Residential Yard Waste Sites

 The Yard Waste sites are self-serve sites for residential material only.

Where are the Residential Yard Waste Sites Located? 

Bridge Drive West Recycling Station: Located at the top of Bridge Dr. W. hill, right before the junction of Bridge Dr. W. and University Drive (look for the big green flag!)​

​Stafford Drive North Recycling Station: Located at the junction of Stafford Drive North and Scenic Drive North.

South Side Recycling Station: Located on 28th Ave S between the Lethbridge Soccer Complex and Lethbridge Judo Club.

When are the Residential Yard Waste Sites open? 
2023 Dates:  Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, November 19 

Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 days/week. 

What is accepted at the Yard Waste Site? 

Branches (max. 8" in diameter)

Grass

Leaves

Garden trimmings (including weeds)

 Clean pumpkins (not painted)

Fallen fruit (removed from tree branches)

What is not accepted at the Yard Waste Site?   

 Branches greater than 8 inches in diameter

 Branches longer than 6 feet

 Elm tree prunings*

 Sod and dirt

 Loose loads of leaves and grass

 Oversized bags larger than 30 gallons

 Loads containing garbage

 Dumped loads or hydraulic trailers

 Commercial vehicles

 Materials from eaves trough cleaning

 Roots balls and stumps

 Mixed loads

 Lumber and fence posts

These materials/loads may go to the Waste & Recycling Centre. Check out the free Saturdays program for residents!

During peak hours, large loads may be directed to the Waste & Recycling Centre if there is limited capacity at Yard Waste Sites.

*The City of Lethbridge, along with the Society to Prevent Dutch Elm Disease (STOPDED), encourages residents to pay close attention to the Provincial elm pruning ban which is in place between April 1st & September 30th. For more information on Lethbridge's Elm trees or on Dutch Elm Disease, click the links below. 

Can I bring yard waste in plastic bags?

Please bring bagged yard waste in paper bags. For a list of retailers that stock paper yard waste bags, click here. The site cannot accept any type of plastic bag, or oversize bags larger than 30 gallons due to safety concerns. Plastic bags are not compostable and material must be removed from all plastic. Un-bagging is time consuming and creates unnecessary plastic waste. As the sites are self-serve, unloading or un-bagging help is not provided.

Reminder:  Paper yard waste bags are designed to be 'rolled' or folded closed at the top. Please avoid using any tape or staples to close paper bags, as these materials are not compostable and will not break down.

What will happen if my load is unacceptable?

When you bring an unacceptable load, you may be redirected to the Waste & Recycling Centre.

Do I have other options to remove yard waste from my property?

1. Materials can be hauled to the Waste & Recycling Centre (formerly called Regional Landfill). Tipping fees may apply. Large branches, root balls, and sod are accepted at this site.
2. Utility account holders are eligible for two Large Item Service collections (curbside pick-ups of large or bulky items per year at no charge). Anyone wishing to use this service for branches or other items must speak with a scheduler to arrange the details of the collection. 

What happens to my yard waste?

Grass, leaves, branches and other yard waste is brought to the Waste & Recycling Centre to be mulched and  composted and used in city parks and planting beds. Composting helps to extend the life of the landfill. Composting also reduced the production of greenhouse gases in the landfill and allows the nutrients to return to the soil and be used for new plant growth. The extra mulch is available for residents to take.