Bin Site Transition Plan

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In 2019, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) directed the District to transition unstaffed dumpster sites to alternate waste collection service. Since then, the District has been working with communities to replace these unlicensed dumpsters with long-term sustainable waste collection.

New servicing includes curbside waste collection, Lakeside Waste Collection, and new depots. Every community is different and through consultation with cottage associations, stakeholders and marinas, new service is put in place that meets MECP requirements.

Fall 2022 Status

Expanding curbside collection, November 2022

Breezy Point Road in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #13)

  • Residents on Woodwinds Road and 1158 Greenwood Point Road will now receive curbside collection from their driveways year-round.
  • Existing summer curbside collection for residents on Breezy Point Road will not change and will return next May (summer schedule).

  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Buttler Road in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #14)

  • Residents on Phyllimar Lane will now have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Leonard Lake Road 2 in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #43)

  • Residents on Leonard Lake Road 1, Alice Avenue, Glen Gordon Road up to and including 1178, and Leonard Lake Road 2 before 1228 will have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Purbrook Road in Bracebridge (Bin #68)

  • Residents on Clarence Drive, White Eagle Trail, Moe’s Road and Island Way will now have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.


Depot Development

Public drop off depots are being established to support communities once serviced by bin sites. The depots will licensed, fully secured and staffed by an on-site attendant during hours of operation, in accordance with MECP regulations.

Housey's Rapids Depot, supporting Riley Lake

  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report (D&O) have been completed.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders, the Town of Gravenhurst and MECP regarding planning and approvals is currently underway.
  • It is anticipated that the ECA Application will be submitted by the end of 2022 with MECP approval to follow in 2023.

Southwood Depot, supporting Nine Mile Lake

  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report (D&O) are currently being developed.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders (including the marina and snowmobiler's club) regarding planning and approvals is currently underway.
  • Submission of the ECA Application is anticipated by 2023.

Other sites under development

  • Direction has been received to investigate development of new depots to support Skeleton Lake community and Beaumont Drive (including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka Beaumont Farm Rd and Strawberry Bay).
  • Site Plans, D&O's, and further consultation with stakeholders in support of ECA Applications will be advanced in 2023.


Consultation Updates

Consultation has begun with bin site communities and stakeholders in the following communities. Updates provided below are for those areas where final transition dates and alternate servicing are continuing to be investigated.

Bracebridge / Beaumont Dr - including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Spirit Bay Marina

  • Public survey completed 2021 (summary here).
  • Preliminary assessment of potential drop off depot site currently underway.

Bracebridge / Highway 118E - including Bigwind Lake, Bird Lake, Clear Lake and Wood Lake

  • Public survey completed 2022 (summary here).
  • Results have been reviewed with stakeholders.
  • District preparing final servicing notifications for residents prior to November 2022 transition.

Gravenhurst - including Campbells Landing Marina and Villas Marina

  • Preliminary meetings held with key stakeholders.
  • Given the large population of islanders accessing bins on both the south west / Gravenhurst side of Lake Muskoka and the south east / Bracebridge side of Lake Muskoka (Bracebridge / Beaumont Dr update above), comprehensive final servicing plans are being considered and transitions on both sides of the lake will happen together.

Muskoka Lakes - including East Bay Landing and Bala Cove Marina

  • Preliminary meetings held with key stakeholders.
  • Investigating alternate servicing options.


Community Surveys

In collaboration with several marinas and cottage associations, communities were surveyed to seek feedback on long-term waste servicing.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort. Community surveys have been completed in 2020, 2021 and 2022 for:



Sign up to be notified when your community is being surveyed.

In 2019, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) directed the District to transition unstaffed dumpster sites to alternate waste collection service. Since then, the District has been working with communities to replace these unlicensed dumpsters with long-term sustainable waste collection.

New servicing includes curbside waste collection, Lakeside Waste Collection, and new depots. Every community is different and through consultation with cottage associations, stakeholders and marinas, new service is put in place that meets MECP requirements.

