Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and recycling collection services in the Township of Muskoka Lakes are provided by the District Municipality of Muskoka.

Services

The District provides our residents with a number of waste services, including:

• Garbage
• Green Bin
• Hazardous and Electronic Waste
• Landfill and Transfer Sites
• Leaf and Yard Waste
• Recycling

Effective November 19, 2024, The District Municipality of Muskoka’s curbside recycling program will be under the management of CM. With this transition, non-residential properties will no longer be eligible for curbside recycling service, outside of designated Downtown/Main Street area routes. These sources are “non-eligible” under the Blue Box Regulation (Ontario Regulation 391/21) and will no longer receive curbside collection for recycling. Non-eligible sources include the following:

• All private sector businesses
• Place of worship
• Daycares
• Campgrounds (without households)
• Public facing and internal areas of municipal buildings/facilities (e.g., libraries, arenas)
• Not-for-profit organizations (e.g., shelters, food-banks)

If you have missed collection or have any questions about recycling contact GFL. 

A comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions resource has been prepared and is available at the following link www.muskoka.on.ca/blue-box-transition.

Curbside Green Bin Collection is Expanding! 

• What’s Expanding? All year-round roads with driveway pickup across Muskoka Lakes are now receiving green bin organics collection at their driveway with the expansion of the District of Muskoka’s green bin organics collection service.
• If you live on a seasonal road, or use a Common Collection Point (CPP) collection, green bin expansion is coming early 2025 and the District will share more details in the new year.
• Why It Matters: Diverting food waste to your Green Bin instead of the garbage is a simple step that dramatically benefits our environment in Muskoka. It will reduce the amount of waste going into our only landfill, and prevent harmful greenhouse gases.
• Collection Details: Green Bin collection occurs weekly, year-round, maintaining frequency even when bi-weekly garbage collection takes effect during winter.

If you haven't received a Green Bin yet and you’re in a year-round collection area, please email waste@muskoka.on.ca with your address.  

Drop-Off Organics

All transfer stations in the District 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.

Contact the District for more information on Waste Management or visit the District's website.