Discussion paper on reducing litter and waste in our communities

ERO number
013-4689
Notice type
Policy
Act
Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016
Posted by
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Notice stage
Proposal Updated
Proposal posted
Comment period
March 6, 2019 - April 20, 2019 (45 days) Closed
Last updated

Update Announcement

This proposal notice has been updated on September 15, 2022 to advise the public that this file is still under active review. The ministry is reviewing the comments it has received to date. The original proposal date and comment period have not been altered.

This consultation was open from:

March 6, 2019
to April 20, 2019

Proposal summary

We are seeking public feedback on the Reducing Litter and Waste in Our Communities: Discussion Paper, which expands upon commitments in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan. The paper poses questions that will help guide future decision-making to divert more waste from landfill.

Proposal details

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

Supporting materials

View materials in person

Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.

Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.

Resource Recovery Policy Branch
Address

40 St. Clair Avenue West
8th floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada

Comment

Commenting is now closed.

The comment period was from March 6, 2019
to April 20, 2019

Connect with us

Contact

Cindy Acab

Phone number
Email address
Office
Resource Recovery Policy Branch
Address

40 St. Clair Avenue West
8th floor
Toronto, ON
M4V 1M2
Canada

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