Long-term Waste Management Plan 2021-2040
Durham Region developed its initial Long-term Waste Management Strategy Plan in 1999 to cover the 20 years to 2020. The Region is now undertaking the development of the next Long-term Waste Management Plan or Waste Plan for the next approximately 20 years (2022 to 2040). As part of this exercise, the Region is focusing on maximizing the diversion of materials from waste and recovering waste as resources to optimize its existing and planned disposal and processing infrastructure and minimize the need for disposal.
The approved Guiding Principles, Vision and Objectives will remain consistent throughout the life of the Waste Plan without further review and updating. Action Plans, with measurable targets and accompanying actions for the following timelines — short term (2022 to 2026), mid-term (2027 to 2033) and long-term (2034 to 2040) will be reviewed and updated (if required) every five years to ensure alignment with corporate direction and associated legislation.
Guiding Principles, Vision and Objectives
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Guiding Principles |
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Regional Council endorsed the guiding principles, vision and objectives for the Long-term Waste Management Plan on January 27, 2021. These principles will help shape the goals of the new plan:
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Vision |
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Together, with our residents, we will reduce the amount of waste we create and manage the generated waste as a resource. We will build an innovative system, balancing financial needs and environmental sustainability. |
| Objectives |
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Long-term Waste Management Plan, Five-Year Action Plan and Record of Consultation
| Long-term Waste Management Plan (Final Draft — 2022 to 2040) |
| Long-term Waste Management Plan Draft Five-Year Action Plan |
| Long-term Waste Management Plan Record of Consultation |
Consultation
| Phase Two Consultation | ||||
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| Phase One Consultation | ||||
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Project Updates and Background Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Long-term Waste Management Plan? |
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A Long-term Waste Management Plan or Waste Plan for short is a document that describes the Region’s principles and objectives for waste management for the next 20 years. |
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Why do we need a Waste Plan? |
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Durham Region needs a plan to manage our waste for the next 20 years. We’ve accomplished great things with the old plan, now we need to look to the future. Now, more than ever, we need to consider:
Durham Region is also promoting innovation and environmental sustainability in its Strategic Plan. We’re looking to the future with clean energy solutions, green technologies, programs that divert waste, increasing resource recovery, and concentrating on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
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What is the Five-Year Action Plan? |
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The Five-Year Action Plan will complement the Waste Plan by setting smaller goals and milestones for us to achieve along the way to meeting our long-term objectives. There will be a total of four five-year action plans, each picking up where the last one left off. |
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Has Durham ever had a Waste Plan before? |
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Durham developed its first Waste Plan in 1999 and it covered the period of 2000 – 2020. Under the first Waste Plan, the Region expanded the Green Bin and Blue Box programs, increased its waste diversion rate from 30 per cent to approximately 63 per cent, and developed the made-in-Durham waste disposal solution in the Durham York Energy Centre. |
| How does Durham Region currently manage waste? |
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| What is a Circular Economy? |
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| What is Extended Producer Responsibility? |
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Companies will design collection systems for designated products and manage the end of life recycling or disposal. Currently, tires, electronics, batteries, household hazardous waste and blue box paper and packaging are designated materials. These products are gradually transitioning to EPR. Details about EPR and the consultations being held on its development are found at the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority's website.
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A circular economy is a closed loop economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of our resources. In this type of system, all waste is recovered and reused to make new products. This approach replaces the current linear product development system where products are made, used and then disposed.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the approach Ontario is using to make companies doing business in Ontario fully financially and operationally responsible for the environmental impact of the products and packaging they produce or import into Ontario.Contact Us
