Residents reminded to use Kraft paper bags for fall cleanup

York Region is reminding residents to use Kraft paper bags or reusable containers when setting out yard waste this fall .

Kraft paper bags decompose naturally and can be composted along with the yard waste they contain, reducing processing costs and improving waste diversion. By separating yard waste from regular garbage, residents can help save valuable landfill space and reduce the number of trucks currently shipping waste to landfills in Michigan and southwestern Ontario.

Reusable containers (like garbage cans) can also be used to dispose of yard waste. To assist collection crews in identifying yard waste, York Region developed a yard waste sticker that can be placed on the outside of reusable yard waste containers. To obtain a yard waste sticker, contact York Region at 1-877-464- 9675 ext. 5746.

For this year's yard waste pickup schedule, residents can refer to the waste calendar provided by their local municipality.

Residents with an abundance of yard waste can drop it off at one of the following locations:

York Region Waste Management Centre, at 100 Garfield Wright Blvd. in East Gwillimbury (this facility is open Saturdays only until Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.); York Region Waste Transfer Station at 23068 Warden Ave. in Georgina (open Monday to Saturday all year, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); and Miller Waste Systems at 1351 Bloomington Rd. in Richmond Hill (open April 1 to Nov. 30 Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from Dec. 1 to March 31 Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)