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York Region saw 94% waste diversion from landfill in 2023

Regional council’s goal of 90 per cent waste diversion from landfill has been surpassed for the seventh consecutive year
NewmarketToday Staff
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Stock photoTom Fisk via Pexels

The Regional Municipality of York achieved 94 per cent diversion from landfill in 2023, exceeding regional council’s goal of 90 per cent waste diversion from landfill for the seventh consecutive year.

York Region’s diversion rate includes all waste collection through local municipal curbside programs, waste depot diversion programs and energy from waste, according to a news release.

The 2023 annual waste management report summarizes York Region’s diversion and waste reduction initiatives and highlights progress made on implementing the integrated waste management master plan (SM4RT Living Plan).This includes:

  • Successfully navigating legislative changes, including preparing for the blue box program transition to full producer responsibility and finding alternatives to single-use items
  • Using resources and infrastructure more strategically to achieve SM4RT Living, including contracting construction and operation of a state-of-the-art biofuel facility to manage organics and produce renewable natural gas
  • Inspiring people across York Region to embrace SM4RT Living and advance the circular economy through the Circular Economy Initiatives Fund and helping businesses reduce reliance on single-use items

“York Region and local municipalities are making strong progress on all goals in the waste management report,” said Richmond Hill Mayor David West, chair of public works and environmental services. “We are expanding efforts to reuse and repair items, helping shift toward a circular economy and securing long-term organics processing locally.”

York Region monitors progress toward waste reduction targets set in the SM4RT Living Plan by tracking amounts of waste households put out at the curb. Learn more about York Region’s programs to help reduce waste at york.ca/Waste.

2023 key waste facts:

  • 44,640 tonnes of blue box materials were sorted and marketed to be made into new products
  • 105,479 tonnes of green bin organics were processed into compost, biogas and fertilizer
  • 1,197 tonnes of household hazardous waste were safely managed