Yard Trimmings material is collected year-round across the North Shore, always on the same day as your Garbage & Recycling collection. 

Yes (What We Pick Up)

• Grass clippings, leaves, weeds, brush and branches 
• Plants and flowers (living or dead/dried)
• Plant, tree or hedge prunings less than 3" in diameter and no more than 3' in length
• Christmas trees cut to fit in container (no flocking, tinsel, decorations or stand)
• Pumpkins after Halloween, broken into pieces

No (What We Don't Pick Up) - (see our Recycle This? section for more about these materials)

• No food waste (of any kind)
• No rocks, dirt, sod or animal droppings
• No plastic, glass, cans or paper
• No garbage
• No prunings over 3" in diameter or over 3' in length
• No painted or treated wood
• No garden hoses, flower pots or other non-organic materials

How to prepare

North Shore residents have the following choices for their yard trimmings set-out:

• Regular garbage cans (77-litre capacity or less), designated as Yard Trimmings Cans with official adhesive Yard Trimmings yard can labels and with lids to keep water out in case of rain - cans are the best choice for a Yard Trimmings container (rubber and metal last longest)
  
• Tied bundles - less than 3 feet in length and tied with garden string or twine (no wire, nylon rope or plastic strapping, please).
  
• Kraft yard bags - can be purchased from most local home improvement retailers.
  
• In the District of North Vancouver only, residents may use their own District-supplied 140-litre or 360-litre Schaefer carts, designated as permanent yard trimmings containers with "Yard Trimmings" yard can labels. Schaefers are special carts only available in the District of North Vancouver's semi-automated solid waste collection system (call the District at 604.990.3892 for more information on Schaefer carts, or order one online at www.dnv.org).
  
• Weight limits of 20 kg (44 lb) per can, bundle or kraft bag apply; for District of North Vancouver Schaefer carts, a weight limit of 90 kg applies.
  
• Yard trimmings will not be collected for recycling if set at the curb in clear plastic bags.

Things to Remember

• Special Yard Trimmings Can labels (see can photo) 'permanently' designate a can or in the District of North Vancouver, a Schaefer cart, as a Yard Trimmings container. 
• Each Yard Trimmings Can must be decaled with a Yard Trimmings Can decal.  Decals are available free of charge at the NSRP office, the North Shore Recycling Drop-off Dept, and your municipal hall.  Click here for our facility map for locations and contact info.
• Once a container is designated a Yard Trimmings Can, it cannot be used for yard trimmings one week and garbage the next (unless the label is removed).
• To help the crews distinguish yard trimmings containers from garbage containers, please ensure that:
  • your yard trimmings can/cart is set out with the affixed Yard Trimmings decal facing the street (for visibility);
  • that your yard trimmings containers are set out at least one (1) metre away from your garbage (again, to help with visibility).
• For large amounts of yard trimmings material, residents can drop off unlimited amounts of yard trimmings and untreated wood at the Metro Vancouver-operated North Shore Yard Trimmings Drop-off Site, located at 30 Riverside Drive, North Vancouver (click here for fees).
• You can simply and effectively reduce the amount of yard trimmings material you set out at the curb each week (and maybe save yourself some time and money in the process) by composting, grasscycling and reducing at source.  Visit our website www.gardensmart.ca for tips and ideas.
• For frequently asked questions about the North Shore's yard trimmings collection program, visit our FAQ page.