Kitchener’s leaf drop-off sites to open Oct. 15

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF KITCHENER
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The City of Kitchener’s leaf collection program is set to begin on Oct. 15 with the opening of eight convenient leaf drop-off sites across the city. Residents are reminded of the various options available including composting or mulching leaves, the Regional yard waste program, the city’s leaf drop-off sites and curbside collection service.  

Compost or mulch leaves at home 

Residents are encouraged to “leave the leaves” as they still have lots to offer the environment when they fall. Dry leaves are a carbon-rich ingredient for your compost pile that you can re-use to enrich your garden and soil. 

Yard waste program 

Residents can also use the Region of Waterloo’s curbside yard waste program. Check your neighbourhood schedule for when your yard waste collection week is. 

Leaf drop-off sites 

Eight convenient leaf drop-off sites are available for leaf drop off. Drop-off sites are in neighbourhoods across the city and will be open seven days a week during daylight hours from Friday, Oct. 15 to Friday, Dec. 10. The drop-off locations include:  

• Schaefer Park – Bloomingdale Road 

• Breithaupt Park – Kinsman Park, off Union Street 

• Kitchener Auditorium – Ottawa Street North entrance 

• Meinzinger Park Soccer Fields – Homer Watson Boulevard 

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• Lions Arena – Rittenhouse Road 

• Upper Canada Park – Pioneer Drive 

• Cherry Park – Strange Street and Waverly Road 

• Hofstetter Park – 40 Hofstetter Ave. 

Drop-off sites are for leaves only (no yard or household waste). The following guidelines apply to these sites: 

• If you are using bags to transport your leaves to a drop off site, empty your leaves loose and take your bags with you. No bags, including paper yard waste bags will be accepted at the drop-off sites. 

• Any other materials left at drop-off sites are considered illegal dumping and will be subject to a fine. City staff will monitor the sites and take a zero-tolerance approach with offenders. 

• Commercial haulers are not permitted to use the leaf drop-off sites.  

Loose-leaf collection 

For select areas with heavy tree cover, the City of Kitchener will be providing a loose-leaf collection service set to run from Nov. 8 to Nov. 29. Just like garbage collection, each neighbourhood has a designated week for pick-up. If you are eligible for loose-leaf collection:  

• Ensure you rake your leaves to the curb by 7 a.m. the week of your collection  

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• If raking earlier than the weekend before your collection, please rake leaves to the boulevard, moving leaves to the curb by 7 a.m. at the start of your pick-up week. Raking leaves out too early can cause safety hazards and potential flooding if storm drains are blocked. 

Residents living in areas identified as a hot spot zones on the leaf collection map will receive leaf collection as needed. Leaves in these zones must be raked out no earlier than Oct. 25 and no later than Nov. 29.  

To see if you’re in a heavy tree covered area that receives loose leaf collection, visit www.kitchener.ca/leafcollection

Help prevent flooding and keep streets safe 

Residents and businesses should never rake or blow leaves onto storm drains, sidewalks, or bike lanes. Raking or blowing leaves onto the street or sidewalk can create a safety hazard for pedestrians and cyclists and can cause flooding if a storm drain is blocked. If you see a blocked catch basin/storm drain, please call 519-741-2345. 

To learn about your leaf collection options, visit and subscribe to www.kitchener.ca/leafcollection  

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