Leaf and Yard Waste

We compost in Muskoka. Leaves are not collected at the curb as part of curbside garbage limits.

Making sure leaf and yard waste material doesn’t enter the garbage is an important part of the District of Muskoka’s waste management strategy to extend the life of our Rosewarne Landfill.

When buried in the landfill, leaves create methane (a greenhouse gas) as they break down. Diverting this material allows us to create valuable compost, used as a soil amendment, and give it back to residents at no charge.

Leaf and yard waste is collected at the curb four times annually - twice in the spring and twice in the fall.

2026 Collection Days: Urban Households

Curbside leaf and yard waste collection is set for the weeks of May 11, May 25, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 for residents in urban areas. If you don't reside in an urban area, or miss the collection dates, all residents can deliver leaf and yard waste for no charge to any of our transfer stations during operating hours.

Please note, material must be set at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of the scheduled week and remain there for that week until it's collected. Collection will occur at some point during the week, not necessarily on your regular collection day. Collection will only occur once during the dedicated weeks for each road.

Some easy ways to get rid of your leaves

Urban areas: Bag them in paper leaf bags and put them to the curb on scheduled collection days in the spring and fall for curbside collection.
In the fall, leave your leaves. Mulch leaves and leave them on the lawn for healthy grass next summer.
If you live in a rural area and don't receive leaf and yard waste curbside collection, deliver residential leaf and yard waste to a licensed waste facility at no charge. Chippable wood/brush are subject to current tipping fees found here.

Acceptable containers

Kraft paper bags are ideal and designed for leaf and yard waste material.
Reusable containers such as tote bins or open-top containers that can be dumped and left behind are acceptable. Please watch the container weight.
Our crews manually lift your leaf and yard waste - maximum weight per yard waste bag/container and its contents must not exceed 20 kg (44 lbs). Includes bundled branches/twigs.

Set-out requirements

Place paper yard waste bags/containers and bundles at the curb by 7 a.m. on scheduled leaf and yard waste scheduled collection days only. Leaf and yard waste is not collected as part of normal garbage limits.
Do not place yard waste containers/bags or bundles on the roadway or blocking the sidewalk as it may pose as a hazard to vehicular traffic and other residents. Proper placement will also help avoid damage to containers/bags and will reduce interference.
Keep yard waste containers/bags and bundles separate from your neighbours.
Crews manually lift your leaf and yard waste. Help crews by not overfilling paper bags/containers.

Report missed collection

Missed Collection Form