Frequently Asked Questions

Collection Calendar
Waste Drop-Off Locations

What do I do if I think I was missed?
If your material is still at the curb later than 7:00 pm on your regular collection day, please check www.muskokarecycles.ca for more information or check your Muskoka Recycles app notifications for delays. We ask residents to set material back out at the curb the next business day, prior to 8:00 am as crews will attempt to return. (if your regular collection day is on Friday, set material back out on Monday morning). Report Missed Collection
Winter set-out reminders
Set material at the curb on the morning of your collection day before 8:00 am. This will prevent overnight snow cover – snow covered material could lead to missed collection due to visibility. Do not place garbage bags, blue boxes or green bins on-top of snowbanks. Consider shoveling a spot at the curb or place your containers/bags in your driveway. Ensure your material is well out of the way of snow and sidewalk plows. After collection occurs, bring your containers in as soon as possible. This will prevent containers and bins from blowing onto the street and into ditches, or being hit by snow and sidewalk plows. If using a roadside bin, it must accessible and clear of snow and ice. Passing snowplows often bury access to roadside bins. A clear path must be maintained so crews can collect safely and without snowbank obstacles – please make sure lids and latches are not frozen.
How much does it cost to dispose of furniture and other items?
Fees for the use of Solid Waste Disposal Sites are set out in By-Law 2020-44, as amended. 2021 Disposal Fees
I live on a year-round route. What are my curbside bi-weekly garbage limits in the winter?
Urban area residents on year-round collection routes: - up to 4 bags of household bagged garbage (bi-weekly) - unlimited sorted recycling - green bin organics Rural area residents on year-round collection routes: - up to 6 bags of household bagged garbage (bi-weekly) - unlimited sorted recycling Garbage Collection
I live on a seasonal road. What do I do with my garbage?
Weekly limits of garbage, recycling and organics can be delivered to any licensed waste facility at no charge. Summer curbside collection routes will resume the week of May 3, 2021. In some communities, winter common collection points have been established through an approval process with District. For more information, please contact the District of Muskoka’s Waste Management Department at 705-645-6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca
My bin site did not return. What do I do with my garbage?
At the direction of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), all of Muskoka’s unlicensed bin sites will be transitioned to alternate waste collection service by April 2023. For more information on our Bin Site Transition Plan and to find more about waste collection alternatives for your community, please visit www.EngageMuskoka.ca Many of Muskoka’s bin sites are for summer service only and will be returned in May as we consult with communities on the plan for their permanent transition. Information on individual sites can be found at www.EnageMuskoka.ca
When does weekly garbage collection begin?
Weekly garbage collection resumes the week of May 3, 2021. This information and more can be found when you Find Your Collection Schedule.
Where can I find my collection schedule? Can I get a calendar?
Collection schedules for your community can be found online at www.muskokarecycles.ca or via the Muskoka Recycles Mobile App. If you don’t have access to a computer or smartphone and would like a printed version mailed, please contact the District of Muskoka’s Waste Management Department at 705-645-6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca
I use a roadside bin in the winter – what do I need to do to receive collection in the winter?
A clear path to the bin must be maintained (shoveled) to ensure safe access and bin visibility. Please ensure the lid is clear of snow and the latches/lid is not frozen shut. If storing recycling inside of the bin, it must be sorted and in clear plastic bags. If using blue boxes, they must be placed outside of the bin as to not create spillage/overflow.

What do I do if I think I was missed?

If your material is still at the curb later than 7:00 pm on your regular collection day, please check www.muskokarecycles.ca for more information or check your Muskoka Recycles app notifications for delays. We ask residents to set material back out at the curb the next business day, prior to 8:00 am as crews will attempt to return. (if your regular collection day is on Friday, set material back out on Monday morning).

Report Missed Collection

Winter set-out reminders

Set material at the curb on the morning of your collection day before 8:00 am.
This will prevent overnight snow cover – snow covered material could lead to missed collection due to visibility.

Do not place garbage bags, blue boxes or green bins on-top of snowbanks.
Consider shoveling a spot at the curb or place your containers/bags in your driveway. Ensure your material is well out of the way of snow and sidewalk plows.

After collection occurs, bring your containers in as soon as possible.
This will prevent containers and bins from blowing onto the street and into ditches, or being hit by snow and sidewalk plows.

If using a roadside bin, it must accessible and clear of snow and ice.
Passing snowplows often bury access to roadside bins. A clear path must be maintained so crews can collect safely and without snowbank obstacles – please make sure lids and latches are not frozen.

How much does it cost to dispose of furniture and other items?

Fees for the use of Solid Waste Disposal Sites are set out in By-Law 2020-44, as amended.

2021 Disposal Fees

I live on a year-round route. What are my curbside bi-weekly garbage limits in the winter?

Urban area residents on year-round collection routes:
- up to 4 bags of household bagged garbage (bi-weekly)
- unlimited sorted recycling
- green bin organics

Rural area residents on year-round collection routes:
- up to 6 bags of household bagged garbage (bi-weekly)
- unlimited sorted recycling

Garbage Collection

I live on a seasonal road. What do I do with my garbage?

Weekly limits of garbage, recycling and organics can be delivered to any licensed waste facility at no charge.

Summer curbside collection routes will resume the week of May 3, 2021.

In some communities, winter common collection points have been established through an approval process with District. For more information, please contact the District of Muskoka’s Waste Management Department at 705-645-6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

My bin site did not return. What do I do with my garbage?

At the direction of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), all of Muskoka’s unlicensed bin sites will be transitioned to alternate waste collection service by April 2023. For more information on our Bin Site Transition Plan and to find more about waste collection alternatives for your community, please visit www.EngageMuskoka.ca

Many of Muskoka’s bin sites are for summer service only and will be returned in May as we consult with communities on the plan for their permanent transition. Information on individual sites can be found at www.EnageMuskoka.ca

When does weekly garbage collection begin?

Weekly garbage collection resumes the week of May 3, 2021. This information and more can be found when you Find Your Collection Schedule.

Where can I find my collection schedule? Can I get a calendar?

Collection schedules for your community can be found online at www.muskokarecycles.ca or via the Muskoka Recycles Mobile App. If you don’t have access to a computer or smartphone and would like a printed version mailed, please contact the District of Muskoka’s Waste Management Department at 705-645-6764 or publicworks@muskoka.on.ca

I use a roadside bin in the winter – what do I need to do to receive collection in the winter?

A clear path to the bin must be maintained (shoveled) to ensure safe access and bin visibility. Please ensure the lid is clear of snow and the latches/lid is not frozen shut. If storing recycling inside of the bin, it must be sorted and in clear plastic bags. If using blue boxes, they must be placed outside of the bin as to not create spillage/overflow.

Garbage and Recycling-Frequently Asked Questions