Website Feedback

Source Separated Organics program

Organics Program Coming January 2025

We’re excited to share that we’ll be launching a brand new organics curbside collection program in the urban areas of Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay and Omemee starting on Saturday January 4, 2025.

What is an Organics Program?

Our Organics Program, also referred to as our Source Separated Organics Program, is a new way for residents to dispose of their food and organic waste.

Did you know that 30% or more of household waste is considered organic waste?

Every year households in Kawartha Lakes fill up 28,000 cubic metres (more than 11 Olympic-sized swimming pools) worth of landfill space with an estimated 4,500 tonnes of organic waste. A successful organics program will help the municipality meet provincial policy targets and get closer to reaching our goal of diverting 70% of waste from our landfills by 2048.

What does this mean for me?

There are no changes coming to your waste (garbage) and recycling curbside collection day; your waste will continue to be picked up on the same day each week. The main difference is that when the program starts, you will no longer be allowed to throw your food and/or organic waste in your regular waste (garbage).

You will be provided with a small kitchen catcher (seven litre bin) for countertop collection of your organic waste along with a larger, 45L organic waste rollout cart for curbside collection. Curbside collection of organic waste will happen on Fridays each week for every address that is included in the program. For example:

If your regular waste and recycling collection day is Tuesday, you’ll continue to put your waste and recycling curbside by 7am on Tuesday and then later in the week, you’ll put your organics bin curbside by 7am on Friday for collection. Please Note: The first pick up is a Saturday because of the New Years Day holiday falling on a Wednesday.

For residents who don't live in the urban areas of Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, or Omemee, we encourage you to compost at home! Composters and digesters can be purchased at our Municipal Service Centres. For more information about compositing in Kawartha Lakes visit our Waste Diversion Programs page and look for the Backyard Composting tab. 

Program Rollout Timeline

  • November 2024 – Delivery of the organics kitchen catcher and rollout cart
  • Week of December 22, 2024 – This is the last week you’ll be able to dispose of your food and organic waste with your regular waste (garbage)
  • Week of December 29, 2024 – Begin separating your food waste from your regular waste by using your kitchen catcher and rollout cart
  • January 4, 2025 – Have your organics bin to the curb by 7am for collection

What's next?

Residents involved in the program will receive a letter with the above information. Organics program updates and news will be shared with the community through our social media channels and newsroom. We'll also be updating this webpage as new program information is provided.

Stay up-to-date on all things organics program related by following us on social media:

Subscribe to the Jump Inbox to receive our newsroom news right to your email. You'll be the first to know about waste delays, special collection days, landfill notices and more: www.kawarthalakes.ca/JumpInbox

You can also download our Recycle Coach App to set up waste collection reminders and receive waste related notifications to your cell phone. The app has a handy “What Goes Where?” tool to help keep your waste organized. Download the app today at: www.kawarthalakes.ca/RecycleCoach

Contact Us