As of April 1, the City of Hamilton is no longer accepting leaf and yard waste — including grass clippings — in green bins.

Residents are asked to place all leaf and yard waste, including grass clippings, in a brown paper yard waste bag or an open top-rigid reusable container marked with a free yard waste sticker for weekly collection. Reusable containers may include bins or garbage cans without a lid. City-issued green bins or blue boxes are not acceptable containers for yard waste.

The city says the change is necessary to keep ammonia — a potential contributor to poor air quality — out of its central composting facility.

Green bins should only be used for food scraps and soiled paper products, like napkins and pizza boxes.