Waste Strategy

Waste management in a city the size of Toronto is a complex task. Each year, the City manages close to 850,000 tonnes of waste, which is not sustainable. With a growing population, the changing nature of waste and limited landfill space, a long-term strategy to guide waste management in Toronto is key.

The City’s Long-term Waste Management Strategy (Executive Summary, Full Report), also known as the Waste Strategy, was approved by City Council in 2016.

In June 2023, City Council directed Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) to update the Long-term Waste Management Strategy as part of its consideration of the Residual Waste Management Work Plan.

The City acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review and update of the Waste Strategy for the next implementation period of 2026 to 2036.

Updating the Waste Strategy will include the exploration of options for the reduction, reuse, diversion and disposal of Toronto’s waste over the next 30 to 50 years.

The Waste Strategy Update will be prepared in three phases. Each phase will require public consultation and input from interest groups.

Phase 1

Build the Foundation

  • Update the baseline established in the development of the Waste Strategy to reflect the current state of Toronto’s waste management system.
  • Provide a status update on the Waste Strategy’s recommended options.
  • Conduct a review of policies and programs implemented in other jurisdictions to determine best practices.
  • Determine the requirements to further reduce and divert waste, including targets, long-term goals and a clear vision for the city’s requirements to achieve a zero-waste future.
  • Consultation is currently scheduled for late 2024 and will focus on
    • reviewing the vision and guiding principles of the Waste Strategy
    • generating ideas to reduce and divert waste from landfill.

Phase 2

Evaluate Possibilities

  • Findings from the consultations in Phase 1 will be used to identity and evaluate options to address the waste management needs of the City and its residents.
  • Develop a weighted approach to evaluate options and determine the most viable paths to help the City achieve its long-term waste management goals.
  • Outline potential waste management policies and programs to manage the impacts of Toronto’s waste disposal.

Phase 3

Create a Roadmap

  • Following the completion of Phases 1 and 2, an updated 10-year (2026-2036) Waste Strategy implementation plan (Strategy Update) will be developed that builds upon the 2016 Waste Strategy and identifies policies and programs to reduce and manage waste over the long term to maximize waste diversion and align with the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.
  • The outcomes of the Strategy Update will be presented to City Council and the public.
  • The Strategy Update will include, but is not limited to:
    • Three phases of consultation with the public and interest groups to gather feedback on waste reduction, waste diversion, and long-term planning activities related to Toronto’s residual waste (garbage)
    • A review of the current state of the city’s integrated waste management system to determine current and future waste management requirements
    • A review and status update of each of the Waste Strategy’s recommendations and key learnings
    • An analysis of the Waste Strategy’s key performance metrics and outcomes
    • An analysis of factors influencing the Waste Strategy implementation including relevant City Council direction, and  provincial and federal policy and regulatory changes
    • A jurisdictional scan to identify challenges and best practices, and explore new gaps, opportunities and emerging areas of interest
    • Requirements for Toronto’s waste management system to achieve its long-term goals
    • A final report on the updated Waste Strategy will be presented to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee and City Council in 2026.

While the City is taking a number of actions to move towards a zero-waste future, it still needs to manage residual waste (garbage) that is generated by its residents.   

Currently, the City sends the majority of its garbage to Green Lane Landfill located just outside of London, Ontario in the Township of Southwold. It is in close proximity to a number of communities, including three First Nations communities: the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, the Munsee Delaware Nation and the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Based on current tonnage and waste volumes, Green Lane Landfill could reach full capacity in 2034/2035.

Increased population, economic growth and housing commitments in Toronto mean that the amount of waste that will need to be managed will continue to grow. Even with the implementation of the City’s Long-Term Waste Management Strategy and our ongoing waste reduction and diversion actions, planning for Toronto’s long-term waste disposal needs is required.

Long-term availability of landfill space across Ontario is also limited and is expected to reach full capacity within 10 years. As the largest municipality in the province, the City needs to secure the best solutions to meet the needs of our growing population while mitigating unnecessary financial risk and environmental and social impacts. Some long-term options could take over a decade to secure due to regulatory compliance and permitting processes. 

Council approved the Residual Waste Management Work Plan (Work Plan) in June 2023. The Work Plan provides time to study, develop and operationalize short, medium and long-term options to manage Toronto’s residual waste. 

Some of the options that are currently being explored as part of the Work Plan are:

Explore Private Landfills

As the development of a new landfill is not feasible within the boundaries of Toronto, the City will begin a process to engage, and where there is interest, negotiate with existing private Ontario landfill owners to provide disposal services for Toronto’s residual waste, or to sell an existing private landfill to meet the City’s needs.

Explore Public Landfills

The City intends to issue a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) to municipalities in Ontario to identify their interest in accepting residual waste from the City, selling an existing public landfill to meet the City’s needs, hosting a new landfill or partnering with the City to expand their existing landfill. 

Understand Community Perceptions of Energy-from-Waste

The City intends to conduct community consultations on the perceptions related to energy-from-waste as a potential option to manage residual waste. City staff will report back to Council prior to entering into any procurement processes, negotiations or engagements related to the purchase or building of an energy-from-waste facility or partnering with an existing facility.  

Study Expansion of Green Lane Landfill

The City has begun the process to conduct a technical feasibility study to determine whether expansion of Green Lane Landfill is viable. This is the first step in understanding if expansion is a possibility.  

 

Staff will report back to City Council with recommendations informed by the results of analysis related to the options above and seek direction prior to making any long-term decisions. 

All options for Toronto’s residual waste disposal will be assessed through an environmental, social and financial lens to examine their potential impacts.

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