City sharing spring cleanup tips ahead of 2022 Compost Giveaways beginning this weekend

HAMILTON, ON - With warm weather around the corner and more residents preparing their yard for the warm days ahead, the City is sharing tips for proper recycling of leaf and yard waste and reminding residents of upcoming Compost Giveaway events beginning this weekend.

Spring Cleanup

• Place yard waste in a brown paper yard waste bag, bushel basket, or an open-top rigid reusable container with handles on opposite sides. If using a container, please mark it with City of Hamilton yard waste stickers placed around the container. Yard waste stickers are free. Visit www.hamilton.ca/yardwaste for a list of pick up locations. 
• Yard waste is not accepted in the green bin.
• Branches more than 7cm (2.5in) in diameter are not collected curbside and can be taken to a Community Recycling Centre, free of charge for residents.
• If using a reusable container to dispose of yard waste, drill holes into the sides and bottom of your container to allow drainage and air circulation. Remove the lid before placing at the curb for collection.
• Keep each bag, bundle or container of yard waste under 22kg (50lb) to maintain the safety of waste collection operators.
• Roll paper bags shut at the top with no branches sticking out. Store bags in a dry location until your collection day.
• Branches, sticks and twigs must be tied with twine in bundles no longer than 1.2m (4ft) and .75m (2.5ft) in diameter.

Compost Giveaways

• Throughout the year, the City picks up residents’ yard waste as part of the curbside leaf and yard waste collection program. After it’s picked up, it’s processed and turned into nutrient-rich compost. As a thank you for participating in the yard waste program, the City gives some of the compost back to residents to use on vegetable gardens, flower beds and lawns.
• This year, the City is hosting its annual Compost Giveaway over three Saturdays, April 30, May 7 and May 14, 2022 between 7 am and 12 pm (while quantities last) at Turner Park, 344 Rymal Rd E.
• Residents are asked to bring their own buckets or containers and shovel to the giveaway location this weekend.
• A 15-minute time limit for loading compost per vehicle will be in place.
• Compost is for residents only and not available for commercial businesses.
• Further details can be found at: www.hamilton.ca/compost

Compost Tips

• When using fresh compost in vegetable gardens and flower beds, apply 2cm (.75in) of compost and work into the soil.
• For new beds add 2-5cm (.78–1.96in) of compost and work into the soil to 12cm (4.72in) in depth, plant and water accordingly.