New, bold initiatives are needed as we build a better waste management system for Muskoka.
Top-performing municipalities in Ontario are successfully reusing, recycling and composting materials that would otherwise be buried in the landfill and are diverting more than 60 per cent of their waste. Muskoka has a 35 per cent waste diversion rate – we have a lot of work to do.
By working together we can bring positive change to Muskoka’s environment by managing our waste better.
During consultation on the District’s Waste Strategy, residents consistently relayed messages regarding the importance of caring for Muskoka’s environment and support for reducing garbage. 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.
Muskoka's roadmap to 60 per cent waste diversion - what's changing?
2023 waste fee changes
As we work together to reach our diversion targets, beginning on March 1, 2023, residents can:
- Deliver one clear bag of diapers or incontinence products at no charge per week to any transfer station;
- Purchase bag tags at a discounted price when purchased in bulk – five tags for $35. Bag tags can be purchased from any of the District transfer stations;
- Set out one extra standard-size garbage bag for curbside collection on your regular collection day after Victoria Day, Canada Day, the Civic holiday, and Labour Day long weekends.
We’re still working toward our 60 per cent waste diversion goal and need your help to get there. Learn what material is acceptable in the blue box or green bin or download the Muskoka Recycles app on your phone and use the waste wizard to learn what goes where.
Read our press release: Changes coming to Muskoka's waste fees
Mixed blue box recycling
All recyclable materials accepted in the blue box that previously needed to be sorted into “papers” and “containers,” can now be mixed together in the same blue box or similar container.
The District now sends recyclables to a state-of-the-art facility that can effectively sort this material.
For more information on District recycling, visit our Recycle Right page.
Garbage bag limit reduction
Curbside collection
In November 2022, the curbside garbage bag limit was reduced by one (1) bag weekly / two (2) bags bi-weekly in the winter.
- If you receive green bin collection your limit will be two (2) garbage bags bi-weekly (1 bag weekly in the summer).
- If you do not receive green bin collection your limit will be four (4) garbage bags bi-weekly (2 bags weekly in the summer) .
To learn more about curbside garbage - setout instructions, weight limits, and what we collect at the curb, please visit our curbside garbage collection page.
Drop-off garbage
In April, 2022 - the “no charge” garbage bag limit at District waste facilities was reduced to two (2) bags weekly. To learn more about our drop-off locations and fees please visit our drop-off and locations page.
Green bin organics collection – transfer stations
All transfer stations in the District now have innovative in-ground organics collection containers. Residents without curbside green bin / organic collection are encouraged to bring their organic material to any transfer station to help keep this divertible material out of the landfill.
For more information on what can and can't go in the organic waste stream visit our green bin organics collection page.
Curbside green bin expansion
Starting in November 2022, year-round Huntsville residents who receive curbside collection but were not in the green bin area will now receive curbside organics collection.
This is just the beginning. More communities will be added to the program each year as this important diversion program is expanded throughout the District.
For more information on our curbside green bin expansion in Huntsville, visit the Green Bin Organics Collection page.
New curbside collection contractor - GFL
Starting in November 2022, GFL Environmental will be providing curbside garbage, recycling, and green bin collection services throughout the District. At this time, there will be no changes to your regular collection day, however your collection time may change and all material must be out by 7 a.m.
We ask that all residents be patient as GFL familiarize themselves with our unique communities.
If you experience missed collection please report it via our online reporting tool, email waste@muskoka.on.ca or call 705-645-2100.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Why are garbage bag limits changing? |
| Reducing what we throw away today will be critical to extending the life of Muskoka’s one remaining landfill and ensuring secure, long-term disposal. Currently, most of the waste we collect in Muskoka is going to landfill. Our diversion rate is 35 per cent – meaning that for every 100 tonnes of waste we collect, 65 tonnes of that is land filled. We have a lot of catching up to do as many municipalities throughout the province are diverting more – with diversion rates over 60 per cent. |
| Why do we need to save landfill space? |
| Landfill capacity is declining in Ontario. The Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) estimates that Ontario’s landfills will reach capacity by 2034. Municipalities throughout the province are diligently focused on minimizing garbage, diverting food and organic waste, and seeking new ways to divert materials to extend this capacity and secure future disposal. Changes we make today in Muskoka will increase the life of our last local landfill – and ensure we have disposal capacity. |
| How can I reduce my weekly garbage? |
| Participating in Muskoka’s many waste diversion programs – including blue box recycling, green bin organics, e-waste recycling and re-use – is an important way to reduce garbage and help us meet our 60 per cent diversion goal. Food waste makes up a lot of what we throw out and by using the green bin program, we can reduce our garbage significantly. Watching what we buy is also important – remember to look for reduced packaging and goods that are recyclable. If you’re not sure where something goes, try our online Waste Wizard to learn what goes where or download the Muskoka Recycles App. The app is also a great tool for collection updates and special event day reminders including leaf and yard waste and household hazardous waste days. |
| Won’t this just increase illegal dumping in Muskoka? |
|
Illegal dumping is a frustrating behaviour and, unfortunately, is not isolated to Muskoka. There is simply no excuse for it – and the District encourages anyone who encounters dumping to report it. The District offers one of Ontario's most convenient and comprehensive waste collection programs that includes extensive curbside collection, 10 transfer stations (with most open seven days/week, year-round), three waste depots and Lakeside Waste Collection events. In addition to the generous collection opportunities, there are no tipping fees associated with two bags of drop-off household garbage each week or the delivery of divertible items such as blue box recycling, food and organic waste, leaf and yard trimmings, scrap metal, tires, e-waste or appliances. |
| Doesn’t food waste just compost in the landfill? |
| No. 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. |
| Does recycling still need to be sorted into two boxes? |
| No. Recycling in Muskoka no longer needs to be sorted into paper and containers. Our recyclable materials are now sent to a state-of-the-art processing facility that can effectively sort mixed recycling. Paper and containers can now be placed in the same box or similar container. Using just one box or container for all your recyclable items increases the ease and convenience of recycling and allows it to be collected efficiently. |
| I see garbage, recycling and/or green bin material going into one truck. Is it all going to landfill? |
| No. Our curbside contractor has some collection trucks with two compartments. Often, you will see drivers place garbage in one compartment and divertible materials (recycling or green bin organics) in another. These materials are dropped off separately at the end of the day. Garbage is brought to the landfill, recycling to our transfer station and organics to one of our two composting facilities. |
| Do I receive curbside green bin organics collection? |
| Organics collection is available to residential households in the urban areas of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Port Carling, Bala, Port Severn and MacTier. This fall, we are expanding to areas outside the urban area of Huntsville. Stay tuned for more information about expansion to other rural area communities as part of our waste strategy. Please visit our Find Your Collection Schedule page for more information – if your collection day indicates “Green Bin,” you are within the green bin service area and receive weekly curbside green bin organics collection.
Green bin organics can also be delivered to any District transfer station at no charge. |