restriction – No city collection weight limit, you dump all you need.
• Faster cleanup – Don’t have to wait for the scheduled collection day.
• Convenience – The dumpster is brought right to your property and removed upon completion.
• Versatility – For all organics, regardless of size: larger tree branch, sod.

Environmental Impact of Yard Waste Disposal

The proper disposal of yard waste is more than just convenient, it directly impacts the environment.

What Happens to Collected Yard Waste?

Where does the yard waste go when it’s picked up? Instead of winding up in the dump, it’s:

• Converted into compost – Raw material is recycled and turned into enriched soil used in landscaping and farming.
• Urban park and green park mulch – Wood chips and leaves are typically recycled to maintain the health of the soil.
• Landfill diverted – Organic waste that is kept away from landfills reduces methane gases and pollution in the environment.

By taking advantage of the service of professional waste disposal by Bins Toronto, you ensure your yard waste is disposed of in an eco-friendly way that causes less harm.

Your Yard, Your Rules: Simplify Waste Disposal with Bins Toronto

Yard organic waste is handled through proper planning, whether it is a big landscaping project or just a cleanup. While municipal collection can do much for the small scale, additional projects require an easier alternative. Bins Toronto yard waste dumpster rental provides the fastest, easiest way to get rid of organic trash without limits.

Maintain your property clean, be in good standing with waste regulations, and dispose with ease using Toronto’s highest-rated bin rental firm. Book your dumpster today for easy yard debris disposal!