Unstaffed dumpster sites

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.

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. The latest updates on depot progress was presented through a staff report and ratified by Council in May 2023.

Housey's Rapids Depot, supporting Riley Lake

• Development Notice (February 2024): Construction has begun with tree removal
• ECA Application submitted to MECP November 2022, with final ECA approval issued May 18, 2023. Details are provided in this letter to residents within 500 m of site.
• Work will continue over the next few months to prepare the Site for the new depot including construction, fencing, etc.
• Collaboration continues with the Town of Gravenhurst to finalize approvals required for the site - including Site Plan Approval and License Of Use agreements as outlined in the staff report linked above.

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 in 2024.

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.

Bin Site Transition

March 2024

Rowanwood Road (Bin #74)

• Please note, the dumpsters will be removed and will not return.
• Resident will receive curbside collection beginning April 11, 2024.
• Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

February 2024

Hawkes Road (Bin #32)

• Please note, the dumpsters will be removed and will not return.
• Residents on Hawkes Rd. will have year-round curbside collection.
• Details are provided in this letter to area residents.
  
  

West Point Sands Road (Bin #90)

• Please note, the dumpsters will be removed and will not return.
• Residents will have access to curbside collection.
• Details are provided in this letter to area residents.

Winter Lakeside Waste Collection 2023

Updates for existing Winter Lakeside Waste Collection events can be found on our Lakeside Waste Collection webpage here.

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.
• Long-term planning for waste collection in this area will consider the preference for a permanent depot.
• Interim winter Lakeside Waste Collection service will be provided.

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 as we work toward the 2026 deadline.

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:

• Parkers Marina in Muskoka Lakes (download summary here)
• Kahshe Lake in Gravenhurst (download summary here)
• Walker's Marina and Beaumaris Yacht Club (download summary here)
• Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Spirit Bay Marina in Bracebridge (download summary here)
• Clearwater Lake in Gravenhurst (download summary here)
• Nine Mile Lake in Muskoka Lakes (download summary here)
• Highway 118E at four locations (download summary here)
• Skeleton Lake in Muskoka Lakes (download summary here)

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