Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility

• Update on Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility (May 3, 2021)
• Durham takes next step toward Anaerobic Digestion Facility (May 28, 2020)
• Anaerobic Digestion facility siting report now available online: recommends south Clarington site (March 9, 2020)
• UPDATE: Region unveils list of potential sites and invites residents to learn about the new Anaerobic Digestion and Waste Pre-sort facility (February 21, 2020)
• Region invites residents to learn about potential sites for new Anaerobic Digestion and Waste Pre-sort facility (February 13, 2020)
• Durham Region is working to address climate changes (December 3, 2019)

Comment period has closed. Questions? Contact us by email.

• Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility (Siting Report) 
• Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility (Public Consultation Report)

Comment period has closed. Questions? Contact us. 

• Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility (Display Boards)

In addition to diverting organics that are sorted from the waste stream, other benefits include:

• Produces a methane bio-fuel, which can be combusted to generate electricity and heat or can be processed into renewable natural gas and transportation fuels.
• Generation of a 'digestate' product that can be turned into a nutrient-rich compost or fertilizer product.
• Removes recyclables that end up in waste.
• Reducing the amount of waste sent to the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC).
• Promotes circular economy of waste.
• There are no stack emissions or combustion involved in the anaerobic digestion process. The building will be under negative air pressure and air from the facility must go through biofilters prior to release. There will be disposal of some residues.
• It is anticipated that there will be two additional trucks added to the daily total, resulting in minimal impacts to traffic, as trucks will already be on route to the DYEC.

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is a method of processing organic waste to create energy.

Dinner with the family

Enjoying a meal, but don't have enough room for that last spoonful?

Food scraps

Dispose of food scraps or other compostable items in the green bin.

Waste processing

Green bin materials are processed in closed, air-tight containers where bacteria breaks down organics and creates methane gas.

Renewable energy

Methane gas is refined and used as a renewable natural gas, which can be used anywhere natural gas is used.

Mixed Waste Pre-sorting

The facility will remove materials—such as food scraps and recyclables—from garbage collected at the curb and from multi-residential buildings. In conjunction with our blue box and green bin programs, this will help us increase diversion rates.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a process where organics are broken down (degraded) by microbial bacteria in the absence of oxygen under controlled conditions. This process produces biogas, compost liquid wastes and solid residue. The digestion of organics takes place in a special reactor (or enclosed chamber) where critical environmental conditions such as moisture content, temperature and pH levels are controlled to maximize biogas generation and organic decomposition rates. 

The new facility will be located in Clarington, next to the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) in the Energy Park. This location will incorporate sustainable development principles and complement the architectural design and landscaping of the Energy Park.

The siting report details the methodology used and the factors considered to assess each site, including environmental and developmental impacts, as well as total cost. Six potential candidate sites were evaluated to identify the most suitable location for this facility:

• West Scugog – #10 Regional Road No. 21, Scugog
• East Scugog – 1623 Reach Street, Port Perry
• North Clarington – 9293 Woodley Road, Clarington
• South Clarington – 339 Courtice Road, Clarington
• Oshawa – 1640 Ritson Road
• Whitby – 4600 Garrard Road

Waste will only be accepted from Durham Region, including waste collected from the Region's curbside waste collection program and from multi-residential buildings. Instead of delivering Durham’s waste directly to the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC), Durham Region residential waste will be delivered to the new Mixed Waste Pre-Sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility first for sorting and processing. 

The facility will sort organics and recyclables from garbage bags (i.e. items that were not properly separated into the green bin or the blue box). This process will not replace or eliminate the current Green Bin or Blue Box program, but will help the Region to maximize diversion efforts.

York Region waste will continue to go directly to the DYEC to be turned into energy. The new facility will sort and process the waste coming from Durham residents before it goes to the DYEC. 

Is the Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility an incinerator?

The new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility is not an incinerator. No incineration is used in the mixed waste pre-sort and anaerobic digestion process. The facility will process Durham Region residential waste by separating garbage, organics, and recyclables. The facility will make fertilizer and renewable natural gas from the organics, while sending the garbage and recyclables for further processing. 

Is the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility?

The Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) is not an anaerobic digestion facility. Anaerobic means in the absence of oxygen. The DYEC requires oxygen to operate – oxygen, heat and fuel are the three requirements for the combustion process. The DYEC is a waste management facility that produces energy from the combustion of garbage. 

Will the new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility result in more garbage for incineration?

No. The new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility will increase diversion and therefore reduce the amount of garbage for incineration, making additional capacity available at the Durham York Energy Centre.

Does the new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility eliminate the need for residents to sort their waste?

Residents will still be required to sort their waste. The new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility will separate garbage, organics and recyclable materials in the garbage bags to further increase diversion from landfills. This will not replace or eliminate the current Green Bin or Blue Box programs. The new facility will help the Region to maximize diversion efforts.

Can the public still provide input about the new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility?

The Region began public engagement in early 2020 on the new facility with a public information centre. Comments and questions about the new Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility can be sent to ADproject@durham.ca. Visit durham.ca/ADproject for updated information, including Council reports and answers to frequently asked questions.

Is an environmental assessment being done for the Mixed Waste Pre-sort & Anaerobic Digestion Facility?

The Environmental Assessment Act in Ontario does not require an environmental assessment for waste sorting or anaerobic digestion facilities. These types of operations are recognized as being low risk for environmental pollution and do not generate air emissions. The new facility will obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks that will set out the requirements to operate, such as the quantity of waste the facility can receive each day, operating hours, waste storage requirements and monitoring obligations.