Bin Site Transition Plan

At the direction of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) all of Muskoka's 80+ unlicensed bin sites will be removed by 2023.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 emergency and follow recommendations from Public Health.
If you currently have curbside collection or use a licensed transfer station, nothing has changed. Please monitor muskokarecycles.ca for any COVID-19 related service impacts.

Summer 2021 – Update

A 2020 Annual Report was ratified by District Council on November 16, 2020 and submitted to the MECP on November 27, 2020 (2020 Annual Report). The report presented an update of bins transitioned over 2020 and a plan for 2021. Over the coming year, the Project team will continue to reach out to bin site hosts and communities to discuss consultation for their individual bin sites. In addition, some sites will transition to alternate collection service.

• Currently, year-round and summer bins sites are in service.
• Current status of the bin sites can be found here by Area Municipality here.
• Bins at Walker’s Point Marina on Lake Muskoka and Troy Cove Marina on Skeleton Lake have been removed, residents are encouraged to use the Lakeside Waste Collection events (details below)
• In collaboration with bin site hosts, marinas and lake associations, surveys are being rolled out to ask residents their opinions on long-term waste servicing for their community. Sign up to be notified when your community is being surveyed.

2021 Lakeside Waste Collection

Lakeside waste collection events have started for the summer at the following locations:

For more information including acceptable material and a downloadable schedule, visit our Lakeside Waste Collection page.

2021 Consultation Plan

Thank you to the communities who have reached out to discuss future waste collection. As we monitor COVID-19 restrictions, we are working to ensure public consultation can continue virtually. We look forward to sharing more details of our scheduled sessions soon. Please subscribe to this page at the top right corner to receive updates, surveys and invitations to sessions for your community as we advance the 2021 plan.

Over 2021, we will be talking about waste collection options for the following communities:

• Kahshe Lake (21 – Dennes Marina at the office, 72 – Rockhaven, 79 – South Kahshe Lake Road)
• Lake Rosseau (Minett) (84 – SWS Boatworks, 93 – Woodrow Rosseau Road, 51 – Morinus Road/Rosseau Landing)
• East shore of Lake Muskoka (7 – Beaumaris Yacht Club, 3 – Allport Marina, 64 – Pride of Muskoka, 39 – Spirit Bay)
• Walker’s Point Marina (88) and Beaumaris Yacht Club (7)
• Pine Island (63 – Pine Island Parking Lot)
• Nine Mile Marina (53 – Nine Mile Lake Marina)
• Wood Lake (69 – Rignalls Road, 49 – Milne Road)
• Prospect Lake (67 – Prospect Lake Road)
• Skeleton Lake (85 – Muskoka Village Harbour - former Troy Cove Marina)

Why are bin sites being removed?

Bin sites are not licensed and not compliant with the Environmental Protection Act.
They pose risks to the environment and human health, especially when waste is not disposed of properly in and around bin sites. Many bin sites are located very close to our lakes and rivers and they pose a high risk of contamination.