STAFF REPORT
March 6, 2000
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge , Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:1999 Residential Waste Diversion
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to provide information on the City of Toronto's 1999 residential waste diversion performance.
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,
composting and recycling programs.
Comments:
In 1999, approximately 257,000 tonnes of residential waste were diverted from landfill. This represents a residential
diversion rate of 25 percent. We have recently discovered that due to an error in our weighscale reporting system, 1998
residential waste was understated by 36,700 tonnes. Therefore, 1998 diversion was 24 percent. Please refer to the attached
chart for a detailed breakdown of 1999 and adjusted 1998 diversion performance.
The diversion of 257,000 tonnes from landfill in 1999 represents an increase of approximately 11,000 tonnes over the 1998
diversion of 246, 000 tonnes. The Blue Box program, which diverts the largest quantity of waste, achieved an increase of
5,600 tonnes, or four percent over 1998. The majority of the other programs, such as leaf and yard waste composting,
backyard composting, depots and Environment Days showed slight increases in diversion in 1999.
Solid Waste Management (SWM) Services will continue to work on increasing recovery within existing programs, and will
test and implement new diversion programs. Examples of new diversion projects currently underway or planned for 2000
include:
(1)Recovery of recyclable containers and newspapers generated by pedestrians through the three compartment OMG
Media litter bins.
(2)Blue Bag recycling pilot project operating in two apartment buildings in Etobicoke.
(3)Construction of the new Dufferin Mixed Waste Recycling and Organics Processing Facility scheduled to be
operational in late 2000.
Conclusions:
Overall, 1999 saw an increase of over 10,000 tonnes in the total amount of residential waste diverted. The 25 percent
diversion rate is expected to increase in subsequent years as we test ways to increase recovery in the current programs and
implement new waste diversion programs. We will continue to monitor and report annually on the SWM Services' waste
diversion efforts.
Contact:
Renee Dello
Coordinator, Waste Diversion Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
Metro Hall
Phone: (416) 392-5806
Fax: (416) 392-4754
E-mail: rdello@toronto.ca
Angelos Bacopoulos
General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
List of Attachment:
1999 Waste Diversion Chart
(divers99.doc)
1999 Waste Diversion
1.Total of 158,118 backyard composters and 105 multi-bin units distributed as of year end. Assumes 200 kg diverted per
year per backyard composter and 2.7 tonnes per year per multi-bin.
2.Assumes approximately 30% of grass is left on lawns as a result of grass ban policy and grasscycling promotion.
3.Figures include municipality collected commercial waste and recyclables.
