Saanich yard waste collection and drop-off
Where does yard waste and brush go in Saanich?
In Saanich, yard waste goes in the green organics cart (collected every two weeks), or to the Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off at 1040 McKenzie Ave, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A fall leaf collection also runs. No separate drop-off charge is stated.
Key facts
| Curbside collection | Yes, in the green organics cart, collected every two weeks: leaves, grass clippings, prunings, plants and branches. In fall Saanich also runs a leaf collection (2026 first pass starts November 2) for broad leaves raked in rows or piles by the road.Cart Selection, Cart Selection page; Leaf Collection Program, Leaf Collection page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWe accept yard trimmings in the organics cart. Include your grass clippings, leaves, prunings, plants and branches. November 2: official start date for first pass collection. Only broad leaves can be collected. |
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| How to set it out | Cart: everything must fit with the lid closed; no size rule for branches is given for the cart. Leaf program: broad leaves only, in rows or piles no more than 1 m from the road, clear of catch basins, sidewalks and bike lanes, not in ditches; no limit on piles. Drop-off: branches no longer than 2 m and 5 cm thick.Leaf Collection Program, Guidelines; Garden Recycling Drop-off, What you can drop off; Greener Garbage Collection Guidelines, General Program Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLeaves must be in rows or piles no more than 1 metre away from the road. No limit to number of piles or rows. Leaves must not be placed in ditches. branches (no larger than 2m in length and 5cm in diameter) Everything must fit inside the carts with the lids closed. |
| Drop-off | Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off at the Saanich Operations Centre, 1040 McKenzie Ave: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays and statutory holidays; open year-round. Residents only, vehicles up to 3/4 ton, one load a day; proof of residency may be requested.Sources differ: The Outdoor Burning page gives the address as 1010 McKenzie Avenue; all other pages say 1040. Hours are the posted current hours and may change (a Remembrance Day closure is posted for November 11, 2026).Garden Recycling Drop-off, Drop-off page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinglocated at the Saanich Operations Centre (1040 McKenzie Avenue) and operates year-round Monday to Saturday: Open (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Residential use only - Proof of residency may be requested Maximum vehicle size is 3/4 ton One load per day |
| Cost | No separate drop-off or leaf-collection charge is stated: the annual Solid Waste Services fee ($194.13 in 2026) includes the garden recycling drop-off and leaf collection. A special pick-up of yard trimmings is $50 per cubic metre (minimum $50).Cart Selection, Cart Selection page; Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIncludes the Saanich Public Works garden recycling drop-off and leaf collection. Special Pick-up of Garbage or Yard Trimmings*** $50.00 per cubic metre |
| Not accepted | Drop-off does not accept soil, sod, tree root balls, ashes, rock, demolition wood or animal waste. The fall leaf program takes broad leaves only (no tree needles, acorns, chestnuts, pinecones, grass clippings or prunings).Garden Recycling Drop-off, What you can and can't drop off; Leaf Collection Program, We don't accept; Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233, s. 1.17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingsoil, sod, tree root balls ashes, rock, demolition wood animal waste We're not able to accept a number of items in our leaf collection program as it contaminates our final product. The mulched leaves are used in our parks, allotment gardens and for Garry Oak restoration. Please put the following in your organics recycling cart: - Tree needles - Acorns - Chestnuts Please put the following in your organics recycling cart: - Tree needles - Acorns - Chestnuts - Pinecones - Tree needles - Acorns - Chestnuts - Pinecones - Grass clippings - Prunings - Garden waste It does not include: soil, sod, ashes, rocks, root balls, animal |
| Bylaw | Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGARBAGE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL BYLAW, 2013, NO. 9233 |
How it works
Curbside. Leaves, grass clippings, prunings, plants and branches go in the green organics cart, collected every two weeks. Everything must fit with the lid closed. If it will not fit, order a bigger or extra cart, or use the drop-off. The cart rules are in the Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233.
Fall leaf collection. Each fall Saanich collects broad leaves raked in rows or piles by the road (the 2026 first pass starts November 2). Keep piles no more than 1 m from the road, clear of catch basins, sidewalks and bike lanes, and not in ditches. There is no limit on piles. It takes broad leaves only: no tree needles, acorns, chestnuts, pinecones, grass clippings or prunings.
Drop-off. Yard and Garden Waste Drop-off, Saanich Operations Centre, 1040 McKenzie Ave: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays and statutory holidays, open year-round. Residents only, vehicles up to 3/4 ton, one load a day; proof of residency may be requested. Branches must be no longer than 2 m and 5 cm thick. It does not accept soil, sod, tree root balls, ashes, rock, demolition wood or animal waste.
Steps
- Use the green cart first.
- For extra, take it to 1040 McKenzie Ave, or set leaves out under the Leaf Collection Program.
- For a special pick-up of yard trimmings, the charge is $50 per cubic metre (minimum $50).
Good to know
- The Garden Recycling Drop-off page shows the current hours, which can change; a Remembrance Day closure is posted for November 11, 2026.
- The Outdoor Burning page gives the address as 1010 McKenzie Avenue; every other page and the bylaw say 1040.
- No separate drop-off or leaf-collection charge is stated: the annual Solid Waste Services fee ($194.13 in 2026) includes both.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Yard waste collection in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Garden Recycling Drop-off, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Cart Selection, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Greener Garbage Collection Guidelines, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Leaf Collection Program, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Garbage Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2013, No. 9233 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.