AntoineAsphalt.caWhat Should I Do With Fall Leaves in Hamilton and Halton?
Quick answer
Don't leave a thick mat of leaves on your lawn, but you don't need to bag them all either. Toronto Master Gardeners suggest raking lawn leaves into garden beds and leaving only a thin, shredded layer on the grass, "thin enough so that you can see grass through the leaf layer." Put the rest out in paper yard-waste bags or approved open containers (no plastic bags, and not in Hamilton's green bin), or use Oakville's loose-leaf collection, which runs October 26 to December 4, 2026.
Should I rake my leaves or leave them?
Do both. Toronto Master Gardeners suggest:
- Rake leaves off the lawn and into garden beds as a natural mulch.
- A thin, shredded layer on the lawn is fine, as long as you can see grass through it.
- Shredding helps leaves break down faster, but it may kill insects that overwinter in them.
- Perennials can't grow through a thick mat of whole oak leaves, which take about 5 years to break down.
Can leaves go in the green bin or in plastic bags?
- Hamilton: no. Leaf and yard waste hasn't been allowed in green bins since April 1, 2019.
- Halton (Burlington and Oakville): plastic and compostable bags are not accepted.
How does yard-waste collection work in Hamilton?
- Containers: brown paper yard-waste bags, or an open-top rigid reusable container with a City of Hamilton yard waste sticker. Stickers are available at municipal service centres and recreation centres.
- In 2022: pickup was weekly with no limit. Set out between 7 p.m. the night before and 7 a.m. Yard waste went on a separate truck. The last curbside week of 2022 was December 5–9.
- Off-season (2022): free drop-off for residents at Community Recycling Centres, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We could not confirm Hamilton's 2026 fall end date. The City issues a fall notice each year about changes to the schedule. Check the City's yard waste page.
How does yard-waste collection work in Burlington and Oakville?
Halton Region rules:
- Season: first week of April to the second week of December, on your garbage day.
- Set-out: by 7 a.m., no more than one day early.
- Containers: paper yard-waste bags, or open, labelled, reusable rigid containers with no lid, up to 125 L and 50 lb.
- Brush: bundles up to 2 m × 1 m, branches no more than 7.5 cm (3 in.) across.
- Not accepted: plastic or compostable bags, sod, soil, rocks, clay, stumps and giant hogweed.
When is loose-leaf collection in Oakville and Burlington?
- Oakville (2026): October 26 to December 4, over six collection weeks by zone. Rake leaves onto the boulevard or shoulder by 7 a.m. on the first day of your zone's week, and no more than 7 days early. Keep piles out of bike lanes and ditches and off catch basins, and don't mix in brush or stones. Piles that are mixed or late must be bagged for Halton yard waste. The program serves neighbourhoods at least 25 years old with mature trees.
- Burlington: loose-leaf collection has usually started in early to mid-November and run for 3 to 4 weeks. We could not confirm the 2026 dates. Check burlington.ca.
When should I do my fall cleanup?
Plan to finish before your last pickup. Halton's curbside yard waste runs until the second week of December, and Oakville's loose-leaf collection ends December 4, 2026. In Hamilton, check this year's end date with the City.
Leaf rules by city
Hamilton
- Green bin?
- No (since April 1, 2019).
- Bags and containers
- Paper bags or a stickered open rigid container.
- Curbside season
- 2026 end date not confirmed; check with the City.Check with your city
- Set-out time
- 7 p.m. the night before to 7 a.m. (2022).Check with your city
- Loose-leaf collection
- No program confirmed.Check with your city
- Not accepted
- Blue boxes or cardboard boxes as containers (2022).Check with your city
Last checked October 2026. Rules change each year.
Burlington
- Green bin?
- Halton rules: leaf and yard waste goes in paper bags or approved containers.
- Bags and containers
- Halton rules; paper bags or labelled open rigid containers, max 125 L / 50 lb.
- Curbside season
- First week of April to the second week of December.
- Set-out time
- By 7 a.m., max one day early.
- Loose-leaf collection
- Usually early to mid-November for 3–4 weeks (2026 dates not confirmed).Check with your city
- Not accepted
- Plastic or compostable bags, sod, soil, rocks, clay, stumps, giant hogweed.
Oakville
- Green bin?
- Halton rules: leaf and yard waste goes in paper bags or approved containers.
- Bags and containers
- Halton rules; paper bags or labelled open rigid containers, max 125 L / 50 lb.
- Curbside season
- First week of April to the second week of December.
- Set-out time
- By 7 a.m., max one day early.
- Loose-leaf collection
- October 26 to December 4, 2026, by zone.
- Not accepted
- Plastic or compostable bags, sod, soil, rocks, clay, stumps, giant hogweed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put leaves in plastic bags?
Not in Halton, which rejects plastic and compostable bags. In Hamilton, use paper yard-waste bags or a stickered open container.
Will leaves kill my lawn?
A thick mat can smother it. A thin, shredded layer is fine if you can still see grass through it.
When is Oakville's leaf pickup in 2026?
October 26 to December 4, by zone. Have leaves out by 7 a.m. on the first day of your zone's week.
How big can brush bundles be in Halton?
Up to 2 m × 1 m, with branches no more than 7.5 cm (3 in.) across.
Related guides & services
If you'd rather not rake and bag it all, see our fall cleanup service.
Collection dates and rules change each year. Check with your city or Halton Region before you set leaves out.
Ask about your project
Contact Antoine Landscape Contractors at (647) 459-7775 or share your project details below.