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The District Municipality of Muskoka’s Bin Site Transition Plan is an ongoing initiative to transition Muskoka’s previously unstaffed and unsupervised dumpster sites to long-term, alternate waste collection service that is licensed and environmentally sustainable.

With guidance given by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), this transition involves replacing community bin sites with Ministry-approved waste collection alternatives, such as curbside and lakeside waste collection, along with the establishment of new drop-off depots.

Through this initiative, we seek to achieve several key objectives:

Discover more about our Bin Site Transition Plan and how we’re re-shaping waste collection services in Muskoka by viewing our Waste Collection Alternate Servicing Study Terms of Reference, which highlights:

  • How our plan aligns with the District’s Waste Management Strategy
  • Insights into Muskoka’s diverse bin sites and their unique environments
  • The process behind implementing alternative services
  • The crucial role community consultation plays in shaping our approach

Have your say!

Waste Collection Surveys are crafted to gather your valuable input on the bin site transition process, enabling us to deliver efficient, sustainable waste collection services considering the unique needs of each community. We also work closely with marinas and cottage associations to shape future waste servicing. Your contribution makes a difference!

Surveys currently open for feedback include:

  • Campbell's Landing Marina and Villas Marina Bin Sites Survey (Coming soon)

Current lakeside waste collection and existing services

Some communities have already made the transition away from dumpster bins to new lakeside waste collection servicing. Learn more about which community is receiving Lakeside waste collection and the collection event schedule for each community.

You can also learn more about curbside garbage collection for eligible properties, green bin organics and recycling.

Active consultation updates

Consultation has begun and is ongoing with stakeholders. Final transition dates and alternate servicing continue to be investigated. Learn which communities are currently being consulted with:

Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Spirit Bay (Bracebridge)

Milne Road, Rignalls Road, Bird Lake Road and Black River/Clear Lake Road (Bracebridge)

  • The District’s long-term planning team is considering area preferences for a permanent drop-off depot for the Highway 118 community.
  • View the Highway 118 Community Survey Summary for the site. Results have been reviewed by stakeholders.

Fish Lake Road at Maws Road (Huntsville)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • Consultation is continuing with the Township of Perry.

Campbell's Landing Marina and Villas Marina (Muskoka Lakes)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • Given the large number of islanders accessing bins on both the southwest/Gravenhurst side of Lake Muskoka and the southeast/Bracebridge side of Lake Muskoka, the long-term planning team continues to develop comprehensive final servicing plans.
  • Transitions on both sides of the lake will occur together.

East Bay Landing and Bala Cove Marina (Muskoka Lakes)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • The long-term planning team is investigating alternate servicing options.

Township of Georgian Bay

  • Consultation is continuing with the Township of Georgian Bay.

New drop-off depot updates

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

View the latest updates to new depots or view the most recent District Staff Report around the new depots’ development to learn about facility updates:

Housey's Rapids Depot

  • Supports the Riley Lake Road community in Gravenhurst.
  • Construction has begun with tree removal in February 2024. Work (such as construction and fencing) will continue over the next few months to prepare the site for the new depot.
  • The District continues to work with the Town of Gravenhurst to finalize approvals required for the site, such as the Site Plan Approval and License of Use agreement.
  • Final Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) was issued in May 2023. View more details in the Neighbourhood Notification – Housey’s Rapids Depot letter to area residents.

Southwood Depot

  • Supports the Nine Mile Marina community in Muskoka Lakes.
  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report are currently being developed and submission of the ECA application is expected in 2024.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders is currently underway.

Beaumont Depot

  • Supports the Lake Muskoka community.
  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report are currently being developed and submission of the ECA application is expected in 2024.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders is currently underway.

Other depot sites

  • The District is investigating the development of new depots to support the Skeleton Lake community and Beaumont Drive community (including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Strawberry Bay).
  • Site Plans, Design and Operations Reports and consultation with stakeholders took place in 2023 in support of the ECA application.

Transition status for community bin sites

View the transition status and consultation opportunities for each community using our Bin Site Locations and Status Chart (coming soon).

View the Bin Site Transition Plan 2023 Annual Report for updates on:

  • Sites already transitioned
  • Sites planned for consultation and community engagement
  • Proposed 2024 activities
  • Transition of remaining bin sites

View updates on current bin sites that are in the process of being transitioned or have been recently completed:

North Muldrew Lake Road and South Muldrew Lake Road (Gravenhurst)

Rowanwood Road (Huntsville)


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

The District Municipality of Muskoka’s Bin Site Transition Plan is an ongoing initiative to transition Muskoka’s previously unstaffed and unsupervised dumpster sites to long-term, alternate waste collection service that is licensed and environmentally sustainable.

