In Calgary, yard waste pickup for most households means the green cart. It takes leaves, grass clippings and small garden trimmings, alongside food scraps. When a job outgrows the cart, such as a full garden clear-out, a fallen tree, old shrubs or landscape debris, you need a landfill trip or a yard waste removal service. Here is how each works and what it costs.
Green cart yard waste pickup schedule
- April to October: green carts are collected weekly.
- November to March: green carts are collected every other week.
Find your collection day with the cart schedule lookup on calgary.ca or the Calgary Garbage Day app. For black and blue cart schedules, see our Calgary garbage pickup guide.
What goes in the green cart
Leaves, grass, plant trimmings, small branches cut to fit, flowers and weeds, and food scraps. Keep out soil, sod, rocks, large branches and treated or painted wood. Those need another disposal route.
When the green cart is not enough
The cart works for weekly maintenance, not projects. Common overflow jobs include:
- Fall leaf clean-ups with dozens of bags
- Pruning hedges and trees, and removing shrubs
- Storm damage and fallen branches
- Garden and landscape renovations: old sod, edging, planters and landscape debris
- Old fencing, decking or a rotted garden shed
Option 1: City drop-off (seasonal free dates and $50/tonne)
City of Calgary landfills accept yard waste at $50 per tonne (2026 residential rate). The City also runs free fall and spring yard waste drop-off on specified dates, and accepts Christmas trees free during set dates in winter. Check calgary.ca for current dates and which sites take part.
Option 2: Yard waste removal services
Yard waste removal services send a crew to bag, load and haul everything, including bulky branches and debris piles. They are priced like other junk removal, mostly by truck volume. Published Calgary prices we reviewed in October 2026 run about $149–$199 for a quarter load and $200–$300 for a half load. Soil, sod, rock and concrete are heavy, so many haulers price them separately or exclude them. Always mention them. These are market ranges; your hauler confirms your price.
Tips to keep the price down
- Put what fits in the green cart over a few weeks
- Use free seasonal drop-off dates if you have a vehicle
- Cut long branches down and pile everything in one place near the driveway or alley
- Combine yard debris with other junk (an old BBQ, patio furniture) in a single load
Landscape debris and heavier materials
Landscape debris removal is a separate category because it is heavy. Old pavers, retaining-wall blocks, gravel and soil can push a truck to its weight limit while it is still half empty. If your project includes these, ask for a heavy-material price, or see construction debris removal.
Yard waste removal across Calgary and area
Requests are accepted from Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere. Towns outside Calgary run their own organics programs, so check local cart and drop-off rules. Clearing out a shed or garage at the same time? See our garage cleanout guide and the full price guide.
Frequently asked questions
How often is yard waste picked up in Calgary?
Green carts, which take yard waste and food scraps, are collected weekly from April to October and every other week from November to March. Check your exact day at calgary.ca or in the Calgary Garbage Day app.
Where can I take large amounts of yard waste?
City landfills accept yard waste at $50/tonne (2026), and the City offers free yard waste drop-off on specified dates in spring and fall. Christmas trees are also accepted free during set dates.
Do junk removal services take yard waste?
Yes. Haulers take branches, leaves, shrubs and garden debris. Soil, sod, rock and concrete are heavy, so many price those separately or exclude them. Mention them in your request.