Leaf and yard waste collection is coming up in Pembroke, Petawawa and Laurentian Valley.
The Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre says leaf and yard waste will only be collected on your regular collection day during the designated weeks of May 3rd and May 17th and is collected separately from other materials. Leaf and yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected.
Leaf and yard waste includes leaves, garden plants, hedge trimmings and grass clippings. Leaf and yard waste must be placed at the curb in reusable containers (lids off), cardboard boxes or paper leaf and yard waste bags and must not exceed 50 lbs (23kgs).
Bundled branches will be collected with leaf and yard waste. Individual branches must be no more than 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and 4 feet (1.2 m) in length. Bundled branches must be no more than 2 feet (0.6 m) in diameter and must not exceed 50 lbs (23kgs).
Green carts will ONLY be collected on green cart collection days and the lid must be closed. Carts that contain branches that prevent the lid from closing will not be collected.
Leaves and grass clippings ONLY (loose or in paper bags) can be dropped off at the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre for no charge. Mixed leaf and yard waste, branches of all sizes, tree limbs, wood chips, sawdust and stumps will be directed to the Construction & Demolition Site at OVWRC and tipping fees will apply.
Once leaf and yard waste is collected, it is brought to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre for composting. Leaf and yard waste is composted separately from regular green cart material.
Director of Public Works at the Town of Petawawa Dave Unrau says when residents place items like garden hoses, ropes or plastic bags in the leaf and yard waste it can cause significant operational problems at the Waste Recovery Centre. He adds material can wrap around processing equipment causing delays and breakdowns.
Collected leaf and yard waste is composted at the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre. It is important to only set acceptable leaf and yard waste items out for collection. Material in plastic bags will not be collected.