With guidance given by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), this transition involves replacing community bin sites with Ministry-approved waste collection alternatives, such as curbside and lakeside waste collection, along with the establishment of new drop-off depots.

Through this initiative, we seek to achieve several key objectives:

Discover more about our Bin Site Transition Plan and how we’re re-shaping waste collection services in Muskoka by viewing our Waste Collection Alternate Servicing Study Terms of Reference, which highlights:

  • How our plan aligns with the District’s Waste Management Strategy
  • Insights into Muskoka’s diverse bin sites and their unique environments
  • The process behind implementing alternative services
  • The crucial role community consultation plays in shaping our approach

Have your say!

Waste Collection Surveys are crafted to gather your valuable input on the bin site transition process, enabling us to deliver efficient, sustainable waste collection services considering the unique needs of each community. We also work closely with marinas and cottage associations to shape future waste servicing. Your contribution makes a difference!

Surveys currently open for feedback include:

  • Campbell's Landing Marina and Villas Marina Bin Sites Survey (Coming soon)

Current lakeside waste collection and existing services

Some communities have already made the transition away from dumpster bins to new lakeside waste collection servicing. Learn more about which community is receiving Lakeside waste collection and the collection event schedule for each community.

You can also learn more about curbside garbage collection for eligible properties, green bin organics and recycling.

Active consultation updates

Consultation has begun and is ongoing with stakeholders. Final transition dates and alternate servicing continue to be investigated. Learn which communities are currently being consulted with:

Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Spirit Bay (Bracebridge)

Milne Road, Rignalls Road, Bird Lake Road and Black River/Clear Lake Road (Bracebridge)

  • The District’s long-term planning team is considering area preferences for a permanent drop-off depot for the Highway 118 community.
  • View the Highway 118 Community Survey Summary for the site. Results have been reviewed by stakeholders.

Fish Lake Road at Maws Road (Huntsville)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • Consultation is continuing with the Township of Perry.

Campbell's Landing Marina and Villas Marina (Muskoka Lakes)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • Given the large number of islanders accessing bins on both the southwest/Gravenhurst side of Lake Muskoka and the southeast/Bracebridge side of Lake Muskoka, the long-term planning team continues to develop comprehensive final servicing plans.
  • Transitions on both sides of the lake will occur together.

East Bay Landing and Bala Cove Marina (Muskoka Lakes)

  • Preliminary meetings have been held with key stakeholders.
  • The long-term planning team is investigating alternate servicing options.

Township of Georgian Bay

  • Consultation is continuing with the Township of Georgian Bay.

New drop-off depot updates

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

View the latest updates to new depots or view the most recent District Staff Report around the new depots’ development to learn about facility updates:

Housey's Rapids Depot

  • Supports the Riley Lake Road community in Gravenhurst.
  • Construction has begun with tree removal in February 2024. Work (such as construction and fencing) will continue over the next few months to prepare the site for the new depot.
  • The District continues to work with the Town of Gravenhurst to finalize approvals required for the site, such as the Site Plan Approval and License of Use agreement.
  • Final Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) was issued in May 2023. View more details in the Neighbourhood Notification – Housey’s Rapids Depot letter to area residents.

Southwood Depot

  • Supports the Nine Mile Marina community in Muskoka Lakes.
  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report are currently being developed and submission of the ECA application is expected in 2024.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders is currently underway.

Beaumont Depot

  • Supports the Lake Muskoka community.
  • A Site Plan and Design and Operations Report are currently being developed and submission of the ECA application is expected in 2024.
  • Consultation with local stakeholders is currently underway.

Other depot sites

  • The District is investigating the development of new depots to support the Skeleton Lake community and Beaumont Drive community (including Allport Marina, Pride of Muskoka and Strawberry Bay).
  • Site Plans, Design and Operations Reports and consultation with stakeholders took place in 2023 in support of the ECA application.

Transition status for community bin sites

View the transition status and consultation opportunities for each community using our Bin Site Locations and Status Chart (coming soon).

View the Bin Site Transition Plan 2023 Annual Report for updates on:

  • Sites already transitioned
  • Sites planned for consultation and community engagement
  • Proposed 2024 activities
  • Transition of remaining bin sites

View updates on current bin sites that are in the process of being transitioned or have been recently completed:

North Muldrew Lake Road and South Muldrew Lake Road (Gravenhurst)

Rowanwood Road (Huntsville)


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

Page last updated: 25 Jul 2024, 03:25 PM