Yard Waste Curbside Collection Program
As of June 15, 2009, all single family residences receiving curbside recycling and garbage collection also started receiving biweekly curbside yard waste collection. All single family residences were mailed a detailed information brochure, schedule, and yard waste container stickers, prior to the yard waste collection program starting. Yard waste is accepted for collection in garbage cans or in tied bundles. As of August 17, 2009, yard waste may also be placed in compostable kraft paper yard waste bags. Plastic and compostable plastic bags are not accepted. Unlimited amounts (within reason) of yard waste will be collected biweekly. Yard waste containers must be less than 80 L capacity and less than 23 kg (50 lb) in weight, and have a City of Abbotsford yard waste sticker attached to each container. Bundles must be tied with a compostable string, such as jute or cotton, and be less than 12 kg (25 lbs) in weight. Kraft paper yard waste bags must be less than 12 kg (25 lbs) in weight. Kraft paper yard waste bags can be purchased at most hardware stores and at some other grocery and department stores as well. The kraft paper bags should not be left out in the rain or be exposed to moisture for extended periods of time prior to pickup to ensure they maintain their carrying integrity. Only paper bags of good integrity will be collected. Additional yard waste stickers and brochures are available at City Hall and recreation centres. Program and schedule information is also available on the City website.
Acceptable Yard Waste for Curbside Collection Program
- Grass clippings
- Branches (must either be placed in yard waste can or tied in bundles)
Bundles must be no longer than 1.0 metres (3.3 ft) in length, no more than 0.6 metres (2 ft) in diameter, and weigh no more than 12 kg (25 lbs) in weight. The bundle must be tied using a compostable string, such as jute or cotton.
- Tree, hedge, garden trimmings
- Leaves, flowers, plants
- Bark mulch
- Fallen fruit, corn husks
- Halloween pumpkins
If you don't have space in your backyard composter, give your old Jack-O-Lanterns a new life by putting them into your yard waste container along with your leaves. Don't forget to remove any candles and non-organic decorations, such as any plastics or metal. Place pumpkins in your reusable yard waste container, not into a kraft paper yard waste bag. Pumpkins can also be taken to the Abbotsford Mission Recycling Depot Yard Waste Drop Off where they will be accepted at no charge. The Recycling Depot is located at 33670 Valley Road.
Christmas trees are accepted for free at the yard and garden waste drop off area during the month of January at the Recycling Depot on Valley Road. Christmas trees can also be disposed of using the yard waste curbside collection program. If using the yard waste curbside collection program, the Christmas tree pieces can either be bundled, placed in yard waste containers, or placed into yard waste kraft paper bags. Be sure to remove all decorations and non-compostable items from the tree.
Materials Not Accepted in Yard Waste Curbside Collection Program
- Kitchen Waste
- Sod
- Stumps
- Rocks
- Food waste
- Cooked plant matter
- Animal feces
- Flower Pots, plastics
- Lumber or plywood
- Treated or painted wood
- Paper
- Lawn furniture
- Garden Tools, metals
- Tree limbs and tree portions that are greater than 150 mm (6 inches) in diameter, or 1.0 metres (3.3 ft) in length.
Drop-off Option for Residential Quantities of Yard Waste
In addition to the curbside yard waste collection program to start in June 2009, the City will also maintain the Yard Waste Drop Off area for for drop off of residential quantities at the Abbotsford Mission Recycling Depot located at 33670 Valley Road. The drop off for yard and garden waste is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm. The following drop-off fees apply:
Quantity of Yard Waste
- Four bags or less (or equivalent) $4
- Five to 10 bags (or equivalent) $8
- 11 or more bags (or equivalent) $16
*Please note that fees are subject to change. Please contact the Recycling Depot if you wish to confirm the most up to date fee amount.
The following materials will be accepted:
- grass clippings;
- tree trimmings; and
- branches and trunks must be smaller than 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter and 1.8 m (6 feet) in length.
The following materials are not accepted:
- soil;
- sod;
- lumber; and
- cedar in large quantities may not be accepted.
All yard waste collected by the City from the curbside and at the drop off area, is taken to The Answer Garden Products, at 27715 Huntington Road, Abbotsford, where it is composted and sold at retail stores as various compost mixes. Commercial quantities of yard waste can also be taken to The Answer Garden Products. Call 604-856-6221 for rates.
Private Yard Waste Pickup Service
For large amounts of yard waste, or for multi-family or commercial properties, pickup services can be arranged with Valley Organics Recycling, a social enterprise of MCC support services. Valley Organics Recycling is located at 103-2776 Bourquin Crescent, Telephone: 604-504-7758. In order to have your yard waste picked up by Valley Organics Recycling, you need to purchase yard waste stickers at $3 per bag at Valley Organics Recycling.
Valley Organics Recycling requires that yard waste be placed in regular 80 Litre (maximum 23 kg) garbage bags at the curbside by 9:00 am on pickup day. Pickup requires 24-hour notice. Please contact Valley Organics Recycling for additional details.
Commercial Quantities of Yard Waste
Commercial quantities of yard waste can be taken to The Answer Garden Products, at 27715 Huntington Road, Abbotsford. Call 604-856-6221 for rates.
Disposing of sod, stumps and soil
Sod and stumps are accepted at the following locations (please call for tipping fee cost):
- Valley Pulp & Sawdust, 4491 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, 604-853-1075
In addition to sod and stumps, soil is also accepted at the following locations (please call for tipping fee cost):
Some gravel pits and authorized soil fill areas may also accept sod and soil.
Sod, stumps and soil are also accepted (as garbage) at the following locations (please call for tipping fee cost):
- BFI Transfer Station, 34321 Industrial Way, Abbotsford, 604-864-9177
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