March 5, 1999
To:Works and Utilities Committee
From:Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:1998 Residential Waste Diversion
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to provide information on the City of Toronto's 1998 residential
waste diversion.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Background:
The Department monitors and reports annually on the quantity of waste diverted from landfill
through its waste reduction and recycling programs.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
In 1998, approximately 245,405 tonnes of residential waste were diverted from landfill. This
represents a residential diversion rate of 25 percent which is slightly higher than the 24
percent diversion rate achieved in 1997. Please refer to the attached table for a detailed
breakdown.
The Blue Box program, which diverts the largest quantity of waste, achieved an increase of
11,096 tonnes, or nine percent over 1997. The main increase in tonnage over 1997 was
realized in the fibre portion of the recyclable stream. The convenient storage provided by the
grey box, along with the effect of the associated promotion, appeared to be encouraging
residents to recycle more paper materials.
The quantity of leaf waste received at our Avondale Composting Site decreased by 6,511
tonnes in 1998 as compared to 1997, which may be attributable to variance in weather
conditions between the two years. The fall of 1998 was very dry compared to 1997. The
quantity of yard waste received also decreased by 1,620 tonnes compared to 1997.
Overall, 1998 saw an increase in residential waste diverted and a decrease in residential waste
requiring landfilling, compared to 1997. This Department will continue to improve and
increase recovery in current programs and implement other diversion programs where feasible
to further minimize our dependence on landfill.
Conclusions:
In 1998, 24.4 percent of the residential waste stream was diverted through the city's waste
reduction and recycling programs. This diversion rate is expected to increase in subsequent
years as we work to increase recovery in the current programs and implement new waste
diversion programs. We will continue to monitor and report annually on the Department's
waste diversion efforts.
Contact Name:
Renee Dello
Coordinator, Waste Diversion Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
Metro Hall
Phone: (416) 392-5806
Fax: (416) 392-4754
E-mail: renee_dello@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
Angelos Bacopoulos
General Manager
Solid Waste Management Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner
Works and Emergency Services
RD:kldiversio.
