Keep food and organic waste out of the garbage
Help save the life of our landfill
By using your green bin, backyard composter or delivering organics to any District transfer station, you're helping reduce the amount of waste sent to our landfill. Changes in the way we manage waste and divert materials from the Rosewarne Landfill, including food and organic waste, will bring long-lasting benefits to our community.
- Collection Details: green bin collection occurs weekly, year-round, maintaining frequency even when bi-weekly garbage collection takes effect during winter.
- With the introduction of curbside green bin collection, the weekly garbage limit is one bag per household per week, and two bi-weekly in the winter.
- If you misplaced your Green Bin Welcome Letter, you can read it on this page or in the Resource section below.
- Drop-off Details: Residents without curbside green bin collection are encouraged to bring their organic material to any transfer station to help keep this divertible material out of the landfill.
| Why is it important to keep food and organic waste out of the garbage? |
| By keeping food and organic waste out of your garbage, you: 1. Reduce the garbage you produce at home.
2. Protect our only landfill in Muskoka.
3. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Help create a valuable resource.
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| Industrial, commercial and institutional properties |
| Organics originating from an industrial, commercial or institutional property aren't acceptable for drop-off at District of Muskoka waste facilities. Please contact a private waste collector for service. |
Need a green bin?
If you require a new green bin, we're here to help - fill out our Green Bin Request Form.
If you need to replace a broken green bin, one can be purchased for the at cost price (currently $24.81) at any transfer station. For a list of locations and hours visit our Drop-off Locations and Landfill page.
What goes in?
✔️ Food waste:
Baked goods, bones (cooked), cereal, coffee grounds - filters, dairy products, eggs and egg shells, flour and grains, fruit and vegetables, grease and cooking oil, leftovers, meat (cooked), nuts, pasta and rice, plate scrapings and sauces.
✔️Soiled paper and other items:
Cotton balls, facial tissues, greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, popcorn bags, napkins, plates and shredded paper.
If using a liner or bag - use only certified compostable liners or kraft paper bags. No plastic bags. Bags must be in a green bin for collection, not a kitchen catcher.
What stays out?
❌ No kitty litter, no raw meat, no pet waste, no diapers, no plastic, no styrofoam.
Do not line your compost bin or kitchen catcher with plastic bags. Compost bags must be used.
| Not sure where it goes? Use our Waste Wizard |
| Find out what goes where - type in any item and find out where it goes. Try our online Waste Wizard or download our Muskoka Recycles app in the App Store or Google Play. |
| Resources |
Free AA-grade compost available
Thanks to growing community participation in the green bin program, more food and yard waste is being diverted from landfill than ever before and helping to create an abundant supply of nutrient-rich, AA-grade compost.
This high-quality compost is made right here in Muskoka from the organic waste you place in your green bin. It’s now available at no charge to residents at the Beiers Transfer Station and Rosewarne Landfill.
Bring your own shovel and container and help yourself to this free, sustainable resource. It’s just one of the many ways your everyday actions are making a real difference.
Compost will be re-stocked as it's made available.
FAQs
| Isn’t it good for landfills to have food waste and other organics to help break down other waste? |
| No. It’s a myth that food and organic waste is good for landfills. Organic materials such as food waste and leaves do not compost in the landfill but eventually rot and produce methane. Methane is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Keeping organic material out of the landfill not only helps us meet our climate change goals but we can produce a valuable soil amendment right here in Muskoka at two local composting facilities. |
| Do I receive curbside green bin organics collection? |
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Organics collection is available to residential households in Bracebridge, Huntsville and urban areas of the District. We are working to expand the green bin organics collection program to all residents in Muskoka. Please visit our Find Your Collection Schedule – if your collection day shows a Green Bin, you are within the green bin service area and receive weekly curbside green bin organics collection. We will continue the green bin expansion to other rural area communities as part of our waste strategy. In the meantime, green bin organics can be delivered to any District transfer station at no charge. Material must be a certified compostable bag or can be dumped out of a container. Please don't use plastic bags. |
| How do I get a green bin? |
| If you require a new green bin, we're here to help - fill out our Green Bin Request Form. Green bins can also be purchased for the at cost price (currently $24.81) at any transfer station. For a list of locations and hours visit our Drop-off Locations and Landfill page. |
| What do I do if I don't receive curbside green bin collection? |
| All residents can deliver their organic waste to any District Transfer Station for free. |
| What can I use to deliver organics to a District Transfer Station? |
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We encourage the use of any tote, bin or basket to deliver organics to a District Transfer Station. We recommend using compostable liners or paper bags to prevent spills and messes. If you are in the Green Bin organics collection area and receive curbside collection, only curbside Green Bins can be used for collection. |
| What do you do with organics? |
| Green bin material and the organics collected from drop-offs at transfer stations are taken to our Gravenhurst Composting Facility to be turned into compost, where the nutrients are saved and can be used as a soil amendment. |
| When are Compost Giveaway events scheduled? |
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Compost Giveaway events are scheduled by each Town/Township around Earth Day each year. Stay tuned for updates on your local municipal website for events near you. The District provides compost at its Beiers Transfer Station and Rosewarne Landfill, after donating compost to area municipalities for their Earth Day events and piles have been replenished. |
| Why is saving landfill space important? |
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Landfill capacity is declining in Ontario – the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) estimates that Ontario’s landfills will reach capacity by 2034 – and municipalities throughout the province are diligently focused on minimizing garbage, diverting food and organic waste, and seeking new ways to divert waste such as construction and demolition materials. The projections indicate that preparation for increased growth within the District can be offset at this time by a commitment to increasing diversion – targeting garbage will increase the landfill life by a number of years. |
| How do I prevent odours? |
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Lining your bin with a compostable bag or kraft paper bag helps reduce messes and reduce odours. If using a green bin for curbside collection, or using a similar tote for delivery to a District Transfer Station, empty whichever kitchen container you use frequently and wash it with hot water. Spraying the inside with vinegar or sprinkling some baking soda will help odours too. Placing a few sheets of newspaper or a soiled paper egg carton will absorb excess moisture that can trap and cultivate odour-causing bacteria. If you have curbside collection, set your green bin out each week - even if it isn't full. Organics are collected every week, year-round on curbside collection routes. |
| How do I prevent fruit flies? |
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Wrapping food waste will help prevent the appearance of fruit flies. To capture fruit flies, put a bit of apple cider vinegar in a bowl or cup and cover with plastic wrap, then poke a few holes in the wrap with a toothpick. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, but won’t be able to escape once inside the container. |
| What if I compost in my backyard? |
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Don’t stop! This program complements your home composting by collecting organics that take too long to decompose or produce odours in a backyard composter, such as meats, dairy products and cooking oils. |
| I have more questions. |
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We're here to help. Please contact us at waste@muskoka.on.ca or by telephone at 705-645-2100. |