News – 2 Columns

Solid Waste Management in Ottawa: A Collaborative Approach

February 18th Update from the Environment Committee:

During the Environment Committee meeting on February 18th, I raised the question of providing additional yellow bag drop-off locations for residents who miss their designated garbage collection week. Specifically, I inquired about the possibility of offering drop-off points in the east, south, and west areas. Staff have agreed to review this suggestion and will provide an update on the feasibility in the near future.

Stay tuned for more information!

Understanding Our Waste Challenge

First, I want to clarify my stance: I was firmly against bag tags and a two-bag limit every two weeks, and we successfully challenged that policy. In 2021, Ottawa generated 194,142 tons of waste, with each household producing about 1,500 pounds of garbage annually—58% of which was recycled, while 42% ended up in landfills.

Goals of the Solid Waste Master Plan

The goals of the Solid Waste Master Plan are vital for our community:

• Extend the life of the Trail Waste Facility landfill
• Reduce the amount of waste generated
• Maximize the reuse and recycling of materials
• Enhance the recovery of materials and energy
• Aspire to achieve 100% greenhouse gas emission reductions
• Maximize community participation
• Minimize costs to taxpayers

My Experience and Initiatives

I’ve been involved in the push for responsible waste management since the 2012 transition to bi-weekly garbage pickup, recognizing that garbage must go somewhere and our landfill space is limited. I worked with colleagues to include the collection of plastics #1 through #7 in our recycling bins and successfully advocated for a delayed rollout of this change to allow residents to adjust during the hottest months of the year.

Historically, our garbage pickup guidelines have been loose, allowing for six bags with minimal enforcement. I believe a more appropriate and realistic approach would be a four-bag limit with no tags, supported by increased enforcement. Like you, I do not want to see garbage piling up in our parks, playgrounds, or along ditches.

Exploring Alternative Technologies

While alternative technologies like Mixed Waste Processing and Mass Burn Incineration can help reduce our dependence on landfills, they still generate residual waste that must be managed. Therefore, it’s crucial to continue investing in preserving capacity at the Trail Waste Facility landfill as we explore these options. These discussions are planned for this Fall.

Recent Council Actions

I support reduction, diversion, and recycling—just in a manner that makes sense. At the Council meeting on May 24, 2023, we passed a motion for City staff to return by Q4 of 2023 with recommended waste diversion technologies that meet or exceed all applicable environmental regulations, with a preference for solutions that can provide heat and/or electricity.

On June 5, I voted against the recommended bag/tag policy, which tied 5-5 at the Environment and Climate Change Committee. Then, at the Council on June 14, I voted against the staff recommendation for a two-bag limit and tags, as well as against a study on clear bags.

The motion that ultimately passed permits residents to put out three garbage items every two weeks. Notably, a single garbage item could be a garbage can containing up to three bags of waste (each weighing up to 15 kg), for a total weight of 45 kg (99 lbs). For example, you could dispose of a chair and two garbage cans, each containing 15 kg (33 lbs) of garbage, for a total weight of 30 kg (66 lbs) along with the chair.

Looking Ahead

A clear implementation and communication plan will precede this change, expected in 2024. As always, I appreciate your input and patience as we work toward a reasonable solution to our solid waste dilemma.

For more information, please refer to the Curbside Waste Diversion Policy report (English/French). Together, we can create a cleaner, more sustainable Ottawa for all.