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.
| 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: Reduce the garbage you produce at home
Protect our only landfill in Muskoka
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Help create a valuable resource
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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.
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. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us at waste@muskoka.on.ca so we can help. |
| Resources |
| Download our PDF rack card, which includes a list of what goes in and what stays out of your organics bin. |
FAQ's
| 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 material put into the landfill has a significant environmental impact. When organics (such as apple cores, orange peels, other food waste, leaves, etc.) decompose, methane is released – a harmful greenhouse gas which contributes to Climate Change. |
| Do I receive curbside green bin organics collection? |
| Organics collection is available to residential households only in the urban areas of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Port Carling, Bala, Port Severn and MacTier. Stay tuned for more information about expansion to rural area communities. Visit our Find Your Collection Schedule page - if your collection day shows green bin collection, you are within the Green Bin service area and receive weekly green bin organics collection. For more information, please contact our office by email at waste@muskoka.on.ca or telephone at 705-645-6764 with your address and details |
| 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? |
| 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. Do you have a unique way you are delivering your material? Tell us about it!
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? |
| 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. |
| Why is saving landfill space important? |
| 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 705-645-6764. |