Proper Yard Waste Disposal Practices Reminder

Cobourg, ON (September 17, 2026) – The Town of Cobourg Environmental Services Department would like to remind the community of the importance of proper yard waste disposal options.

Dumping yard waste into waterbodies can have significant negative impacts on the ecosystem. Decomposing yard waste and leaf litter releases excess nutrients into waterbodies, leading to algal blooms that can be toxic to humans and animals. Waterbodies oxygen levels are depleted by algal blooms and can negatively impact aquatic life and disrupt the balance of our community’s ecosystem.

Safe Yard Waste Disposal Options
To help keep our community’s ecosystem safe, consider the following options when disposing of your yard waste:

• Mulch leaves to use as fertilizer in your garden
• Leave a reasonable amount of leaves and grass clippings where they are, they can help fertilize your yard and improve water retention to keep your soil moist and healthy
• Collect grass clippings and leaves and dispose of them in your home compost bin away from any waterbodies
• Collect leaves, grass clippings, and brush in designated paper yard waste bags and follow the Northumberland County schedule for free pickup on collection weeks

Improper Yard Waste Disposal
When collecting and disposing of yard waste keep the following in mind:

• Do not put grass clippings, leaves, or other yard waste on roads. This can be a safety hazard for motorists and is prohibited under the Town of Cobourg Brush and Leaf Collection Programs By-law (069-2014)
• Do not put grass clippings, leaves, or any other yard waste directly into creeks, rivers, lakes, or anywhere that they can make their way into a waterbody via a storm sewer catch basin

For more information on yard waste collection dates, set-out requirements, and acceptable materials, visit the Northumberland County website.