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As we stay at home and put the health and safety of our community first, here are some waste management updates from the District you need to know this spring.
Weekly Garbage Collection Begins
Starting the week of May 2, 2021, garbage is collected every week. Blue box recycling and green bin (urban areas) continue to be collected weekly. There are no changes to your collection day.
To find your collection schedule, download a calendar and learn more, visit www.muskokarecycles.ca. Download our free Muskoka Recycles mobile app in the App Store or Google Play and enter your address to receive customized updates, alerts and reminders for your neighbourhood.
Leaf and Yard Waste Collection
Curbside leaf and yard waste collection is scheduled on May 1 and May 15, 2021 beginning at 8 am for urban households in the green bin service area. For more information on what we can collect, please visit muskokarecycles.ca or your Muskoka Recycles mobile app.
We compost in Muskoka! The District reminds residents that leaves are not collected as part of weekly curbside garbage limits. Making sure leaf and yard waste doesn’t enter the garbage is an important part of our waste management strategy to extend the life of our Rosewarne Landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on how to get rid of your leaves, please visit www.muskokarecycles.ca
7 am Collection – Crews are Starting a Bit Earlier!
Beginning Monday, May 31, 2021 crews will begin curbside collection at 7 am. We’re working closely with our contractor to find better and more efficient ways of getting your waste collected. We need your help!
On your collection day, please set materials at the curb for 7 am.
It has become necessary for crews to begin earlier as we are managing more garbage and recycling each week and more time is needed daily to complete routes. It is less busy in the early morning and drivers won’t need to compete with traffic and parked cars in our urban areas. An early start will also help on hot weather days – our drivers collect garbage manually and it’s cooler in the morning to get a head-start on their day.
A Better Blue Box Program
Our community should continue to sort their recycling (paper products and containers) as normal at the curb and when delivering recyclables to waste facilities.
In April, the District awarded a contract to GFL Environmental Inc. for the processing of Muskoka’s recyclables. “Processing” is sorting what we put in our blue boxes. GFL will use state-of-the-art, automated technology to sort materials so that what goes in our blue boxes is not sent to the landfill. This contract is set to save over $400,000 annually and our materials will continue to be sent to businesses across southern Ontario to be used again.
Residents will notice no change – but we are planning for Muskoka’s future and better ways to manage your waste. Need to know what goes where? Try our Waste Wizard available online and on our Muskoka Recycles free mobile app.
Compost Giveaway Events – Postponed
Each year around Earth Day, the District partners with our Area Municipalities throughout Muskoka and makes available compost to give away to residents. Given the recent stay-at-home order and provincial COVID situation, events have been postponed. Residents are encouraged to visit Muskoka’s town/township websites and watch for updates.
Waste Facilities Remain Open
We are pleased all waste facilities remain open. When visiting our drop-off sites, residents are urged to apply the same public health precautions/measures they would when using other open and available services during the pandemic. Here’s how you can help us:
- Please limit the number of trips to waste facilities (just like the grocery store) and use when essential.
- Avoid multiple trips and assess whether items can be stored for a future trip.
- Cashless (tap) payments are preferred.
- Reuse buildings are closed. Please explore alternative donation opportunities in our community or store these items until restrictions are lifted.
- We are limiting the amount of customers onsite at one time, wait times may be increased and we ask for your patience, understanding and respect to site attendants and staff onsite.
- Physical distancing is being enforced - wearing masks or face coverings may be an added way to protect others around you.
- Increased safety and instructional signage must be followed.
To learn more, please visit www.muskokarecycles.ca or download our Muskoka Recycles free mobile app.
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