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Residential Collection

 

 Curbside waste (garbage) collection

Note: tissues (Kleenex), paper towel, toilet paper, and diapers are not recyclable. These items are waste and should be disposed of in a clear bag and tied closed. This is especially important to keep collection staff safe.


 If you have any questions or concerns regarding collection please use our report it page

 

Make sure your waste and recycling is set out at the curb by 7am (6am if you live in a downtown core). Trucks do not always come at the same time every week. On your collection day leave your waste and recycling at the curb until 7pm before bringing it back inside if it was not collected. 

 

Garbage cannot be collected from large 65 or 95 gallon carts from any property within the City.

 

Photo showing proper set out for clear bags of waste


View our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar or download our app to find out the collection schedule for your home.

Images of what goes where and year at a glance posterYou can also use our Curbside Collection Map to find out when your collection day is or download our helpful handout titled "What goes where" to hang on your fridge, office wall or near your recycling bins! The handout also includes a “year at a glance” page. This helpful handout includes all special collection days, such as leaf and yard or battery, and has a space at the top to write your household’s day of the week. This is handy to have on the fridge for those who have visitors or for short term rentals.

Never put broken glass into your garbage bag. It should go into a sealed and labelled cardboard box for disposal. Place the box on top of or beside your waste and recycling on the curb.

Not sure whether an item is waste or recycling? Use our Recycle Coach Waste Wizard tools below to help you identify where you place your waste and recycling.

 

 

Clear bag program

 

The City of Kawartha Lakes participates in clear bag waste collection. Benefits of clear bag waste collection include:

  • cost savings
  • less recyclables going to landfills
  • improved safe handling for workers
  • less hazardous waste going to landfill

 Bag limit

There is a 2 bag limit per household of residential waste curbside.

If anyone wants to put out additional bags at curbside, bag tags can be purchased from the Service Centres. One tag is required for each additional bag of waste on top of the two bag limit.

 

 Privacy

Privacy bags are small opaque bags that allow you to discretely dispose of personal items. Many people use grocery bags or white kitchen catchers as their privacy bags.

You are allowed a maximum of two small privacy bags each week, one inside of each of your two clear bags per week. Privacy bags should be approximately the size of a standard grocery bag.

  • If you are only placing one clear bag of waste at the curb for collection you may place both of your privacy bags inside of it.
  • If your two small privacy bags are the only waste you have you can place them directly on the curb for collection and do not need to put them into a clear bag.
  • You can put your clear bags inside garbage cans for collection to increase privacy at the curb. Large 65 or 95 gallon carts will not be accepted.

 Why was my waste left behind?

Bags of waste will be tagged and left behind if the bag:

  • is not clear
  • contains more than 10% recyclables
  • contains any household hazardous waste
  • contains needles or other sharp hazards
  • is in a large 95 gallon cart

Was it in a clear bag?

 All waste must be in clear bags for collection. Opaque bags such as white, black or green garbage bags are not accepted.

Did it contain recyclable material or hazardous waste?

 Bags that contain more than 10% recyclable materials or any hazardous waste will be left behind. Recycling needs to be sorted into the appropriate bins for collection.

Was it out on time?

 Waste and recycling must be set out at the curb by 7am (6am if you live in a downtown core). Trucks do not always come at the same time every week.

Did it contain construction or demolition waste?

Construction and demolition waste such as wood, drywall, carpet, tiles, piping etc. is not collected curbside. You will need to take this waste to your nearest landfill site. Construction and demolition waste can be recycled at the Lindsay Ops Landfill.

Is it contained and clearly marked?

You are responsible for your garbage and recycling until it is collected. To keep animals out of your garbage, please place material in a garbage container (less than 32 gallons in size) with a lid, without bungee cords. Please do not spray bags with bleach or cayenne pepper; it's a safety hazard to the collectors.

 

Waste storage bins for the temporary storage of weekly household waste may be permitted for end of laneway use in rural (non-urban settlement areas/non-hamlet settlement areas) areas, as long as they are placed at 2.0 metres from the road’s edge (i.e. from the start of the grass/ditch and off the soft shoulder).

The placement of the waste storage bin shall not interfere with any City maintenance operations or be placed in such a manner that poses an increased safety risk for users of the roadway including pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Waste storage bins shall be constructed of light grade material (i.e. no steel) to allow for breaking upon impact if struck by a vehicle.

Waste storage bins shall be no more than 1 metre high in the front of the box, and if the box has a lid, the lid shall be hinged and of a weight and construction to allow collection staff to open the lid with ease.

