Waterloo starts leaf collection Oct. 26: zones and dates

The City of Waterloo will begin its optional loose leaf collection on Monday, Oct. 26, and crews will work through the city’s zones until Nov. 21, weather permitting, the city said.

The four-week program visits each zone only once, so residents who miss their week will not get a second pass. The city said crews need to prepare their equipment for snow clearing after the program ends.

The estimated schedule puts zones W6, W8, E5, E7 and E8 first, in the week of Oct. 26 to 31. Zones W1, W7, E4 and E6 follow in the week of Nov. 2 to 7, then W3, W4, E2 and E3 from Nov. 9 to 14. The last week, Nov. 16 to 21, covers W2, W5 and E1. Crews collect areas with younger trees first, then areas with more mature trees.

The service covers street tree leaves only, meaning leaves on the boulevard, the city said. Residents can find their zone on the map at waterloo.ca/leafcollection or watch for neighbourhood signs showing when collection is scheduled.

The city asked residents to rake leaves to the curb only a few days before their zone’s collection begins, and to keep storm drains, sidewalks and bike lanes clear. The city’s release does not say whether residents must register, whether there is a fee or what kind of containers to use, and residents can contact the city through waterloo.ca for those details.

Residents who prefer not to rake can leave leaves mulched on the lawn or piled in gardens, which the city said supports pollinators and enriches soil. The Region of Waterloo’s biweekly yard waste program runs from October to early December, and leaves can also be dropped off for composting at the region’s Erb Street site.

Leaf rules vary by city. Our report on Victoria’s leaf pickup, which runs to January and our guide to mulching fall leaves with a mower explain other options. Waterloo voters also head to the polls on the same day collection begins, and our K-W voting guide has hours and ID rules.

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Source: City of Waterloo news release, “Optional loose leaf collection for City of Waterloo residents in 2026.”