Discussion paper on reducing litter and waste in our communities

Currently, Ontario generates nearly a tonne of waste per person every year and our overall diversion rate has stalled below 30% over the last 15 years. Ontario needs to reduce the amount of waste we generate and divert more waste from landfill through proven methods like Ontario’s curbside Blue Box Program, existing and emerging municipal green bin programs and other waste recovery options. Existing and emerging technologies are increasingly allowing us to recover and recycle materials back into our economy rather than sending them to landfill. This is helping us to better protect our communities and keep our air, land and water clean and healthy.

The discussion paper sets out goals, actions and performance measures and outlines how we will:

• decrease the amount of waste going to landfill
• increase the province’s overall diversion rate.

The discussion paper provides more details on the actions and commitments related to waste that were outlined in the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. The feedback on the discussion paper will help the province to move forward with a clear, comprehensive and outcome-based approach to reducing litter and waste in our communities while keeping this province clean and beautiful for future generations.

Eight areas for action

The discussion paper outlines eight key areas for action:

1. prevent and reduce litter in our neighbourhoods and parks
2. increase opportunities for Ontarians to reduce and divert waste at home, at work and on the go
3. make producers responsible for the waste generated from their products and packaging
4. reduce and divert food and organic waste from households and businesses
5. reduce plastic waste going into landfills and waterways
6. provide clear rules for compostable products and packaging
7. recover the value of resources in waste
8. support competitive and sustainable end-markets for Ontario’s waste

These eight areas of action are the steps we will take to make waste reduction, reuse, and recycling easier for the people of Ontario, not only at home or at work, but throughout our communities.

Purpose of policy

We developed the discussion paper to seek feedback from the public on how we propose to implement waste commitments included in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. The feedback will be used to inform future waste management policy.

Other public consultation opportunities

We used input we received through the following methods to help us develop the discussion paper:

• public and stakeholder feedback on the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan (013-4208)
• one-on one meetings with interested and affected stakeholders