Waste storage bins shall also have a flagging device (similar to mailbox) to alert collection staff when there are materials inside to be collected.

The Owner is responsible to ensure the area surrounding the waste storage bin is clear of snow, ice and debris to ensure safe access. Waste storage bins are placed at the Owner’s risk and are the sole responsibility of the Owner.

The City, including its contractors, agents and employees, shall not be liable for any damages to the waste storage bin or any materials or structures forming part of or attached to the waste storage bin.

The Owner shall hold the City, including its contractors, agents and employees harmless from and against any and all manner of claims, loss, damage or injury to any person or property directly or indirectly arising from the Owner’s placement of the waste storage bin.

The City reserves the right to reject the placement of any waste storage bins, even if such waste storage bins meet all of the above specifications, as per the City Lands Encroachment By-Law.

What size is it?

We have a limit of two garbage bags per week. The maximum weight for each bag is 40 pounds or 18 kilograms. If you are using a bin/container to hold the bags the container including the bags must not weigh more than  40lbs.

Over-sized bags count as two bags of garbage. If you need to place more than two bags at the curb for collection you will need to purchase bag tagsLarge 65 or 95 gallon carts will not be accepted.

 Winter collection

To protect public safety and the safety of our collectors we sometimes need to cancel waste collection if road conditions become dangerous. All cancellations will be posted on our website.

 Seasonal road maintenance requirements

If you receive curbside waste and recycling collection on a private seasonal road during the winter months, please ensure your road is plowed and sanded as required.  You will receive curbside collection if the road is maintained to the following standards:

  • snow plowed to a minimum of 12 feet or 4 metres wide
  • sand or salt applied during icy conditions
  • vegetation cut back to 15 feet or 5 metres high and 12 feet or 4 metres wide
  • filling of potholes, cracks and grading as required

If the collection contractor assesses the road as unsafe for a collection vehicle, you will not receive curbside collection until such time as winter maintenance occurs.

Note: Collection may be delayed if road conditions do not allow for safe passage by collection vehicles.

Alternate winter collection set-out locations

If your road does not receive curbside waste and recycling collection between November 1 and May 1 you can use an alternate winter collection location to have your waste and recycling picked up. As always waste must be in clear bags. There is a two bag waste limit and additional bags and large items require pre-paid tags for collection. The construction of permanent storage containers at the alternative set out locations will not be permitted.

Your collection day will not change. View our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar or download our app to find out when your collection day is.

 Monday

Monday collection day alternate set-out locations
Road Name Alternate Set-Out Location
Daisy Drive Birch Glen Road
Rockway Trail Otter Road
End of Maple Avenue - Long Point Maple Avenue
Poplar Grove Balsam Lakes Drive
Indian Court Island Drive
Pine Court Birch Glen Road
Outlook Court Island Drive
Juniper Crescent Birch Glen Road
Normwood Crescent Woodworth Drive
Corby Crescent Woodworth Drive
Hoskin Avenue Highway #35
Beachli Lane Highway #35
Relax Avenue Highway #35
Laurel Drive Highway #35
Tony's Trail Highway #35
Devon Drive Highway #35
Ridgeway Trail Highway #35
Merridale Drive Somerville 7th Concession
Golden Drive Somerville 7th Concession
Jack Pine Trail Laxton Township 6th Line
Sparrow Lane Lake Dalrymple
Shadow Lake Road #2 Monck Road
Shadow Lake Road #4 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #6 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #8 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #10 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #12 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #18 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #20 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #22 Baseline Road
Shadow Lake Road #28 Baseline Road
Basswood Drive Burnt River Road
Autumn Lane Burnt River Road
Woodfern Road Highway #35
Cerarvilla Road Highway #35
Loggers Road Rustic Trail
Weldon Drive Hugill Road
Forest Lane Hugill Road
Birchleaf Drive Monck Road
Miller Road McNevan Drive
Southfork Road

Lightening Point Road

Cactus Lane Monck Road

Tuesday

Tuesday collection day alternate set-out locations
Road NameAlternate Set-Out Location
Arbour Street Snug Harbour Road
Rail Drive Louisa Street
Past #64 Rose Street Out to 'Y' turnaround
Walnut Street Northline Road
Stewart's Road Rutherford Road
Flint Street Rutherford Road
Langton Lane Blythe Shore Road
Manitou Lane Pigeon Lake Road
Loon Lane Heights Road
Major Avenue Heights Road
Lochan Lane Pigeon Lake Road
Regal Road Fell's Bay Road

Ideal Point

County Rd 24

Wednesday

Wednesday collection day alternate set-out locations
Road NameAlternate Set-Out Location
Fox Beach Lane Whippoorwill Lane
End of McCrackin Road McCrackin Road
Goose Bay Lane McNabb Road
Brotherston Gate Highway #48
McKelvey Road Highway #48

Curbside tags for online purchase

Did you know that you can purchase curbside tags for mattresses, bulky items and Freon objects online? In just three easy steps you can schedule your curbside pick up with Miller Waste from the comfort of your own home.

