The site was originally designed for seasonal use and is no longer meeting the needs of the growing community. It lacks essential infrastructure such as electricity, a weigh scale, and reliable internet or cellular service, and often experiences congestion and safety concerns.

County staff have proposed three options:

• Option 1: Close the current site and relocate operations to the closed Medonte site (Site 9).
• Option 2: Expand the current Matchedash site to improve capacity and services.
• Option 3: Limit operations to curbside waste collection/transfer only, while upgrading basic facilities.

The proposed relocation site is the closed Medonte site (Site 9) at 1675 Anderson Line, Severn Township. It is already zoned for waste drop-off and transfer purposes.

Although closed to the public since 2005, the Medonte site remains a designated waste site. It was recently used for brush drop-off following the Spring 2025 ice storm, demonstrating its potential for future use. The Medonte site also offers greater potential to serve the largest number of residents. There are less than 5000 households within 20 minutes of the Matchedash site whereas the Medonte site has more than 15000 households within a 20 minute drive. 

In 2013, the site processed 902 tonnes of waste from 5,361 transactions. By 2024, this had more than doubled to 1,985 tonnes from 9,443 transactions, highlighting the growing demand.

We received 825 survey responses and 308 providing additional comments, with majority of respondents supporting staying at the current location; 57% of residents expressed a preference for upgrading and expanding the current Matchedash Waste Facility.

Respondents emphasized the convenience, accessibility, and reliability of the Matchedash site. They also expressed concerns about the budget and cost of upgrades, with several indicating they believe the Matchedash Site works efficiently in its current design.

After reviewing this input, County Council has decided to maintain the site’s current design for 2026. To help manage usage, volume-based rate increases will be introduced to reduce commercial traffic. At this time, investing $3.13 million to upgrade and expand the site is not considered justified due to relatively low usage and based on public feedback.

Looking ahead, data collected in 2026 will guide future decisions on potential upgrades or relocation. Following this review, staff will reassess the need for changes to the Matchedash site.