There was a lot of resistance, but according to the District of Muskoka, since the clear bag program was officially implemented at the curb in March 2025, there has been a marked increase in waste diversion.
The District has seen a 38 per cent decrease in the tonnage of garbage collected at the curb to date compared to 2024. It has also seen a 99 per cent increase in the tonnage of green bin organics collected.
“When the idea to go to clear bags was brought to District council, I remember saying, ‘Well, it’s weird, but it works.’ Turns out it worked really, really well here in Muskoka,” noted District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman.
“I know some people had legitimate questions about things like privacy and wondered whether it would make a difference, but the numbers show this has been a runaway success.”
The clear garbage bag requirement was also recently introduced at transfer stations and at Muskoka’s only landfill, and Lehman said that it has also been incredibly successful.
“We only have our own residents to thank for that – this is an accomplishment of the community, as more than 80 per cent of transfer station customers are using clear bags already in the first few weeks of the switchover, and almost everyone now in curbside pickup,” he noted.
“Here’s why it’s important,” added Lehman. “Every additional year of life we can get out of our existing landfill is worth millions of dollars in taxpayer money. Even a few years of increased capacity is worth a fortune, due to the costs of finding, acquiring, and building a new landfill. And by throwing less garbage in the ground, we are making a whole series of positive environmental impacts, including reducing carbon emissions and, of course, reducing pollution.
“So my message to Muskokans is thank you for making the change – it worked – and both our pocketbook and our kids will thank us too,” he said.
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