Garden waste and dead leaves

Last updated November 3, 2022

Garden debris, hedge trimmings, grass and dead leaves  —  what should you do with green waste? Find practical information about green waste collections here.

Appropriate processing of green waste helps to reduce the negative impacts of landfilling and creates quality compost to nourish our green spaces. Part of the compost that the city produces is distributed to residents free of charge once or twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, depending on which borough you live in.

Dumping garden waste in parks is prohibited

To preserve the ecosystems of Montréal parks, you must never dispose of green waste from flower gardens, vegetable patches or landscaping in a park. Green waste (branches, leaves, soil, plants, etc.) may be compostable, but it can also disturb the balance of a natural ecosystem. For example, it can spread diseases that affect wild plants, and can allow undesirable, non-native and, in some cases, invasive plant species to take root in the park.

Dead leaves

It is prohibited to place dead leaves in the street. 

You can either leave them on your property to decompose naturally, or ut them in containers that are authorized by your borough. They will then be picked up as part of the green waste collection (or organic materials collection, in certain boroughs). 

If you see piles of leaves in your street, no need to let us know. Road crews have piled the leaves there temporarily and will come to pick them up as soon as possible.

Ecological Turf Tips

Grasscycling and leafcycling consist of leaving mown grass on the lawn and shredding autumn leaves instead of raking them. Not only do you have less to do, you get natural fertilizer to nourish your grass and green spaces.

Green or organic waste?

The type of facility where your organic waste will be sent determines what you can put in your brown bin.

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