If you live in Winnipeg, you have good options to keep yard waste out of the landfill. The City runs a seasonal curbside program. Private services and community composting offer additional options. This article explains how yard waste collection in Winnipeg works. It also shows eco-friendly options and how Mr. Garbage can help.
How yard waste collection in Winnipeg works
Who runs the curbside program
The City of Winnipeg collects yard waste from spring through fall. Collection happens once every two weeks on your regular collection day. The city posts start and end dates each year and divides the city into seasonal areas.
What the City accepts (and what it won’t take)
The city accepts grass clippings, leaves, garden waste, plants, flowers, bush and shrub clippings, and small tied bundles of branches. They do not accept logs, stumps, sod, rocks, dirt, or items that can damage equipment. Plastic bags are not accepted because they do not break down during composting. Use reusable containers, cardboard boxes, or paper yard waste bags.
Where the collected material goes
Yard waste collected at the curb is taken to the Brady Road Resource Management Facility. There it is composted in windrows and turned into finished compost that the city sometimes gives back to residents. This closes the loop: yard waste becomes a soil product.
Eco-friendly alternatives to standard pickup
Backyard composting
Composting in your yard is the simplest green option. Keep a bin or a pile. Add greens (grass, fresh plant trimmings) and browns (dry leaves, shredded cardboard). Turn the pile occasionally. Backyard compost reduces truck trips and gives you compost for your garden. The City and local groups provide composting tips for home users.
Community and private organics services
If you can’t compost at home, local programs collect organics, including yard waste and some food scraps. Compost Winnipeg is one example of a private service that takes a wide range of organics and turns them into compost. These programs often accept items your curbside program does not, and they can be useful after larger projects.
Drop-off and depot options
Winnipeg runs waste diversion events and 4R Depots where residents can drop off leaf and yard waste. These drop-off points feed the city’s composting system. Check the City’s event calendar for dates and locations.
When to choose curbside yard waste collection vs another option
Use curbside pickup when:
- You have normal seasonal yard waste.
- You prefer a simple, regular service.
- Your materials fit city rules (no plastic bags, branches bundled).
- The City’s seasonal schedule makes curbside pickup reliable for most homeowners.
Choose private or drop-off services when:
- You have a large cleanup (renovation, storm damage).
- You need same-week removal or special handling.
- You have materials not allowed in the curbside program.
- Private services can be more flexible about volumes and timing. Compost-focused services often accept a wider range of organics.
Preparing yard waste the right way
Bagging, bundling, and placing at the curb
Use paper yard waste bags, cardboard boxes, or reusable open-top containers without lids. Tie branches in bundles no longer than one metre and not too heavy for manual handling. Don’t mix soil, rocks, or sod with yard waste. These steps speed up processing and protect equipment.
Tips for more compostable material
- Keep leaves dry when possible so they decompose efficiently.
- Shred larger branches or use a lawn mower to mulch leaves.
- Remove non-organic material before setting out piles.
- These small steps improve the quality of compost that the city and private facilities produce.
How composting yard waste helps Winnipeg’s environment
Lower greenhouse gas emissions
When organic waste breaks down in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting yard waste avoids that and returns carbon and nutrients to the soil. Municipal composting programs are part of Winnipeg’s efforts to reduce landfill emissions.
Local soil improvement and reuse
Finished compost from yard waste is used to enrich soil in parks and community gardens, and is even made available to residents. This local reuse cuts the need for imported soil amendments. The City’s compost giveaway is one practical result.
Private yard waste and organic services in Winnipeg (what they offer)
What can private companies do for you?
Private companies often offer:
- Flexible pickup schedules.
- Same-week or next-day service.
- Acceptance of a wider range of organics.
- On-site removal after renovations or storm cleanup.
- This can be more convenient for busy homeowners, landlords, or contractors.
How Mr. Garbage fits in
Mr. Garbage offers tailored yard waste pickup in Winnipeg with an emphasis on responsible disposal and recycling. They can collect brush, leaves, and green waste and ensure material is taken to facilities that compost or recycle it when possible. If you need help with a large yard cleanup, Mr. Garbage can arrange a pickup that follows city and provincial rules. Mr. Garbage
Rules to avoid common problems and fines
Don’t use plastic bags
Plastic bags are prohibited in yard waste collection because they ruin compost. Use paper bags or reusable containers. The City enforces the rule to protect the composting process.
