Holiday Waste Guide

Changes coming to waste collection this holiday season

Holiday waste schedule

This holiday season, there will be a temporary shift in curbside collection days over the holiday weeks.
Waste collection will move one day later during the weeks of Christmas day and New Year's day, for all residents whose collection days are Thursdays and Fridays. There will be no curbside collection on Christmas Day 2025 or New Year's Day 2026.

Please check your collection schedule online or in the Muskoka Waste app to confirm your pickup day during these weeks.

All residents are encouraged to stay informed through the Muskoka Waste app or the website for the latest updates on waste collection and facility hours.

Holiday facility hours

All waste facilities will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Winter hours are available on our Drop-off Location and Landfill page.

Tools for staying updated

Download the Muskoka Waste app for real-time updates, service alerts and reminders delivered to your phone including collection delays due to severe weather. The app is available on Android and Apple devices.
If you don't have a smart phone visit our Collection Impacts and Delays page for detailed information.

Christmas tree collection and disposal

Residents in Muskoka's urban areas can set their real Christmas tree at the curb for collection the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 12, 2026.

Place the tree out by 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5 or Monday, Jan. 12. Collection will occur at some point during the week, not necessarily on your regular collection day.
If you reside outside of an urban area, real Christmas trees can be delivered to any participating transfer station free of charge in January and February. Please ensure your local drop-off facility is accepting Christmas trees by checking our transfer station page.
If you're unsure whether you reside in an urban or rural area, please check your collection calendar. If you're in an urban area there will be a notification icon in the calendar.

Disposal guidelines

Remove all nails and decorations (ornaments, tinsel, lights) prior to disposal.
Remove tree stands and bags.
Don't place trees on top of, inside or behind a snowbank. Collection staff will not dig through snow or climb a snowbank to retrieve a tree.
Trees must not be greater than 7 ft. in height. Please cut in two if tree exceeds this height.

Winter curbside collection tips

If winter weather delays collection, updates will be posted at www.muskokawaste.ca and on our Muskoka Waste app.
Set material out before 7 a.m. on the morning of collection to prevent overnight snow cover. Snow-covered material could lead to missed collection due to poor visibility.
Don’t place material on top of snowbanks. Material placed on a snowbank presents an unsafe, awkward reach and cannot be collected. Instead, clear an area, without blocking the sidewalk, to the side of your driveway or place your containers/bags in your driveway. Ensure the placement of your material does not interfere with snow removal equipment.
Bring in your empty containers as soon as possible.
If using a roadside bin, it must be clear of snow and ice – please make sure lids and latches are not frozen. A clear path must be maintained so crews can collect material safely.

Winter curbside FAQs

What do I do if I think my collection was missed this winter

We remind residents that material must be at the curb no later than 7 a.m. as routes may be collected at different times. We ask residents for their patience and understanding as crews may be on the roads as late as 7 p.m. in the evening completing routes.

If your material is still at the curb later than 7 p.m. on your regular collection day, please check www.muskokawaste.ca or check your Muskoka Waste app notifications for delays and collection impacts. We ask residents to set material back out at the curb the next business day, prior to 7 a.m. as crews will attempt to return. (If your regular collection day is on Friday, set material back out on Monday morning unless directed otherwise.)

We encourage all residents to register for our Muskoka Waste app to receive notifications on winter collection impacts and possible missed collections in your neighbourhood. Please note, the app is for single-family residences.

I live on a seasonal road without curbside collection, 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 first week of May 4, 2026.

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

A clear path to the bin must be maintained (shoveled) to ensure safe access for our curbside drivers and bin visibility. Please ensure the lid is clear of snow and the latches/lid are not frozen shut.

If storing recycling inside of the bin, it must be in translucent blue plastic bags. If using blue boxes, they must be placed outside of the bin as to not create spillage/overflow. Please ensure garbage or recycling bags aren't placed on top of each other where one may be hidden from view. Place bags beside each other inside the bin.