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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the idea to go to clear bags was brought to District council, I remember saying, \u2018Well, it\u2019s weird, but it works.\u2019 Turns out it worked really, really well here in Muskoka,\u201d noted District of Muskoka Chair Jeff Lehman.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clear garbage bag requirement was also recently introduced at transfer stations and at Muskoka\u2019s only landfill, and Lehman said that it has also been incredibly successful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only have our own residents to thank for that \u2013 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,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s why it\u2019s important,\u201d added Lehman. \u201cEvery additional year of life we can get out of our existing landfill is worth millions of dollars in taxpayer money.\u00a0 Even a few years of increased capacity is worth a fortune, due to the costs of finding, acquiring, and building a new landfill.\u00a0And 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo my message to Muskokans is thank you for making the change \u2013 it worked \u2013 and both our pocketbook and our kids will thank us too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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