Marina Bin Site Transition in Georgian Bay Township

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marina Bin Site Transition in Georgian Bay Township?
TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BAY, ON March 16, 2026
Who is responsible for Waste Management Services?

• Waste management services, including garbage disposal facilities and transfer stations, are owned and administered by the District Municipality of Muskoka (DMM), not the Township of Georgian Bay.
• Recycling services are delivered through Ontario’s producer responsibility framework, administered by Circular Materials, with collection and hauling provided by contracted service providers. The Township does not operate, manage, or control either the District’s garbage system or the recycling system, including decisions related to service locations, service levels, or service transitions.

Who was responsible for the removal of unsupervised bin sites?

The removal of unsupervised bin sites was mandated by the Province of Ontario. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) directed the District of Muskoka to transition away from unlicensed and unsupervised bin sites, which did not meet Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) requirements and in their opinion posed environmental and operational risks.

Where are we supposed to put our garbage now?

The District of Muskoka continues to operate multiple waste facilities and services within the Township of Georgian Bay. These supervised transfer stations and depots include the Baxter Transfer Station, Honey Harbour Depot, South Gibson Depot and Tower Road Transfer Station. Residents can use any of the licensed drop-off facilities across the District.
https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/garbage-and-recycling/drop-off-locations-and-landfill.aspx

What is the waste fee proposed by marinas?

The Township has been made aware that some marinas have chosen to establish private waste collection arrangements for their patrons and may be charging fees for those services.
These arrangements are entirely private, are not directed, managed, approved, or overseen by the Township or the District, and municipalities have no role in setting fees, determining service levels, or administering those programs.

Will the Township of Georgian Bay or the District of Muskoka compensate those residents who choose private waste management services available at marinas.

• By eliminating the unlicensed and unsupervised bin sites the operating and disposal costs have been significantly reduced within the solid waste system. Accordingly, the original 2026 solid waste levy forecast for Georgian Bay Township was reduced by nearly 20%, resulting in an approximate 12% decrease from the 2025 solid waste levy portion of the tax bill. This occurred despite an overall projected 7.5% increase across the solid waste program District wide.
• As the previous bin site service level was funded collectively by all Georgian Bay solid waste ratepayers, the resulting cost reductions are being applied and distributed through the levy in the same manner.

What happens next?

The Township of Georgian Bay continues to actively work with the District of Muskoka on future waste system improvements, including advocacy for a bag‑tag or user‑pay style system, or similar mechanisms. These tools are intended to better align costs with actual waste generation, reward residents who reduce waste and increase diversion, and help lower overall system costs over time. Council and Township of Georgian Bay staff have consistently supported further exploration of these approaches at the District of Muskoka level.

The Township acknowledges that the waste collection changes have been disruptive for some residents, particularly water‑access property owners, and will continue to advocate on behalf of its community to ensure waste services are fair, environmentally responsible, and financially sustainable.

For more information on this topic please contact Dr. Greg Mariotti, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Georgian Bay by email at gmariotti@gbtownship.ca
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