The Waste We Make: 2024 Audit Results Unpacked

In 2024, the District conducted a comprehensive curbside waste audit, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of current waste diversion programs. The audit, which covered four seasons, focused on identifying key areas where waste diversion efforts can be improved and, more importantly, how much waste -- especially organics -- ends up in landfills.

Spotlight: Organics in the Garbage Stream

One of the most concerning findings from the audit is the high contamination rate of organics in the garbage stream. Over 40% of the material set out for garbage collection was organic waste -- food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable materials that should have been diverted into green bins. Unfortunately, much of this organic material was mixed in with regular trash, which significantly impacts diversion efforts.

The issue isn't just that organics are in the wrong bin; it's the environmental cost. When organic wastes are disposed of in landfills, they produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which traps much more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide does. This makes organic waste one of the largest contributors to GHG emissions in landfills. Reducing contamination and properly diverting organics into District composting programs is a key step toward decreasing Muskoka's carbon footprint and extending the life of our one and only Rosewarne Landfill.

Contamination Breakdown: Percentages of Other Waste Streams Found in the Garbage