Green Lane Landfill
On April 2, 2007 the City of Toronto officially acquired the Green Lane Landfill, securing its long term disposal requirements for future decades Green Lane provides for Toronto’s landfill needs when the City’s Michigan landfill disposal contract expires in 2010 or earlier should the border close.
Over the years the Green Lane Landfill site has evolved from a small waste disposal operation to a modern, state-of-the-art facility with landfill gas management and leachate management systems. Today it is an environmentally sound solid waste disposal facility that meets or exceeds Provincial legislative and regulatory requirements. The transfer of ownership to Toronto was a seamless transition (full environmental compliance was, and continues to be, maintained and there were no disruptions to services or operations).
Take a look at the Green Lane Landfill:
Documents regarding the landfill purchase:
- Backgrounder document (PDF)
- News Release distributed April 3, 2007 re City’s purchase of Green Lane Landfill (PDF)
The following previously confidential documents regarding the City of Toronto's purchase of the Green Lane Landfill are now available:
- Long term Waste Disposal Capacity
In Camera Staff Report to City Council dated September 18, 2006 (PDF) - Green Lane Landfill – Intent to Purchase Term Sheet
Appendix A (attachment to September 18, 2006 In Camera Staff Report) (PDF) - Conformity with the Conditions of Closing for the Purchase of the Green Lane Landfill
Public Staff Report to City Council dated March 26, 2007 (PDF) - Conformity with the Conditions of Closing for the Purchase of the Green Lane Landfill
Confidential Attachment to Public Staff Report to City Council dated March 26, 2007 (PDF)
Key site features
Hydrogeologic setting: dense native clay down to bedrock (located approximately 77 metres (254 feet) below ground surface)
Hydraulic trap design: unique design approach implemented in 1994 (see schematic PDF)
Other key features include: an engineered base, regular, ongoing, comprehensive environmental monitoring, a leachate collection system and an on-site leachate treatment plant. Leachate is the liquid created when waste decomposes.
Green Lane also has an extensive landfill gas collection system. Landfill gas is created when buried waste decomposes. This gas is roughly 50 per cent methane and 50 per cent carbon dioxide, along with traces of other gases. Currently the gas is collected and directed to the flaring system that allows for safe release into the air. There is the potential for a future methane cogeneration facility on-site.
The site also operates a number of community programs such as community benefit agreements and liaison committees.
Size and capacity
Total Site Area: 129.7 hectares (320 acres) – surrounded by largely rural agricultural land.
Disposal Area: 71.2 hectares (176 acres) is presently approved for landfilling.
Additional Lands: approximately 486 hectares (1,200 acres) - essentially 21 parcels of farmland.
Available Site capacity: as of April 2, 2007, approximately 15 million cubic metres of waste/daily cover = approximately 13.8 million tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste.
Landfill life expectancy:
- at 42% waste diversion = estimated 17 years
- at 50-55% = estimated 19 to 21 years
- at 70% = estimated 28 years
Operations and site management
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates of Waterloo, Ontario, engineering consultants for the landfill since disposal operations began in 1978, continue in this capacity under contract to the City of Toronto. CRA Landfill Operations Limited is the contracted operator under City supervision and management.
Site management and supervision is under Toronto’s Director - Transfer, Processing and Disposal Operations. City supervisors monitor daily operations, among other duties. The landfill’s former Environmental Manager continues in this role as a City employee.
Historical and current monitoring data confirms there are no off-site adverse impacts to surface water or groundwater. The City has an operating licence for Green Lane Landfill issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in the form of a Certificate of Approval to operate as a waste disposal site.
Current site customers
In becoming the owner of the Green Lane Landfill, the City assumed certain disposal obligations and existing contracts of the former owner that include both local municipal and ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) sector clients. Existing ICI customers vary and include local area businesses. During 2007, Toronto expects to send approximately 22,000 tonnes of its solid waste for disposal at Green Lane.