Clear bag compliance next for District garbage collection

Community participation is 75% for the new initiative

The District of Muskoka is moving forward with compliance phase of clear bag program.

Bracebridge Deputy Mayor, Brenda Rhodes, made the in this month’s Council meeting, on August 13^th, indicating the program will no longer be in the public education phase.

Rhodes praised the success of the program so far, indicating an 80% increase in organic collection, saying “good job” to those participating in the program in the District and Bracebridge.

The program is a part of the District’s Solid Waste Master Plan.

On their Engage Muskoka page they announced, “Muskoka has made great strides in extending the life of its only landfill. But the question remains: How much more can we do and how far are we willing to go?”

The clear bag program started last March for curbside pick up and will begin in 2026 for waste facilities.

They add, “A clear bag program supports diversion initiatives, like Blue Box recycling collection and green bin organics (kitchen waste) collection.”

Benefits include improvements with separation of recyclables and organic material from regular garbage, longer life span for Muskoka landfill, worker safety, and keeps hazardous waste, like lithium-ion batteries, paint, medicine, oil and gas out of regular waste,” they indicate.

The program also allows residents up to 2 small bags for privacy in each large clear garbage bag.

The District reports success with community participation with 75% of households using clear bags for garbage. They add, “The community’s enthusiasm and cooperation are turning the program goal of extending the life of the Rosewarne Landfill and improving waste management practices into a reality.”

In the August 21^st District meeting staff announced that recent community efforts have increased the Rosewarne landfill site by an additional year so far, with a life expectancy of 16 years to date.

The District also reported a 41% decrease in tonnage of garbage collected at curbs compared to last March and April, due to moving organics to green bins, provided by them.

Next steps with the compliance stage will involve greater commitment from residents.

Rhodes said, “The compliance part is that if garbage is not put out in a clear bag, it will not be picked up and it will be up to that resident to dispose of it at the landfill.”

Director of Waste Management, Renee Recoskie, explained, “Starting next week, we will begin enforcement. Garbage set out at the curb in non-compliant bags, such as black garbage bags, will be tagged and not collected. If this happens, residents may bring their waste to a District Waste Drop-Off Location in opaque bags until January 1, 2026. Weekly limits will apply.”

She added, “After January 1, 2026, any non-compliant waste must be re-sorted and either set out the following collection week, if within weekly limits, or brought to a Drop-Off Location in clear bags.”