Organics Diversion

Composting can divert as much as 30 per cent of household waste that is sent to landfill sites (and reduce how many bag tags you need). With composting, organic material is broken down to the consistency of dirt and can be used as mulch, adding nutrients to plants. The great thing about backyard composting is that it generates a wonderful product for your garden—all you must do is put organic material into a composter. Why landfill your organic waste when you can process it on your property for personal use and save the money spent on bag tags?  

Let us rebate your backyard composter:

Residents can purchase a backyard composter of their choice, complete and submit the rebate form for a rebate up to $40. Please note: only one rebate per household. See rebate form for all terms and conditions.

When you cut your lawn, leave the grass clippings there! Due to the high water and nitrogen content, grass clippings easily break down when exposed to air, returning to the soil within one to two weeks. This allows the fresh grass clippings to become fertilizer for the lawn that was just cut. With this strategy, you can save yourself the effort of composting and raking up grass clippings while helping your lawn maintain its strength and colour.

Leaf and yard waste collection occurs twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. These collections occur in Almonte and the villages of Pakenham, Blakeney, Appleton, and Clayton. Bags must be biodegradable paper bags. Items must be out at curbside by 7 a.m. on the day of collection to guarantee pick-up.  Paper bags with leaf and yard waste do NOT require bag tags to be picked up.

Fall 2026 Leaf and Yard Waste Curbside Collection Dates:

November 10, 2026:

• West side of Almonte (garbage collection Wednesday)

November 11, 2026:

• Hamlets/villages of Appleton, Blakeney, Clayton, Pakenham
• The following subdivisions: Pakenham Golf Course, Oakland Crescent (Booth), Fairway Crescent, Julie Anne Crescent, Spruce Crescent, Senator (Torok, Emerich) and Heather Crescent (Carl Lee, Duncan)

November 12, 2026:

• East side of Almonte (garbage collection Friday)
• The following subdivisions: Whitetail Ridge, Greystone/Stonehome Crescent

Leaf and Yard Waste Depots

Leaf and yard waste may also be brought to local recycling depots:

• Howie Road Depot
• Pakenham Recycling Depot
• Beckwith Transfer Station

Click on the depot links above or visit our Waste and Recycle Depot webpage for location information and hours. 

Accepted yard waste:

Leaves, brush, pumpkins, grass clippings, garden waste, tree trimmings, houseplants.

Clippings from trees and shrubs should be tied securely with string (no wire) in small bundles to permit easy handling.

Unacceptable yard waste:

• NO kitchen waste
• NO milled lumber
• NO stumps or tree limbs with a diameter in excess of 50mm (2") - the depots will accept up to 150mm (6")
• NO unbundled brush
• NO sod, dirt, soil, stones, garbage, metal or animal droppings

Christmas trees will not be collected curbside outside of the dates listed below.

Tuesday, January 5 & 12, 2027:

• West side of Almonte (garbage collection Wednesday)

Wednesday, January 6 & 12, 2027:

• Hamlets/villages of Appleton, Blakeney, Clayton, Pakenham
• The following subdivisions: Pakenham Golf Course, Oakland Crescent (Booth), Fairway Crescent, Julie Anne Crescent, Spruce Crescent, Senator (Torok, Emerich) and Heather Crescent (Carl Lee, Duncan)

Thursday, January 7 & 14, 2027:

• East side of Almonte (garbage collection Friday)
• The following subdivisions: Whitetail Ridge, Greystone/Stonehome Crescent

Christmas tree curbside collection dates for 2028 will be announced closer to the holiday season.