05/12/2026
Welcome back to those just returning to the island for the summer, and welcome to those who are new or visiting. Here is a friendly refresher on how garbage and recycling work on Drummond Island, along with a few updates worth knowing about.
First, the news. Recycling moves to the summer schedule this week.
Drummond Island Township provides recycling at the trailers on the corner of Townline Road and Pine Street, next to the ice rink and just a couple doors from township hall. The blue recycling cart will be picked up and emptied on Monday and Thursday mornings, and the trailers are otherwise available for drop-off any time. The big white trailer for flattened, clean cardboard boxes is picked up whenever it is full. When loading that trailer, please follow the signage inside and load from the back to the front, all the way to the ceiling.
What goes in the blue recycling trailer:
Glass bottles and jars, clean, any color, no lids
Metal cans, aerosol cans, aluminum foil, and metal lids
Newspapers, envelopes, magazines, and paper bags
Plastic containers numbered 1 through 7, clean only (NOT bags)
What does not go in:
Plastic bags or plastic sheets of any kind Styrofoam, vinyl siding,
PVC, toys, furniture, or paper cups
Window glass, dishes, ceramics, light bulbs, batteries, or electronics Garbage, syringes, or medical waste
Everything in the trailer needs to be loose, clean, and sorted. Plastic bags cause major delays for Northern Transitions, our recycling partner, so if your recyclables arrive in a bag, please empty them into the blue trailer and take the bag home. If you are not sure about an item, leave it out. That one small choice protects the whole program.
Now for garbage.
Drummond Island Township does not provide garbage service, and the gas stations on the island are no longer offering bag drop-off. GFL ended that service recently in keeping with state rules, so we have all been adjusting together. Thank you for your patience and for taking good care of the island while we get into a new rhythm.
The Drummond Island Garbologist transfer station, run by Carl Hartman, is now the only legal place to drop off your household garbage on the island. It is located at 33648 E Johnswood Road, next door to the Country Store and across from Chuck's Place. Bags are available for purchase on-site at $5 per bag or 11 bags for $50.
Garbage drop-off and bag purchase hours:
Monday: 10 am to 8 pm
Tuesday: 10 am to 8 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8 am to 5 pm
Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 8 pm
If you would rather have your garbage picked up at your home, Carl also offers cart service through Drummond Island Garbologist, with weekly or biweekly pickup and special pricing for single seniors. Visit digarbologist.com or call (906) 493-5926.
GFL still offers dumpster service for those who would like a dumpster on their property. Any questions about GFL bags or dumpsters can go directly to them at (906) 635-3380.
For electronics, batteries, and other specialty items, Reina Recycling in Sault Ste. Marie is your spot. They are at 401 Fort Street, open Saturdays from 2 to 5 pm, or call (906) 748-7614 to arrange a weekday drop-off.
One last thing worth a gentle reminder: Drummond Island does not have public trash cans around the island the way you might find in other places. If you are heading out on the trails, please bring a bag and pack out whatever you bring in. Pack it in, pack it out.
Thank you for helping keep our island as beautiful as it is. And thank you to the many volunteers who recently cleaned up our trails and roadsides. Each of us can help with that. If you see it, pick it up. Every little bit makes a difference!
