The City of Cornwall collected 1,366 tonnes of leaf and yard waste in 2012, a 40% increase over the previous year.
A total of 804 tonnes was picked up through the extended spring and fall leaf and yard waste collections this year, and an additional 562 tonnes was dropped off at the City’s leaf disposal site at the City Landfill.

 
By comparison, the City collected 976 tonnes in 2011 – 437 tonnes through curbside collection and 539 tonnes in drop-offs.
“As the numbers show, the decision to extend our curbside leaf and yard waste collection was a good one,” said Mayor Bob Kilger. “Our goal was to divert even more organic waste by providing a larger window of opportunity for residents to participate in the leaf and yard waste program, and we’ve accomplished that.”

 
The leaf and yard waste collection was extended to 16 weeks in 2012 and coincided with the introduction of weekly recycling collection.

 
“These two measures are helping us achieve our overall goal of increasing recycling rates and diverting more waste from the City Landfill,” said Nicole Robertson, Solid Waste Supervisor.

The leaf and yard waste is unloaded at the Landfill site where it will be turned over to create a rich compost material that is offered to residents free of charge for use in their gardens. This helps return the nutrients from the leaves back into the soil, completing nature’s own cycle. The compost material is available for pick-up throughout the year.
In addition, the City partners with the Cornwall and District Horticultural Society to host a Bark and Compost Day fundraiser each spring, with the funds going to support various beautification projects throughout the community.