Drop-Off Locations and Landfill

The installation of temporary barriers is underway at all District Waste Facilities. Please avoid climbing over the barriers or using elevated trailers/truck beds to hover over them. Please adhere to the provided signage and instructions to ensure everyone's safety.

If you encounter challenges with lifting materials over the barriers, such as large loads, specific material types, or tip trailers, you can be redirected to the Rosewarne Landfill. This alternate solution aims to provide a smoother waste disposal experience.

Safety first: Our priority is the safety of our community members and staff. These changes are necessary to mitigate potential hazards and create a safer waste drop-off experience.

Ongoing assessment: This temporary barrier system will grant us the time needed to thoroughly assess and develop more permanent solutions for efficient and secure waste drop-off across the District. Your cooperation during this assessment phase is greatly appreciated.

We appreciate your cooperation and support as we work towards creating safer and more efficient waste drop-off areas. Your feedback and concerns are valuable to us. Please feel free to contact us at waste@muskoka.on.ca for any inquiries, feedback, or assistance.

Change has become necessary to Muskoka’s waste program to reduce garbage and extend the life of Muskoka’s one remaining landfill. Top municipalities in the province recycle, reduce and divert over 60 per cent of their waste, while Muskoka sits at 34 per cent waste diversion. We need your help to increase our diversion rate.

Garbage:
Reducing garbage is critical to extend the life of Muskoka’s one remaining landfill and ensure a secure, long-term way to manage garbage. Residents can deliver two standard-size bags of garbage to transfer stations weekly, at no charge. Each bag after that is $8 per bag. Garbage bags must not exceed 25 kg / 55 lbs. 

Green bin organics:
To help offset material going in the garbage, organics collection is offered at all District transfer stations at no charge to residents. Learn what can and can't go in organics bins on the Green Bin Organics page.

Recycling:
Recycling right also contributes to reducing divertible materials from entering the landfill and is accepted at no charge for residents at transfer stations. Learn more about how to recycle right on the Recycling page.

Waste sites are out in the elements. They can be muddy in the spring and fall, snowy and icy in the winter and dusty and hot in the summer. Please wear close-toed footwear (like boots or running shoes) when attending the site.

The terrain can be uneven. Please watch your step and ensure you have clear sightlines if carrying objects.

Waste facilities can attract wildlife, including bears. Bears may seem fun to watch, but they view garbage and litter as their food source. If you see a bear at our site, do not approach it or walk towards it. When bears are present, sites may be temporarily closed for public safety. 

Loitering is prohibited. Even though waste sites may seem like a fun place to bird watch, bear watch or catch up with neighbours, for your safety we ask that the sites only be used to dispose of waste. Stay in the marked areas, attend only to deposit waste and recycling and please exit the site as soon as you are done disposing of your waste.

Staff at District Waste Facilities follow numerous procedures to comply with legislation and to ensure the personal safety of residents and staff. Customers entering waste facilities use the facility at their own risk. For the safety of themselves and others, customers must:

• always obey the road signs and directions of site attendants
• declare the material you are bringing in for disposal
• ensure animals are not permitted to exit the vehicle
• ensure your load is secure
  
  • ensure all items on your vehicle/trailer are secure, to avoid items falling out and causing an accident
  • unsecured loads could earn you a fine under the Highway Traffic Act
  • tarping your load will also help to reduce litter

Use at your own risk

The District of Muskoka makes every effort to ensure waste facilities are safe for residents to use, however the District is not responsible for injury or damage to vehicles caused by use of the sites. Bins and other surface objects at sites are not sanitized.

All water-access property owners can use any licensed waste facility listed under the Drop-off Locations and Landfill Hours section of this page.
The bag limit per week is two standard-size bags, unlimited household recycling and unlimited household green bin organic material.

2024 quick reference guide

Wood and foam from old docks is garbage. Materials should be brought to a District Transfer Station in manageable sized pieces for disposal.

A disposal fee based on weight is in effect for docks and dock foam. Polystyrene foam, also known as unencapsulated dock foam, is not recyclable and is managed as garbage. Metal is accepted at no charge and may be separated from the dock to avoid disposal fees.

Freon removal is required; a fee applies if it's not removed. Items must be delivered to any transfer station.

Good, used furniture can be donated, sold, or repurposed. 

For end of life furniture, a disposal fee applies, items must be delivered to any transfer station. 

Properly disposing of invasive plant species is important to prevent further spreading of these plants in Muskoka.

Materials left curbside or brought to a transfer station will not be accepted.

Steps to dispose of all invasive plant species:

• Place all plant material in heavy duty, construction grade black garbage bags. Seal the bags tightly and cover any holes in the bag with tape. When bagging root material, minimize the amount of soil being disposed of.
• Don’t burn or compost the plants as this could lead to propagation and an increase of the plants on your property.
• Garbage bags with plant material must be left in direct sunlight for a minimum of three weeks (21 days) to help kill plant material. This process is known as solarization.
• Garbage bags with invasive plant species can only be taken to the Rosewarne Landfill in Bracebridge. To ensure equipment is available to receive these materials, a pre-arranged appointment must be made for disposal.
• To request an appointment, please fill in a request form here.  A member of the Solid Waste Team will contact you to arrange a date and time when materials can be received.

For information on how to identify some of Muskoka’s most common invasive plants please visit the links provided below:

Giant Hogweed
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/giant-hogweed-2/

Invasive Phragmites
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/invasive-phragmites-2/

Japanese Knotweed
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/plants/japanese-knotweed-2/

Other invasive plants in Ontario
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/terrestrial-plants/

1200 Twelve Mile Bay Road, Georgian Bay 
Acceptable Material: Drop-off location for household bagged garbage and recycling only from the first Monday in May to the last Sunday in October. Closed for the balance of the year.

1020 Oxtongue Rapids Park Road, Dwight
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

2475 Honey Harbour Rd., Georgian Bay
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Please note, the Honey Harbour Depot is open from 12 pm to 8 pm on the following Holiday Mondays:

• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day

21909 Hwy. 35, Dorset
NOTE: No Scales 

Please note, the Ridout Transfer Station is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm on the following Holiday Mondays:

• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day

1091 Rosewarne Dr, Bracebridge
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

1931 Limberlost Road 

Please note, the Sinclair Transfer Station is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm on the following Holiday Mondays:

• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day

181 South Gibson Rd., Georgian Bay
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Please note, the South Gibson Depot is open from 12 pm to 8 pm on the following Holiday Mondays:

• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day