View our online order form

Curbside recycling collection

NEW: As of April 1, 2024 household recycling in Kawartha Lakes is the responsibility of the producers. All recycling inquiries should now go through Circular Materials, visit the Kawartha Lakes page on their website to learn more.

 Moving forward, if you have any recycling related inquiries, please contact your recycling collector:

Miller Waste will help with replacement bins, missed collections, and other recycling questions you may have!

If you'd like to provide feedback or comments in regards to Miller Waste's recycling collection services, you can contact Circular Materials:

Please note that there are no changes to your recycling collection services, other than who to contact for customer service. Recycling in Kawartha Lakes will remain the same and the below information still applies:


 

Recycling must be loose in containers. Bagged recycling will not be picked up.

 

Not sure whether an item is waste or recycling? Use our Waste Wizard to find out what goes where.

Make sure your waste and recycling is set out at the curb by 7am (6am if you live in a downtown core). Trucks do not always come at the same time every week. On your collection day leave your waste and recycling at the curb until 7pm before bringing it back inside if it was not collected.

There is no limit to the amount you can recycle each week. Blue Box and Green Box recycling are collected on alternating weeks.

Recycling must be placed loose in wide-mouthed bins (16 to 22 gallons) at the curb (large 95 gallon carts will not be accepted and are for multi-residential and commercial use only)

 

Image of allowable recycling containers

 

View our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar or download our app to find out the collection schedule for your home.

Never put broken glass into your recycling bin. It should go into a sealed and labelled cardboard box for disposal. Place the box on top of or beside your waste and recycling on the curb.

If you need additional recycling boxes, please contact Miller Waste.

 

Blue Box (container) recycling

Recycling must be loose in containers. Bagged recycling will not be picked up.

Always remove lids and rinse food and drink containers before recycling them.

Common household items that go into your Blue Box include:

  • milk and juice cartons, drinking boxes, ice cream containers (plastic only)
  • glass bottles and jars
  • metal cans
  • aluminum foil containers
  • plastic bags and film (place all bags and film in one bag and tie closed)
  • empty paint cans
  • clear plastic food containers
  • plastic bottles, jugs, tubs and lids with a recycle symbol of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7
  • plastic plant and flower pots, pails, plant trays and cell packs (soil removed)

The following items cannot be recycled:

  • packing peanuts and Styrofoam insulation
  • coffee cups
  • light bulbs, mirrors, dishes and window glass
  • straws and plastic cutlery
  • metal pots and pans
  • plastic or metal coat hangers
  • VHS tapes
  • solar pool covers and tarps
  • motor oil and antifreeze containers
  • plastic toys or large plastic items that do not fit in the Blue Box

Green Box (fibre) recycling

Recycling must be loose in containers. Bagged recycling will not be picked up.

View our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar or download our App for an extensive list of items that go into the Green Box.

Green Box recycling tips:

  • Break down cardboard boxes so they are no larger than the size of your green bin;
  • Do not place fibre contaminated with motor oil or pet waste inside your green box, it is garbage;
  • Ice cream containers go into the Blue Box.

Common household items that go into your Green Box include:

  • newspapers, insert flyers, catalogues, magazines, phone books, mail, writing paper and envelopes
  • brown paper bags, fibre egg cartons, toilet and paper towel rolls
  • non-metallic wrapping paper and gift bags with rope, metal handles and decals removed
  • cereal, cracker, detergent, drug, shoe, gift and tissue boxes
  • shredded paper (secure in clear plastic bag)

The following items cannot be recycled:

  • shipping envelopes with bubble liner
  • Polaroids
  • pet food bags
  • peat pots
  • wooden clementine boxes
  • paper towel and facial tissue

Curbside battery collection

The next Curbside Battery Collections are during the week of March 18 to 21 and November 11 to 14, 2024. View our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar to find out when your collection day is.

