Waste & Recycling

NOTICE:  COVID-19 and Change in Operations

In light of the current COVID-19 global pandemic, the Operations unit at the Township of The Archipelago is adapting measures to ensure the safety of our staff and our residents.  Effective immediately, we are taking the following steps at our waste/transfer facilities:
•Direction to staff  to limit their interactions with our facility users including social distancing (maintaining a 1 to 2 metre distance from other individuals).
•Direction to staff to not directly handle user’s waste.  We ask for cooperation from the public to dispose of their refuse and materials themselves.
•Use of available Township issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when interfacing with the public.
•Please note that due to health and safety concerns including COVID-19, the Township has changed it's policy and staff will no longer be permitted to handle and/or collect liquor and beer empties for return. 

It is unfortunate that we must take these steps, but as an organization we feel that it is in the best interest of all of us to take any and all necessary precautions at this time to ensure the health and safety of our employees and residents.  That being said, we want to assure you that our organization will continue, to the extent possible, to be responsive to your needs.

We will, as always, do everything that we can to support you.  If you have any questions or concerns about any of the foregoing, please feel free to contact the Township office.  Thank you.

Waste Management

In 2014, the Township engaged the services of Azimuth Environmental Consulting Inc. to complete a Waste Recycling Strategy that identified methods by which the waste management system could become more efficient and effective and the recycling of waste material could be increased.  Please refer to the Waste Recycling Strategy for more information regarding the Township’s waste management system.
 
Waste By-law 12-19 regulates the Township's waste management system and establishes tipping fees.  For more information, please see the Accepted Items and Fees section.
 
On April 11, 2019 the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks' requested public feedback on the Reducing Litter and Waste in Our Communities Discussion Paper, which expands upon commitments in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. This paper poses questions that will help guide future decision-making to divert more waste from landfill.  Please see below, a copy of the discussion paper, as and the Townships response to the discussion paper.
 

Waste Facilities

The Township operates one landfill site (Site 9) which is located approximately 7 kms south of Pointe au Baril Station, west of Highway 400 at 10 Site 9 Road.  The Township also operates eight transfer stations: 
  • three in the north portion of The Archipelago (Bayfield, Pointe au Baril and Skerryvore)
  • three in the south portion of The Archipelago (Crane, Healey and Woods Bay)
  • two water-access sites on Georgian Bay in the south portion of The Archipelago (Devil's Elbow and Sheep Head). 
For more information regarding site locations and hours of operations, please see the appropriate sections below.
 
All of the Township's waste sites are staffed to assist you and provide information and guidance with respect to the disposal of waste and recycling.  If you are unsure of where to dispose of an item, staff attendants are available at all sites to offer assistance and guidance. 
 
Please note that it is a ratepayers' responsibility to sort their household garbage and blue box materials prior to arriving at the waste site.  Staff will not open or sort your household garbage or recyclables for you.

Agreements with Neighbouring Townships

The Township of The Archipelago has an Agreement with The Town of Parry Sound for the disposal of household waste, recycling and household hazardous waste at its MacFarlane Street Transfer Station.  In September 2020, the Township upgraded its operation at the Town's MacFarlane site by placing a compaction bin on site for CONTAINER DISPOSAL ONLY.  Please speak to the site attendant upon arrival to ensure that your recyclable items are disposed of in the proper bins.  

You will be required to present your Archipelago Waste Card as proof of residency to use this site.  Please visit the Town of Parry Sound's website for hours of operation.  Please note that commercial hazardous waste is not accepted at the MacFarlane Street Transfer Station.

The Township also has an Agreement with The District Municipality of Muskoka for the use by Archipelago residents of its Twelve Mile Bay Depot only.  Please note that this site only operates during the summer months and only accepts household bagged garbage and sorted recycling.  It is an unstaffed site equipped with video surveillance.  Illegal dumping is in violation of Provincial statutes and Municipal by-laws. 

Clear Plastic Bags

It is mandatory that all household garbage and/or recyclables be placed in clear plastic bags.  Open recycling containers are also acceptable.

The Archipelago is committed to operating safe and efficient waste and recycling facilities.  The Township adopted a "clear bag program” as a cost-effective measure to increase the diversion of recyclable materials from the waste stream.  As well, implementing a clear bag program improves worker safety and protects staff, as they are able to conduct a quick assessment of the contents and ensure that there are no hazardous items inside that could cause injury, such as broken glass or needles, oil, paint, pharmaceuticals, etc. 

Waste Disposal Cards

All users of the Township’s waste disposal facilities must present a waste disposal card to the attendant.  If you are a new owner of property in the Township and require a card, or if you need to replace a card that was misplaced or damaged, you may obtain one at the Township office or alternatively, you can submit a Service Request or contact the Township office at 705-746-4243 Ext. 338.  A new waste card can be sent to you by regular mail or picked up at the Township office.  Please note that the cards don’t have an expiry date. 

Enforcement

Anyone found contravening the Waste By-law will be subject to enforcement action.  Please report any abuse by contacting the Township’s By-law Enforcement Department.