Watch out for contaminated loads
Do not set out construction debris, soil, sod, rocks, or building waste with yard waste. These items can damage machinery and slow composting. If you have mixed material after a renovation, consider a private service equipped for construction debris.
Simple ways homeowners can reduce yard waste
Mow high, leave clippings
Leave small grass clippings on the lawn. They break down quickly and feed the soil. This reduces the volume you need to set out for pickup.
Plant for low maintenance
Choose native plants and shrubs. They need less pruning and produce less waste. Over time, this lowers how much yard waste you create.
Reuse and repurpose
Use twigs and small branches for garden edging or brush piles for wildlife habitat. Reuse fallen leaves as mulch, or shred them to mix into compost. Small choices reduce what needs hauling away.
What to expect during a large cleanup or renovation
Plan the removal
If you’re renovating or removing large trees, check city rules on logs and stumps. These items usually aren’t accepted in curbside yard waste. Book a private service that can handle larger materials or coordinate a drop-off.
Ask about diversion rates
When you hire a private company, ask where the yard waste goes and how much of it is diverted from landfill. A reliable company will track diversion and explain how material is composted or reused.
Expert perspective
“Composting yard waste is one of the easiest ways homeowners can reduce emissions and build healthier soil in their neighbourhoods. It’s low effort and high impact,” Dr. Laura Jensen, Waste Management Specialist.
This perspective reflects the consensus among municipal composting programs: divert organics, reduce landfill methane, and reuse nutrients locally.
How to choose the right yard waste collection option for your home
- Check your usual seasonal volume. Use curbside pickup for regular seasonal amounts.
- For large cleanups, use a private company that handles bulky organics and mixed loads.
- If you like DIY, start a backyard composter. It reduces trips and gives you compost for the garden.
If you want help choosing, Mr. Garbage can assess your cleanup and recommend the greenest option that follows City rules.
Conclusion
Winnipeg homeowners have several eco-friendly yard waste collection options. The City’s curbside program is easy and reliable for seasonal waste. Backyard composting and private organics services add flexibility. For big cleanups, a responsible private company like Mr. Garbage can remove materials and route them for composting. Choose the option that fits your volume and timing. If you want help planning a cleanup or booking a pickup, Mr. Garbage can handle it and make sure your yard waste is diverted from the landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What items are accepted in yard waste collection in Winnipeg?
A1: The City accepts grass clippings, leaves, plants, flowers, bush and shrub clippings, and small tied bundles of branches. Logs, stumps, sod, rocks, dirt, and plastic bags are not accepted.
Q2: When does the City run yard waste collection in Winnipeg?
A2: Yard waste collection runs seasonally from spring through fall. The City sets exact start and end dates each year and collects yard waste every other week on your regular collection day. Check the city calendar or My Waste app for dates.
Q3: Can I compost yard waste at home instead of using curbside pickup?
A3: Yes. Backyard composting is encouraged. It reduces the amount you set out and gives you compost for your garden. The City and local groups provide composting tips.
Q4: What should I do after a major storm or renovation?
A4: Large volumes, logs, and stumps usually need special handling. Use a private removal service that accepts bulky organics or take items to a designated drop-off depot. Ask the company where they send the material.
Q5: How can Mr. Garbage help with yard waste collection in Winnipeg?
A5: Mr. Garbage offers pickup services for brush, leaves, and green waste. They follow local rules and route material to composting or recycling facilities when possible. Contact Mr. Garbage to schedule a pickup or to plan a large cleanup.
Local resources and where to learn more
- City of Winnipeg: yard waste collection and rules. City of Winnipeg
- What happens to yard waste (city story on composting)? City of Winnipeg
- Compost Winnipeg: private organics collection and services. compostwinnipeg.ca
- Mr. Garbage: local yard waste collection and removal services. Mr. Garbage
You can also contact 311 or use the City’s My Waste app to find your collection day and seasonal calendar. City of Winnipeg