Gananoque introduces user-pay for leaf, yard waste

The Town of Gananoque is turning over a new leaf when it comes to yard waste collection, introducing a user-pay system aimed at improving cost efficiency and streamlining services for residents.

Starting this spring, residents who wish to have their bagged yard waste collected at the curb between April 14 and April 25, will need to purchase $2.50 bag tags for each bag placed out for pickup.

Only paper bags will be accepted, and they must not exceed 40 pounds. The tags will be available for purchase at Town Hall, White’s Grocery, Metro, and Home Hardware.

For people looking to bypass the fee, the town’s public works yard offers a free alternative. Residents can drop off properly bagged yard waste on Wednesdays and Saturdays during operating hours. However, those disposing of loose leaf or yard waste will face a $40 charge per half-ton truckload.

Despite the new cost structure for bagged collection, the town is maintaining its free curbside brush collection service for two weeks in the spring and two weeks in the fall.

To ensure smooth collection, residents must neatly pile their brush at the curb with all ends facing one direction for efficient chipping. While there is no length limit, branches must not exceed 10 inches in diameter, and tree stumps will not be accepted.

The shift to a user-pay model is part of a broader effort to make waste collection more sustainable and efficient, while still providing flexible options for disposal, town officials say.

The goal is to strike a balance between maintaining an accessible collection service and managing the costs associated with it. With both curbside pickup and a free drop-off option, residents can choose what works best for them.

Residents are reminded that yard waste bags should not be placed at the curb before the weekend leading up to the collection period. Additionally, leaf bags will not be collected outside of the designated dates.

The town hasn’t announced the fall collection dates, but the public works yard will remain open from April 15 to Nov. 30 for ongoing disposal needs.

For more information, residents can contact the Public Works Department at 613-382-2149 Ext. 1613 or email pwinfo@gananoque.ca.