Fall 2022 Status

Expanding curbside collection, November 2022

Breezy Point Road in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #13)

  • Residents on Woodwinds Road and 1158 Greenwood Point Road will now receive curbside collection from their driveways year-round.
  • Existing summer curbside collection for residents on Breezy Point Road will not change and will return next May (summer schedule).

  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Buttler Road in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #14)

  • Residents on Phyllimar Lane will now have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Leonard Lake Road 2 in Muskoka Lakes (Bin #43)

  • Residents on Leonard Lake Road 1, Alice Avenue, Glen Gordon Road up to and including 1178, and Leonard Lake Road 2 before 1228 will have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Purbrook Road in Bracebridge (Bin #68)

  • Residents on Clarence Drive, White Eagle Trail, Moe’s Road and Island Way will now have access to year-round curbside collection at the end of their driveways.
  • Details are provided in this letter to area residents.


Depot Development

Public drop off depots are being established to support communities once serviced by bin sites. The depots will licensed, fully secured and staffed by an on-site attendant during hours of operation, in accordance with MECP regulations.

Housey's Rapids Depot, supporting Riley Lake

  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report (D&O) have been completed.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders, the Town of Gravenhurst and MECP regarding planning and approvals is currently underway.
  • It is anticipated that the ECA Application will be submitted by the end of 2022 with MECP approval to follow in 2023.

Southwood Depot, supporting Nine Mile Lake

  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report (D&O) are currently being developed.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders (including the marina and snowmobiler's club) regarding planning and approvals is currently underway.
  • Submission of the ECA Application is anticipated by 2023.

Other sites under development

  • Direction has been received to investigate development of new depots to support Skeleton Lake community and Beaumont Drive (including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka Beaumont Farm Rd and Strawberry Bay).
  • Site Plans, D&O's, and further consultation with stakeholders in support of ECA Applications will be advanced in 2023.


Consultation Updates

Consultation has begun with bin site communities and stakeholders in the following communities. Updates provided below are for those areas where final transition dates and alternate servicing are continuing to be investigated.

Bracebridge / Beaumont Dr - including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Spirit Bay Marina

  • Public survey completed 2021 (summary here).
  • Preliminary assessment of potential drop off depot site currently underway.

Bracebridge / Highway 118E - including Bigwind Lake, Bird Lake, Clear Lake and Wood Lake

  • Public survey completed 2022 (summary here).
  • Results have been reviewed with stakeholders.
  • District preparing final servicing notifications for residents prior to November 2022 transition.

Gravenhurst - including Campbells Landing Marina and Villas Marina

  • Preliminary meetings held with key stakeholders.
  • Given the large population of islanders accessing bins on both the south west / Gravenhurst side of Lake Muskoka and the south east / Bracebridge side of Lake Muskoka (Bracebridge / Beaumont Dr update above), comprehensive final servicing plans are being considered and transitions on both sides of the lake will happen together.

Muskoka Lakes - including East Bay Landing and Bala Cove Marina

  • Preliminary meetings held with key stakeholders.
  • Investigating alternate servicing options.


Community Surveys

In collaboration with several marinas and cottage associations, communities were surveyed to seek feedback on long-term waste servicing.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort. Community surveys have been completed in 2020, 2021 and 2022 for:



Sign up to be notified when your community is being surveyed.

Discussions: All (1) Open (1)

  • Have your say

    about 2 years ago
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    The District of Muskoka is seeking your input as we transition the bin sites. 

    The purpose of initiating an Alternate Servicing Study is to inform the Bin Site Transition Plan by assessing waste collection alternatives for the District’s communities currently served by 88 existing unlicensed bin sites. The Study will be used to identify alternate waste collection services that are compliant with the Environmental Protection Act, 1990 (EPA), in keeping with the District’s Strategic Priorities and future Waste Management Strategy, and reflects the unique waste collection service needs of each 'bin site community'.

    The Terms of Reference outlines the goals, objectives and key actions that will guide the work of the Bin Site Transition Plan from 2020-2023. Please give us your feedback.

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Page last updated: 23 Sep 2022, 11:10 AM