Project Information

Waste Diversion Programs and Goals

Durham Region

The Region of Durham is one of few municipalities in Canada to have surpassed the threshold of 50% waste diversion (from landfill). Regional Council has demonstrated a very strong commitment to increasing waste diversion levels, as well as finding a local and long-term residual waste management solution. Solid Waste Management has been a budget priority for Regional Council over the past decade, as the 1999 “Long-term Waste Management Strategy Plan: 2000 to 2020” has been implemented. 

In 2010, the Region’s waste diversion programs are projected to successfully divert approximately 120,000 tonnes of material from landfill by the end of the year. This represents an overall combined waste diversion rate for all eight area municipalities of 52%.

To assist with achieving the new 70% target, a consultant (Golder Associates Ltd.) was retained to work with Regional staff in investigating existing and potential new options to increase the Region’s diversion rate, including cost implications, advantages and disadvantages for each option, and best practices lessons learned from North American and European experiences. The 70% Diversion Plan was developed and assessed by staff based upon several principles which have and continue to be the foundation for Regional diversion programs and their success. The following continue to be the principles upon which Regional diversion programs will be implemented:

• Future diversion initiatives should not compromise the existing Regional Integrated Waste Management System;
  
  
• The Region’s continued success as a leader in minimizing waste contamination (having a clean system with highly valued diversion materials) and maximizing true diversion from landfill should continue by:
  • Ensuring “problem materials” are kept out of both Blue Box and Source Separated Organics (SSO) waste streams (e.g. no non-biodegradable plastics will be allowed in the Green Bin program); and,
  • Ensuring new diversion materials are added to the Region’s diversion programs, only if a stable market exists for resale/reuse of the final product to ensure efforts are not wasted on items destined to end up in landfill;
• Initiatives implemented must be considered user-friendly, tolerable, and accessible  to ensure support and participation from residents;
• Compatible, not competing, diversion programs and systems will be implemented to ensure maximum value through the highest diversion possible without compromising service and cost efficiency to taxpayers, and maximizing the use of existing infrastructure; and,
• Initiatives will be consistent with the sound financial planning and best business practice of the Region including business case review for proposed capital projects.

The Golder Associates Ltd. evaluation of Durham’s garbage waste composition indicated that with 100% participation and 100% capture rates and utilizing the existing recycling and composting programs, the Regional diversion rate would be 71%. Given that it is unrealistic to expect 100% participation and capture, several options were identified to improve the diversion rate under the Region’s two major programs:

• Increasing waste diversion within the existing system; and,
• Implementing new waste diversion opportunities.

York Region

York Region is a demonstrated leader in long-term, sustainable waste management. Our waste management strategy is based upon a four-level hierarchy:

1. Reduction of packaging and improved handling options to prevent waste generation
2. Re-use of products and materials to maximize their useful life
3. Recycling of materials to reduce consumption of new raw materials
4. Recovery of energy and recyclable materials to minimize reliance on landfills

The greatest environmental benefits are achieved by focusing waste management efforts at the top of the hierarchy to prevent waste generation at source.  For this reason, York Region is committed to remaining a leader in waste reduction, re-use, and recycling and ensuring that the Durham-York Energy-from-Waste centre processes only residual waste for which no higher processing option exists.

York Region’s nine municipalities provide curb-side collection of blue box recyclables, green bin organics and yard waste to all residents.  Household hazardous waste and electronics recycling drop-off is provided to residents at five depots throughout York Region. In 2010, York Region’s blue box, green bin, yard waste, household hazardous waste and electronics recycling programs captured 222,822 tonnes of material— approximately 64.91 per cent of the total waste stream.

	Tonnes	Percentage of Waste Stream*
Yard Waste	39,230	11 %
Blue Box	88,787	26%
Green Bin	91,680	27%
Household Hazardous Waste	1,652	0.48%
Electronics	1,473	0.43%
Total	222,822	64.91 %

(*inbound figures do not account for processing loss, facility closures etc.)

Due to unforeseen facility closures, approximately 38,000 tonnes of source separated organics was landfilled in 2010.

In addition, York Region provides drop-off facilities and special events where residents may bring other materials not collected at the curb-side, including:

For additional details on York Region’s waste diversion programs, including depot locations, hours of operation and materials accepted, please visit www.york.ca/waste