Organics program updates start this week

Changes to the City’s organics program begin this week for households receiving organics collection in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay and Omemee.

What’s changing

Effective today:

• Organics collection moves to your regular garbage day. Organics will be collected by Miller Waste on the same day as your garbage. This change is noted in the 2026 Municipal Calendar.
• Organics are no longer allowed in garbage bags. Food scraps and other compostable materials must be placed in the organics bin (or a backyard composter) instead of the garbage.
• One garbage bag limit per household. With organics collected separately, and more items accepted in recycling, households should be putting out less garbage overall.

At the upcoming June 23 meeting, council will consider a recommendation to allow households to set out one additional garbage bag containing only diapers and/or incontinence products on their regular collection day. More information will be shared after the council meeting.

What to expect

Starting this week, garbage bags will be left behind with an “Oops” sticker if they:

• exceed the one bag limit; and/or
• contain organics

If organics are not removed, or if more than one untagged garbage bag is set out, material will continue to be stickered and left behind.

Excess waste can be taken to the landfill (fees apply), or you can use bag tags for additional curbside garbage collection.

NOTE: Using bag tags on garbage containing organics will not be accepted on an ongoing basis. This temporary measure is permitted until further notice.

If you need to set out extra garbage bags, curbside bag tags are available for purchase at Municipal Service Centres and Kawartha Lakes Library branches.

Two-week transition period 

To help residents adjust to the new program, there will be a two-week transition period from June 15 to 28.

Any bags that receive an “Oops” sticker during the week of June 15 can be set out the following week (the week of June 22) as double collection without a bag tag.

After June 28, any new material set out on your collection day must meet the new program requirements.

Medical Waste Register 

If you need additional bags of waste at the curb each week because of in-home medical treatment or other medical reasons, please visit our Medical Waste Register page for information.

Learn more 

Visit the Organics Program page for details on what can go in your organics bin, answers to frequently asked questions, and more program information.

For all information about the residential curbside waste program, visit the Residential Waste Collection page.