The District of Muskokas’ already stressed waste management facilities continued to see increased use last year.
According to a recent report from Renee Recoskie, the District Waste Management and Environmental Services Director, Muskoka’s waste facilities managed more than 420,000 transactions in 2023. That number is a 5 per cent increase over 2022.
The increase is not ideal, as Muskoka is predicted to run out of landfill space in less than ten years.
The District is expected to kick off its solid waste master plan next year, which will look at options for future disposal capacity and it may include a new landfill. It may also include exporting Muskoka’s waste elsewhere as well as looking at alternatives such as incineration. Ultimately, whether to pursue recommendations from municipal staff will rest with District Council.
The busiest sites last year were Rosewarne in Bracebridge, Eveleigh in Muskoka Lakes, Beiers in Gravenhurst, and McLean in Lake of Bays.
The report indicates that usage of the Stisted Transfer Station was lower than expected, considering the area of Huntsville it covers. Stisted averages 46 transactions a day, whereas Rosewarne averages 307.
While the numbers are up for 2023, the report indicates they are comparable to 2021.
With files from Tamara de la Vega.
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Having the experience of living in York Region and noticing the methods used there for disposal, we have a long way to go here in Muskoka. First, I see seasonal residents coming north with their garbage because we have a very generous bag limit. This needs to stop! Second, we need to accomodate people disposing of large household items who do not have a vehicle to transport them to Stisted. And third, big fines for littering. Maybe that will help the constant disposal of garbage left along our roadsides.
It’s no surprise that the Stisted site has far less visits. It is ridiculously far out of town, on roads that are treacherous a lot of the year. Considering it is only a transfer station now, and not an operating dump, it should be moved closer to town (Madill yard maybe?). Perhaps then we may see less abandoned junk left around.
More people in these areas means more garbage in these areas, simple math. More and more people are moving north to get away from the south 🤷♂️
I have often asked why we don’t have an incinerator for garbage. This will shrink garbage.