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Muskoka Lakes

Learn more about your recycling program.

Recycling program transition

As of November 19, 2024, Muskoka Lake’s recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization that is committed to building an efficient and effective recycling system in Ontario.

Recycling resources

Learn more about recycling collection in Muskoka Lakes.

Get in touch

For any recycling collection inquiries as of November 19, 2024, please reach out to your recycling contractor. They can be contacted about replacement bins, missed, collection and any other recycling questions.

GFL

Be recycle ready

  • Set out your blue box by 7 a.m on your collection day 
  • Collection continues as usual on all holidays, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. When these holidays fall on weekdays, collection will be changed 
  • Use one box or bag for all your recyclable items. 
  • Blue boxes or an equal size open-top container, for example a tote, laundry basket, milk crate or sturdy cardboard box is encouraged. 
  • Keep your blue box visible and within reach for collection staff. Please remember not to place bin behind a snowbank or parked car 
  • Place metal, plastic, glass materials and carton containers loosely in your blue box. 
  • Please don’t overfill your blue box. 
  • Use a rubber spatula to scrape out remaining food and or gently rinse containers with water. Conserve when rinsing containers: after washing dishes, use the dishwater to rinse out cans, cartons, bottles and jars 
  • Small items less than two inches in diameter or length do not belong in your recycling. 
  • Large cardboard boxes must be broken down and bundled – maximum 1m x 1m (40×40 in) and not weighing more than 25kg (55lbs) in weight. 
  • Shredded paper must be bagged in a clear bag. 
  • Keep lids on plastic bottles and containers. 


Please place the following containers in your Box for recycling. All containers just be empty, rinsed, and loos in the Blue Box.

  • Aluminum and tin food and beverage containers.
  • Beverage containers, soft drink and water bottles (keep plastic lids on plastic bottles).
  • Books (including hard and soft cover).
  • Boxboard (including detergent, cracker and cereal boxes).
  • Bubble wrap.
  • Cardboard: tied and bundled together – not to exceed 1 metre x 1 metre (40×40 inches) and cannot weigh more than 25kg (55lbs). 
  • Clean aluminum foil (including items made from aluminum foil).
  • Clean sandwich, milk, bread and shopping bags.
  • Coffee cup lids.
  • Corrugated cardboard.
  • Empty dry metal paint cans and empty aerosol cans.  
  • Glass bottles and jars – remove lids and place separately in blue box.
  • Large-mouth plastic tubs, margarine tubs, yogurt containers.
  • Magazines, catalogues and telephone books.
  • Milk and juice gable top cartons and juice boxes (remove lid and place in garbage).
  • Newsprint (including inserts and flyers).
  • Non-metallic wrapping paper, greeting cards, and kraft paper (remove tape and any decorations).
  • Paper cups (no takeout coffee or soft drink cups).
  • Paper egg cartons, toilet and paper towel rolls 
  • Plastic garden pots (no black pots).
  • Plastic pails or bottles less than five litres in size (e.g. shampoo bottles, laundry soap bottles, dish soap containers) – remove metal handles.
  • Spiral cardboard cans – remove lids and place separately in blue box.
  • Styrofoam and clamshell food trays. 
  • Writing and computer paper.

    The following items are not accepted in your Blue Box.

    • No coffee pods (even if labelled compostable/recyclable).
    • No black plastic.
    • No ceramics or window glass. 
    • No Cereal/plastic liners.
    • No Chip/snack bags.
    • No construction items such as pipe, hose, tubing or siding.
    • No electronic items .
    • No Household Hazardous Waste (HHW): propane, paint, motor oil, cleaners and batteries (take these items to a HHW Depot for disposal). No cans or aerosols that once contained motor oil, brake or transmission fluid.
    • No meat/cheese wrapping.
    • No packing Styrofoam (including blocks or peanuts).
    • No pet food bags. 
    • No picture frames, carpet, trim-moulding, diapers or dinnerware.
    • No pots and pans.
    • No propane cylinders or tanks.
    • No toys, lawn furniture, tools, etc. 
    • No stand-up pouch-style bags.
    • Broken glass should be placed in a cardboard box and closed/sealed/taped shut and clearly marked on the outside of the box ”broken glass” and placed out with your regular garbage.