York Region achieves highest waste diversion rate for large municipality

Since 2016, the region has surpassed its targets with more than 90 per cent of managed waste diverted from landfills

Newmarkettoday.ca
October 29, 2020

The Regional Municipality of York once again continues to lead the way when it comes to sustainable waste management, achieving 94 per cent diversion from landfill in 2019.

“Our achievements in waste management over the years continue to demonstrate excellence and leadership,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Based on diversion rates and a commitment to waste reduction and reuse efforts, we are well placed to move towards our vision of a world with no waste.”

The 2019 Annual Waste Management Report outlines York Region’s integrated waste management system and provides information on the Region’s tracking, measuring and performance.

Highlights of the 2019 Annual Waste Management Report include:

• York Region continues to prepare for full transition of the Blue Box Program to producer responsibility; transition is critical to shift burden from taxpayers to producers and to achieve the right environmental outcomes as they design products and packaging
• With the transition, reporting the waste generation rate will soon focus on green bin and garbage streams only
• Organics and garbage generation rates have remained steady over the past five years
• While green bin and garbage generation reported for 2019 is encouraging, impacts from COVID-19 will undoubtedly influence trends moving forward; York Region has remained flexible in its response to COVID-19 system impacts

As reported in 2019, York Region has achieved the highest diversion rate for a large urban municipality in the Resource Recovery and Productivity Authority data call every year since 2012.

“For less than a dollar a day, the cost of delivering all waste management services in York Region is a great value for residents,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, Chair of Environmental Services. “Compared to other utilities, the SM4RT Living Plan, curbside collection, processing, depot operations and education services is approximately $300/household per year.”

Starting in 2016, the Region has surpassed the Regional Official Plan target with over 90 per cent of managed waste diverted from landfills.

In partnership with our local cities and towns, York Region continues to implement innovative waste reduction, diversion and disposal programs to meet the needs of our growing communities. Waste management services are delivered to residents through a two-tier structure where local cities and towns manage curbside waste collection and York Region processes and disposes of waste. For more information, visit york.ca/waste.