Solid Waste Master Plan

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Phase 2 Engagement begins: Help shape the Future of Waste!

The SWMP is a bold, long-term strategy that will guide how Muskoka manages waste for the next 30 years, well beyond the life of our current landfill. With landfill space rapidly disappearing across Ontario, Muskoka has made great strides in extending the life of its only landfill. But the question remains: how much more can we do and how far are we willing to go?

This is your chance to weigh in. Through these open houses, the District wants to hear your ideas and perspectives on how to create a sustainable waste management system in the future.

  • In-Person Open House: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 between 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Partners Hall, Huntsville (within Algonquin Theatre – 37 Main Street E Huntsville)
    • Format: A low-waste, family-friendly, event that will allow residents to directly engage with the Solid Waste Master Plan team and provide feedback through interactive activities.
  • In-Person Open House: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 between 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, Bracebridge (Leon’s Auditorium - 56 Salmon Avenue)
    • Format: A low-waste, family-friendly, event that will allow residents to directly engage with the Solid Waste Master Plan team and provide feedback through interactive activities.
  • Virtual Lunch and Learn Webinar: Thursday, June 5, 2025 between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Format: Virtual open house offering an overview of the Solid Waste Master Plan and a Q&A platform. Webinar recording will be available following the session.

Have questions in the meantime? Residents are welcome to reach out with any questions related to the project by emailing waste@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2100.

Solid Waste Master Plan: To guide waste management for the next 30 years.

At the District of Muskoka, we are exploring options to guide Muskoka’s waste management goals and objectives for the next 30 years. The Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP) is a long-term plan on how waste should be managed within our community. We are looking for your input on the waste programs, education, and services we provide, as well as potential new programs.

Each person's efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle contribute to a cleaner, healthier Muskoka. Your participation and input is a valuable part of this process and will shape the master plan. Let’s make sustainable waste practices a community-wide priority and ensure a more sustainable future for Muskoka. Throughout this project you’ll have an opportunity to participate and we want to hear from you - no matter how many months of the year you live here.

This update will explore solid waste management options to guide Muskoka’s waste management goals and objectives for the next 30 years. The plan will define how Muskoka’s solid waste management system will adapt to our growing community and the evolving nature of the waste management industry.

We will be engaging the public throughout the process to help prioritize and streamline decision-making to create a sustainable, socially acceptable, and an economically and financially viable model for waste management over the next 30 years.

One of the District’s key priorities is waste reduction, and we have ambitious targets:

  • Reduce garbage generation by 10% by 2030, 25% by 2050.
  • Divert 60% of all solid waste from landfill by 2030, 80% by 2050.

Phase 2 Engagement begins: Help shape the Future of Waste!

The SWMP is a bold, long-term strategy that will guide how Muskoka manages waste for the next 30 years, well beyond the life of our current landfill. With landfill space rapidly disappearing across Ontario, Muskoka has made great strides in extending the life of its only landfill. But the question remains: how much more can we do and how far are we willing to go?

This is your chance to weigh in. Through these open houses, the District wants to hear your ideas and perspectives on how to create a sustainable waste management system in the future.

  • In-Person Open House: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 between 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Partners Hall, Huntsville (within Algonquin Theatre – 37 Main Street E Huntsville)
    • Format: A low-waste, family-friendly, event that will allow residents to directly engage with the Solid Waste Master Plan team and provide feedback through interactive activities.
  • In-Person Open House: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 between 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    • Location: Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, Bracebridge (Leon’s Auditorium - 56 Salmon Avenue)
    • Format: A low-waste, family-friendly, event that will allow residents to directly engage with the Solid Waste Master Plan team and provide feedback through interactive activities.
  • Virtual Lunch and Learn Webinar: Thursday, June 5, 2025 between 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • Format: Virtual open house offering an overview of the Solid Waste Master Plan and a Q&A platform. Webinar recording will be available following the session.

Have questions in the meantime? Residents are welcome to reach out with any questions related to the project by emailing waste@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2100.

Solid Waste Master Plan: To guide waste management for the next 30 years.

At the District of Muskoka, we are exploring options to guide Muskoka’s waste management goals and objectives for the next 30 years. The Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP) is a long-term plan on how waste should be managed within our community. We are looking for your input on the waste programs, education, and services we provide, as well as potential new programs.