Instructions:

  • Put used or unwanted, single-use dry cell batteries inside your clear sealable bag (Ziploc or similar). Remember to cover 9V battery terminals and both sites of button batteries with tape;
  • Put sealed bag where it's visible to your collector on your regular collection day during the weeks of March 18 to 21, 2024 and November 11 to 14, 2024;

Please do not place any loose batteries in your recycling box.

Acceptable batteries include:

  • A
  • AA
  • AAA
  • C
  • D
  • 9V
  • button batteries
  • lantern batteries

Unacceptable batteries include:

  • rechargeable batteries (laptop, cellphone batteries, etc.)
  • automotive batteries
  • industrial batteries

These batteries can be brought to the Household Hazardous Waste depots for disposal at the Lindsay Ops and Fenelon landfills.

Curbside leaf and yard waste collection

Spring

  • If your scheduled collection day is on Monday or Wednesday, your spring leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday June 7.
  • If your scheduled collection day is on Tuesday or Thursday, your spring leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday June 14.

Fall

  • If your scheduled collection day is on Monday or Wednesday, your fall leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday November 1 and Friday November 15.
  • If your scheduled collection day is on Tuesday or Thursday, your fall leaf and yard collection will occur on Friday November 8 and Friday November 22.

All leaf and yard waste must be set out in paper bags or neatly bundled. Plastic bags are not accepted. If the material does not fit into a paper yard waste bag or is set out on your regular waste collection day it will not be collected.

Items that are not accepted during leaf and yard collection include:

  • Christmas trees
  • grass clippings
  • stumps and yard waste over 7.5 cm in diameter and 91.4 cm in length
  • soil and sod

These items can be taken to a City landfill site.

 

Normally, curbside leaf and yard collection only applies to low density residential locations (1-2 units) and mobile home parks, but for the years of 2021 and 2022, high density residential locations (3+ units) and trailer parks are also eligible for curbside collection. This expanded service will be reviewed in 2022, to determine if it will be continued in the future.

Large item collection

To have large items, mattresses/box springs and appliances containing Freon collected at the curb you must purchase the appropriate tag/sticker and then call Miller Waste to arrange pick-up. Large item tags/stickers can be bought online or at one of our Service Centres, details can be found here. All items with a door must have the door removed to be collected.

Large items and appliances

Purchase a 'Large Item' sticker at a cost of $11.00 and attach to each item.

Large items and appliances include:

  • stoves
  • washers and dryers
  • furniture
  • microwaves
  • televisions
  • computers, monitors and stereos

Freon Items

In addition to the $11.00 Large Item sticker, appliances containing Freon must also be tagged with a pre-paid Freon Appliance sticker. Freon Appliance stickers cost $21.00 per item. The total cost to have a Freon item collected at the curb is $32.00.

Only appliances with Freon removed by a licensed technician and certified Freon Free do not require the $21.00 sticker.

Freon items include:

  • refrigerators
  • freezers
  • dehumidifiers
  • air conditioners
  • household water coolers

Please call Miller Waste Systems Inc. at 1-888-557-4711 to schedule your collection before setting your Freon items on the curb.

Mattresses and box springs

Mattress Stickers: $16.00 each

Box Spring Stickers: $16.00 each

 Medical waste register

Our Medical Waste Register is for residents and medical professionals who need to place more than two bags of waste at the curb each week because of in-home treatment or other medical reasons. The Register offers a supply of garbage bag tags at no cost to help manage the extra waste.

To qualify for the Medical Waste Register:

  1. Complete the Medical Waste Patient Certification Form;
  2. Take the form to your medical practitioner to confirm that in-home treatment is taking place and extra waste may be produced. Your medical practitioner must sign the form;
  3. Mail the completed form to:

Waste Management, City of Kawartha Lakes

322 Kent Street West, PO BOX 9000,

Lindsay, Ontario, K9V 4T7.

You can also email it to waste management.

This program will only address the needs of residents undergoing medical treatment.  Large families and other individuals and/or businesses who cannot meet set- out limits will not be eligible for this program.

My waste collection was missed or delayed, what now?

From time to time, waste (garbage and recycling) collection can get delayed due to inclement weather and/or poor road conditions. While our waste collection partner, Miller Waste, does their best to avoid any kind of collection delay, sometimes they are unavoidable.

Visit our Waste Collection Delay page to learn:

  • How to sign up for Waste Collection Delay notifications
  • What to do if your waste was missed due to a delay
  • What to do if your waste was just missed

Contact Us