Curbside Garbage Collection

The District operates a manual curbside collection system, which means collection crews physically lift and dispose of your garbage bags into the truck by hand.

Residents must ensure that their garbage is placed at the curbside in a proper container and/or standard-sized bag, meets weight restrictions and will not rip open when collecting.

The following are approved containment options to secure your garbage at the curb on your collection day:  

Please note, garbage limits differ for those receiving curbside green bin collection and those who don't. Bag limits are based on standard 75L garbage bags or 75L garbage cans.

Residents with curbside collection: 1 garbage bag weekly (summer) / 2 bags bi-weekly (winter) 

Resident privacy and safety is very important to us. With a clear bag collection program, you are able to have up to two (2) privacy bags inside each larger clear bag. Privacy bags are classified as smaller opaque bags that let you hide items you don’t want others to see. Keep it grocery bag-sized (no bigger than 20x20 inches). Only have a privacy bag? No problem, just tie it off and set it out on its own.

Curbside waste set out must:

• be securely bagged and tied shut,
• not exceed 25 kg / 55 lbs,
• bags must be standard, household sized garbage bags (no oversized or contractor bags),
• be set materials at the curb for 7 a.m.,
• not be set out before 7 p.m. the of night prior to your collection day, and
• collectors may be out collecting until 7 p.m., if your materials haven't been collected by that time, please bring them back inside and set them out again on your next scheduled collection day.

To help with extra holiday waste, you may set out one (1) additional clear, colourless garbage bag on your next collection day after these holidays:

New Years Day     Family Day       Easter

Victoria Day         Canada Day      Civic Holiday (August)

Labour Day          Thanksgiving    Christmas

Garbage Bag Tags are available for instances you may produce more garbage than normal. Garbage bag tags cost $8 each or five tags for $35. 
Garbage Bag Tags can be purchased from any transfer station.

A maximum of 10 tags (bags) are permitted for use, per garbage collection day. 

Garbage bag tags are intended for additional household bags of garbage, over and above your regular limit. We do not collect large items or appliances at the curb. 

The District of Muskoka is responsible for providing curbside collection to residential households.

Commercial properties who have the ability to adhere to the residential limit of curbside garbage limits and are on a current curbside collection route may be approved to take advantage of curbside collection.

Approved commercial locations can set out a maximum of two garbage bags weekly (summer) / four bags bi-weekly (winter) and a maximum of four blue boxes, pending eligibility review with MPAC and approval by the District.

Businesses are encouraged to contact local private waste management services that meet the waste diversion goals of your establishment, and can provide custom options to meet your needs. 

The District of Muskoka extends curbside collection to multi-residential buildings up to four units. 
For more information regarding waste management in multi-unit apartment and condominium buildings, please contact your landlord or property manager. 

Wondering what goes where? Use our Waste Wizard to learn where it goes.

Donations to charitable organizations, using buy-sell groups, etc. are a great way to avoid sending reusable items to our only landfill. Please consider donating or repurposing your items before disposing of them at a waste facility.

Clear Bag Program

Electronic Waste Guide

Green Bin Organics Guide

Household Hazardous Waste Guide 

One-page Waste Sorting Guide