Waste Diversion in

Canada

MacKay 2011

WHAT IS WASTE DIVERSION?

Waste diversion directs garbage away from landfills or incinerators.

Waste management is the process of collecting, processing and disposing of waste.

WHY DIVERT WASTE FROM LANDFILLS?

1. Environmental Benefits

2. Economic Benefits

3. Social Benefits

Environmental BenefitsRecycling uses less energy than disposal in a landfill

Manufacturing with recycled materials is more energy-efficient than virgin materials

Reduces greenhouse gases and toxins emitted from landfills

More land is available for agricultural and other uses.

Reuse and recycling conserve resources

Economic Benefits

Fewer landfill sites are needed, saving the cost of creating new landfills or transporting waste to more distant landfills.

Creates jobs: For every 14000 tonnes of waste – Recycling produces 9 jobs, Composting 7 jobs, Landfills only 1 job

Generate revenue from selling compost to the community.

Social Benefits

Reduced landfill usage improves quality of life in adjacent communities

Reduces pollutants and improves health.

Waste diversion encourages environmentally sustainable behaviour.

Four Keys to Success 1. Partnerships and Collaboration

Can be generated with local citizens, organizations, educational institutions, government

Working together ensures greater buy-in and participation in diversion

2. Convenient Options Curbside collection or drop-off centres

3. Policy and Legislation Essential to the effort Example: Bylaws limiting waste disposal, charging for garbage

4. Education and Promotion Inform the public about waste diversion programs and how to

participate effectively Reward waste diversion activities

Some ways to divert waste:

1. Recycling

2. Compositing and Vermicomposting

3. Biofuel

RecyclingRecycling: the processing of used materials

into new products

Benefits: More economical - $35 for curbside recycling

pickup vs. $80 for curbside garbage pick up to landfills

Cuts waste volumes Decreases demands for raw resources Reduces air pollution

Composting and VermicompostingComposting: organic matter that is piled and

left to decompose

Vermicomposting: the decomposition of organic matter by worms

Benefits:End product can be recycled for fertilizer Gases released from decomposition can be

harnessed for energy use via fuel cellsCheap

Vermicomposting Success

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/planet-green/32716-g-word-worm-poop-video.htm

TerraCycle

- US based company out of New Jersey

- Uses recyclables to sell fertilizer made from vermicomposting

- Has recently extended business into Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Sweden and Turkey with plans to extend to Germany and France

TerraCycle ‘Up-cycling’ Products

BiofuelsBiofuels: the conversion of biomass into solid, liquid and

gaseous fuels. Example: Bio-ethanol

Benefits

Renewable

Produce less greenhouse gas emission than fossil fuels

Biodegradable – contain less toxins

Can use agricultural waste and other wastes for production

 Less dangerous and less harmful to the Earth’s surface

KingstonKingston has a waste diversion rate of 44.7%

according of Waste Diversion Ontario

Goal – 65%

http://livework.kingstoncanada.com/en/communityresources/wastemanagement.asp