1. Waste Diversion in Canada
MacKay 2011

2. WHAT IS WASTE DIVERSION?
Waste diversion directs garbage away from landfills or incinerators.
Waste management is the process of collecting, processing and disposing of waste.

3. WHY DIVERT WASTE FROM LANDFILLS?
1. Environmental Benefits
2. Economic Benefits
3. Social Benefits

4. Environmental Benefits
Recycling uses less energy than disposal in a landfill
Manufacturing with recycled materials is more energy-efficient than virgin materials
Reduces greenhouse gases and toxins emitted from landfills
More land is available for agricultural and other uses.
Reuse and recycling conserve resources

5. Economic Benefits
Fewer landfill sites are needed, saving the cost of creating new landfills or transporting waste to more distant landfills.
Creates jobs: For every tonnes of waste – Recycling produces 9 jobs, Composting 7 jobs, Landfills only 1 job
Generate revenue from selling compost to the community.

6. Social Benefits
Reduced landfill usage improves quality of life in adjacent communities
Reduces pollutants and improves health.
Waste diversion encourages environmentally sustainable behaviour.

7. Four Keys to Success 1. Partnerships and Collaboration
Can be generated with local citizens, organizations, educational institutions, government
Working together ensures greater buy-in and participation in diversion
2. Convenient Options
Curbside collection or drop-off centres
3. Policy and Legislation
Essential to the effort
Example: Bylaws limiting waste disposal, charging for garbage
4. Education and Promotion
Inform the public about waste diversion programs and how to participate effectively
Reward waste diversion activities

8. Some ways to divert waste:
1. Recycling
2. Compositing and Vermicomposting
3. Biofuel

9. Recycling
Recycling: the processing of used materials into new products
Benefits:
More economical - $35 for curbside recycling pickup vs. $80 for curbside garbage pick up to landfills
Cuts waste volumes
Decreases demands for raw resources
Reduces air pollution

10. Composting and Vermicomposting
Composting: organic matter that is piled and left to decompose
Vermicomposting: the decomposition of organic matter by worms
Benefits:
End product can be recycled for fertilizer
Gases released from decomposition can be harnessed for energy use via fuel cells
Cheap

11. Vermicomposting Success
TerraCycle
US based company out of New Jersey
Uses recyclables to sell fertilizer made from vermicomposting
Has recently extended business into Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Sweden and Turkey with plans to extend to Germany and France

12. TerraCycle ‘Up-cycling’ Products

13. Biofuels
Biofuels: the conversion of biomass into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Example: Bio-ethanol
Benefits
Renewable
Produce less greenhouse gas emission than fossil fuels
Biodegradable – contain less toxins
Can use agricultural waste and other wastes for production
 Less dangerous and less harmful to the Earth’s surface

14. Kingston
Kingston has a waste diversion rate of 44.7% according of Waste Diversion Ontario
Goal – 65%