Solid Waste Master Plan

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.

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.

What we accomplished in Phase 2 (completed December 2025)

Engaged with the public in a variety of formats:

• In person open houses

• Virtual lunch and learns - videos of our open houses are available here for the June 2025 meeting, and here for the September 2025 meeting

• Online surveys

• Community Pop-ups

• Summary available in link here: Phase 2 Engagement Report

Received Council approval to:

• Have the Master Plan take a moderate approach regarding level of ambition

• Assume the financial modelling maintains the hybrid funding model and introduces a mandatory bag-tag system for all users

Identified and finalized a short-list of recommended options:

• Short-listed Options Report available here: SWMP Phase 2 Short-Listed Options

What we will accomplish in Phase 3 (planned for completion mid-2026)

Share the recommended options:

• Seek feedback on the risks and mitigation measures

• Establish implementation timelines

Work with the project's subconsultants on funding models and costing:

• Develop a fully costed business case and financial plan

Identify performance measures, Prepare the final SWMP report and create a short-term implementation plan.