Waste Management Master Plan Review and Update

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Recycling bins stacked next to a street and flower bed

In 2012, the City of Peterborough developed a Waste Management Master Plan to be used as a tool for both short- and long-term waste management planning. Now, the City has initiated a review and update that will consider proven programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.

Public information meetings

Requiring clear bags for garbage collection and changing the frequency of waste collection to improve efficiency are two options being considered as part of the Waste Management Master Plan Review. The City held public meetings on May 17, 2022 and on March 1, 2022 to share information about the progress of the project and hear input from residents and businesses. Videos of the presentations are posted in the right panel of this page for residents to review at their convenience.

During the interactive meetings, residents and stakeholders heard about activities currently underway and they discussed new initiatives for waste management services that could be considered to achieve the community’s waste management goals.

If you'd like to be sent a copy of the presentation document that was used during the public meeting (video is posted under the Videos section on the right side of the project page), please contact wasteplan2022@peterborough.ca to request the document.

About Peterborough waste management services

The City of Peterborough provides waste and recycling services to 35,319 households, including 8,209 units in multi-residential buildings. Since the late 1980s, the City has been a leader in waste diversion efforts and has achieved a diversion rate at or above 50 per cent since the early 2000s.

The City manages collection of residential and small industrial, commercial and institutional garbage, which is hauled to the Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility on Bensfort Road for disposal. The City also currently provides curbside collection of recyclable materials through a contract with Emterra Environmental. Recyclable materials are taken to the City’s Materials Recycling Facility at 390 Pido Rd. for processing.

More information about these and other waste programs offered by the City can be found in the 2022 Guide to Waste Management Services.

In 2012, the City of Peterborough developed a Waste Management Master Plan to be used as a tool for both short- and long-term waste management planning. Now, the City has initiated a review and update that will consider proven programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.

Public information meetings

Requiring clear bags for garbage collection and changing the frequency of waste collection to improve efficiency are two options being considered as part of the Waste Management Master Plan Review. The City held public meetings on May 17, 2022 and on March 1, 2022 to share information about the progress of the project and hear input from residents and businesses. Videos of the presentations are posted in the right panel of this page for residents to review at their convenience.

During the interactive meetings, residents and stakeholders heard about activities currently underway and they discussed new initiatives for waste management services that could be considered to achieve the community’s waste management goals.

If you'd like to be sent a copy of the presentation document that was used during the public meeting (video is posted under the Videos section on the right side of the project page), please contact wasteplan2022@peterborough.ca to request the document.

About Peterborough waste management services

The City of Peterborough provides waste and recycling services to 35,319 households, including 8,209 units in multi-residential buildings. Since the late 1980s, the City has been a leader in waste diversion efforts and has achieved a diversion rate at or above 50 per cent since the early 2000s.

The City manages collection of residential and small industrial, commercial and institutional garbage, which is hauled to the Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility on Bensfort Road for disposal. The City also currently provides curbside collection of recyclable materials through a contract with Emterra Environmental. Recyclable materials are taken to the City’s Materials Recycling Facility at 390 Pido Rd. for processing.

More information about these and other waste programs offered by the City can be found in the 2022 Guide to Waste Management Services.

  • Waste Management Master Plan Review and Update progresses

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    City seeks input on future of waste management

    Residents are invited to share their input on how the community can reduce the amount of waste it sends to the landfill, as part of the City of Peterborough’s review and update of its Waste Management Master Plan.

    A survey is posted on the project website at www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 as one way to provide input into the process. Anyone who is unable to access the online posting of the survey is asked to contact the City at 705-742-7777 ext. 1724. Residents can also submit input by email at wasteplan2022@peterborough.ca or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1724 before the end of day on March 15, 2022.

    Peterborough is a leader among municipalities for waste management with diversion rate of 53% for waste being sent to landfill.

    The City is already taking measures to improve diversion, including the implementation of the GROW (Green Resource Organic Works) city-wide household organic waste collection and processing program that is anticipated to launch in the fall of 2023.

    The Waste Management Master Plan update will include recommendations on how the community can further enhance its waste management goals of minimizing waste and enhancing diversion efforts.

    One of the strategies being considered as part of the review is the implementation of a clear bag requirement for garbage collection. Implementation of clear bag garbage collection programs in other Canadian communities have contributed to reaching diversion rates of more than 70%.

    “Waste management is a core service for our community – and it’s a community-wide effort that each individual and household contributes to by reducing waste production and supporting diversion efforts,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin, Chair of City Council’s Waste Management Portfolio. “We want to hear your ideas on how our community can minimize the amount of waste it creates and how it can divert more waste from landfill. Please see the information on our Waste Management Master Plan and fill out the feedback form.”

    A video of the presentation at a public meeting on March 1, 2022 is posted on the project’s community engagement page on Connect Peterborough at www.connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 for residents to review at their convenience.

    During the interactive meeting, residents and stakeholders heard about activities currently underway and they discussed new initiatives for waste management services that could be considered to achieve the community’s waste management goals.

    A proposed update to the Waste Management Master Plan will go to City Council for review and approval later this year.

  • Waste management master plan review and update underway

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    City achieves 53% diversion from landfill, aims higher

    Numbers released last month show the City of Peterborough is among the leaders in Ontario for waste diversion from landfill, with a diversion rate of 53 per cent. Still, the City is looking for ways it can do better.

    Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 7 p.m. to learn about the City’s review and update of its 2012 Waste Management Master Plan and to give input. To register for the meeting, please visit connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1724.

    Through updating the Plan, the City will consider proven waste diversion programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.

    Recommendations on waste management activities generated through the review process will go to City Council to consider updates to the City’s Waste Management Master Plan.

    Councillor Gary Baldwin, Chair of Council’s Waste Management Portfolio, says he is looking forward to the conversation about how the community can work together to manage and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.

    “We are in the process of starting city-wide household organic waste collection, that should begin next year. This will be a huge step forward for our community,” Baldwin says. “The Waste Management Master Plan update will take a broader look at how we handle waste management services.” Waste diversion numbers are released as part of the annual Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority Datacall, Ontario's standardized waste reporting and calculation process. The numbers released on January 13, 2022 reflect data for 2020.

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Page last updated: 05 Jul 2022, 11:54 AM