Each person's efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle contribute to a cleaner, healthier Muskoka. Your participation and input is a valuable part of this process and will shape the master plan. Let’s make sustainable waste practices a community-wide priority and ensure a more sustainable future for Muskoka. Throughout this project you’ll have an opportunity to participate and we want to hear from you - no matter how many months of the year you live here.

This update will explore solid waste management options to guide Muskoka’s waste management goals and objectives for the next 30 years. The plan will define how Muskoka’s solid waste management system will adapt to our growing community and the evolving nature of the waste management industry.

We will be engaging the public throughout the process to help prioritize and streamline decision-making to create a sustainable, socially acceptable, and an economically and financially viable model for waste management over the next 30 years.

One of the District’s key priorities is waste reduction, and we have ambitious targets:

  • Reduce garbage generation by 10% by 2030, 25% by 2050.
  • Divert 60% of all solid waste from landfill by 2030, 80% by 2050.

  • Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 2, Summer 2025)

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    Over the next few weeks, our Solid Waste Project team will be at various locations across Muskoka to share exciting updates and gather your input on the future of waste management as Phase 2 of the Master Plan begins. Stop by our pop-up booth to learn more about the Solid Waste Master Plan, take our diversion challenge, and enter our green bin giveaway!

    Here's where you can find us:

    • Gravenhurst:
      • Farmers Market - Wednesday, August 6 from 9am to 2pm
    • Georgian Bay:
      • Repair Cafe and Community Yard Sale - Saturday, June 14 from 9am to 12pm
    • Muskoka Lakes:
      • EnviroHub, Port Carling Community Centre - Saturday, May 31 from 9am to 12pm

    See you there!

  • Engagement Series 1: Solid Waste Master Plan Survey

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    How to participate

    Your feedback is important.

    The District is starting its update to the SWMP which is a long-term plan on how waste should be managed within our community.

    Thank you to everyone who participated in the District's first We are looking for your input on the waste programs, education, and services the District of Muskoka provides, as well as potential new programs. The goal of the survey is to learn more about your experience with handling waste like recyclables, organics, and garbage. Waste management is a shared responsibility that involves every member of our community. Your input will inform the vision, guiding principles, goals, and objectives of the SWMP.

    Thank you for completing our SWMP survey.

    We're here to help - contact us at waste@muskoka.on.ca or 705-645-2100

  • Join the Conversation: Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 1, Summer and Fall 2024)

    Share Join the Conversation: Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 1, Summer and Fall 2024) on Facebook Share Join the Conversation: Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 1, Summer and Fall 2024) on Twitter Share Join the Conversation: Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 1, Summer and Fall 2024) on Linkedin Email Join the Conversation: Visit Our Pop-Up Booths and Shape Muskoka's Waste Future! (Phase 1, Summer and Fall 2024) link
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    We're hitting the road! Over the next few weeks, our Solid Waste Project team will be at various locations across Muskoka to share exciting updates and gather your input on the future of waste management. Stop by our pop-up booth to learn more about the Solid Waste Master Plan, take our diversion challenge, and enter our green bin giveaway!

    Here's where you can find us:

    • Huntsville:
      • Canada Summit Center - Friday, September 27 from 4pm to 7pm
    • Gravenhurst:
      • YMCA - Thursday October 3 from 9:30am to 1pm
    • Bracebridge:
      • Muskoka Lumber Community Center - Sunday, September 29 from 12pm to 3pm
      • Muskoka Lumber Community Centre - Friday, October 4 (2024 Muskoka Summit on the Environment)
      • Your Independent Grocer - Sunday, October 6 from 12pm to 4pm - cancelled due to inclement weather.
    • Georgian Bay:
      • Honeybee Festival - Saturday, September 28 from 8am to 3pm
    • Lake of Bays:
      • Lunch Bunch - Wednesday, September 25 from 11:30am to 1pm
    • Muskoka Lakes:
      • Foodland - Tuesday, October 1 from 2pm to 6pm


    See you there!


  • Stay Informed

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    Please visit this page often for updates and announcements, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

    Below is a snapshot of some other Muskoka waste-related updates

    • Bin Site Transition Project - 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.

    • Clear Bag Program - a community commitment aimed to ensure that waste entering Muskoka’s only landfill is properly sorted, reducing recyclables and compostable material in our garbage bags. Many municipalities have successfully implemented similar programs, showing improvements in waste diversion rates and increased awareness about proper waste management practices. Subject to District Council’s approval the curbside clear bag program is set to start in early 2025 and at waste facilities in early 2026.

Page last updated: 27 May 2025, 07:55 AM