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Waste & Recycling

Waste Site Hours of Operation - All Sites: CLICK HERE

2024 FoodCycler Program Update

Last year, Archipelago residents provided glowing reviews about how satisfied they were with the organic waste diversion they witnessed while using their FoodCyclers. According to the user feedback data, each FoodCycler unit purchased within the Township diverted nearly 330kg of waste from our landfills per year!  

The Archipelago is excited to continue offering FoodCyclers to residents at a subsidized rate in 2024. 

With a limited number of units available act fast to get yours. Visit https://www.fcs-events.com/foodcycler-archipelago

Payment Methods 

There are three new payment methods for disposal fees at the transfer stations and Site 9 Landfill. As of July 1, 2023, cash is no longer accepted.

PayPal (via QR Code) 
When you arrive at the transfer stations or landfill, the attendant will inform you of any applicable fees for payable items according to Waste By-Law 2022-08. You will then scan the QR Code displayed with your cell phone, enter the dollar value, complete the transaction, and present the attendant with the confirmation of payment. We recommend you download the PayPal app and create an account prior to going to the transfer stations and landfill to save yourself time.

Waste Tags
Waste Tags can be purchased at the Township Office, Holiday Cove Marina, and Site 9 (via the debit terminal). Please check our website for updates on where waste tags can be purchased. Waste Tags are $2.50 per tag and must be purchased in advance and provided to the attendant upon waste disposal.  

Debit Terminal (Site 9)
The option to pay via debit terminal is only available at Site 9 Landfill. The debit terminal is the preferred method of payment at Site 9.

Contractors can still use the billing system for disposal at Site 9 and the applicable transfer stations. 

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, please submit a Service Request or contact the Township office at 705-746-4243 ext. 338. A new waste card will be sent to you by regular mail or arrangements can be made for you to pick up at the Township office. Please note that the cards don’t have an expiry date.

Recycling Guide 

Waste Facilities

The Township operates one landfill site (Site 9) which is located approximately 7kms south of Pointe au Baril Station, west of Highway 69 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.

Video surveillance is in effect at all waste facilities. Anyone found contravening the Waste By-law will be subject to enforcement action.

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.

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.  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. Starting in 2022, this location will be staffed and your waste card will be required. 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 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.
 
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.

Commercial Fee Relief for Residential Dwellings on Commercial Properties 

The purpose of this application form is to provide commercial waste disposal fee relief for residential dwellings producing household waste only, while existing on a commercial property.  The residential dwelling waste must not be related to the commercial enterprise operation of providing goods and/or services for profit, or directly supporting providing goods and/or services for profit. 


An accepted application will be awarded 52 waste tags, equating to disposal of one standard household waste bag per week for the residential dwelling approved.  Such application must be submitted each year for approval.  Waste tags are to be surrendered to the Transfer Station attendant upon each waste delivery.  No additional tags will be given than the annual, or pro-related, allotment.

Commercial waste fees will continue to apply for all commercial generated waste as defined and scheduled in the Waste By-Law.