Built to last: Algonquin Park

Photo credit: Dylan McLeod

Save money for years (and years and years), and the savings wasn’t even the problem they were originally trying to solve.

It’s easy to be excited about an upcoming project or one that just went into service and it’s natural to forget the past.

Mark Hillis, our CEO & President, recently had the opportunity to take a good look at a Molok installation almost 20 years later. Algonquin Park is one of Canada’s most wonderful and cherished parks, and receives a million visitors a year, from all over the world. And what we know about people – is the more people, the more waste. And then there’s the bears who love snacking on waste.

In 2006, the Park began a review of their options and in 2007 they had 137 Molok containers, many with bear proof lids installed, to significantly increase waste stream diversion (which worked and the team won an ECO-award) and to keep out the bears. For everyone’s safety.

Just a few of the Molok containers at the Algonquin Park Visitor Centre.

The efficiency of the Molok system was so effective that the capital cost of the change was recovered within 2-years.

If you’re not sure how our containers would save you money, we encourage you to speak with a sales consultant (Today! Don’t delay!). Quick synopsis – going partially underground increases compaction (thanks gravity!) and moderates temperature which slows decomposition. All of this means the containers need to be emptied less often. And fewer collections, saves you money.

Over the years, additional containers have been added throughout the Park as needed. Today there are 160 units. 

In 2025, the Park was looking for a new collection service provider. Mark journeyed north on a very, very cold winter morning as the Molok subject matter expert to answer any and all questions from the various companies looking to bid on this multi-million dollar collection contract.

A very chilly -30.5 celsius at the park mid-winter.

We’ve recently received questions about what’s the difference between our containers and others who’ve mimic’d our concept: semi-inground and crane-lifted. And we know one of the biggest benefits is longevity. Quality design, manufacturing and materials means 18 years later the containers are going strong and delivering waste diversion, and savings to the Park.

And they keep the bears out…

Sniff, sniff, smells good but we can’t get inside…!