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What is a Waste Minimization Plan?
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| A 5-year Waste Minimization Plan or WMP for short is a document that describes potential ways the City can reduce waste and increase waste diversion from its landfill site over the next five years. It sets out a number of recommendations to help the City meet its diversion goals and milestones over the next 5 years. |
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Why do we need a Waste Minimization Plan?
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The Plan is required as a condition of operating the landfill site. A plan provides a focused approach to managing our waste for the next 5 years. We’ve accomplished great things with previous plans, and it’s time to once again look to the future.
Now, more than ever, we need to consider:
- Population growth
- More people means more waste to manage
- Changes to regulations
- Climate change
- Waste as a resource
- Circular Economy
Orillia is also committed to taking action to improve the City’s environmental sustainability and becoming a leading municipality in environmental initiatives that will reduce Orillia’s environmental footprint. This is outlined in the City’s Strategic Plan under the theme of “Healthy Environment: Commitment to environmental sustainability by excelling on items such as waste management, greenery and water management practices.”
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Has Orillia ever had a Waste Minimization Plan before?
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Orillia developed its first Waste Minimization Plan in 1992 and has updated the plan every five years since 2006. Under these prior plans, the City has expanded its recycling programs, initiated a green bin collection program and every other week garbage collection, and most recently, the City approved a clear garbage bag program.
Over the years the City has increased its waste diversion rate from 52% in 2006 to approximately 64% in 2020. These efforts have extended the life of the City’s landfill, which presently sits at approximately 45 years at the current fill rates.
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What information will be included in the Waste Minimization Plan?
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The WMP will provide an ambitious program of waste minimization for Orillia for the upcoming 5 years. The overall purpose of a WMP is to minimize waste disposal at the landfill and to improve diversion and recycling programs. This plan will also address Condition 11.2 of the landfill’s ECA. The plan follows the waste management hierarchy including waste reduction, reusing, and recycling.
Please see the 2016 Waste Minimization Plan.
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| What steps will be taken to consult the community? |
| The WMAC has been working with staff to set-up updated website information and advertise a Have Your Say Survey. The Committee is also hosting a Virtual Open House to be able to provide an overview of the existing Waste Management Program and provide an opportunity for a question and answer session. |
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How can I provide feedback? Public comment period closed on May 12, 2021 at midnight.
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WMAC sought feedback from the public in several ways looking for ideas, creative solutions, or simple best practices used in your homes to maximize reuse, recycling and composting, and to minimize waste going to the landfill.
Please review the information on the existing 2016 Waste Minimization Plan and current Programs – Solid Waste Management Annual Report.
- The Virtual Open House was held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 6 to 8 p.m.
- The Waste Minimization Survey was available from April 21 to May 12, 2021 at midnight.
- Written submissions have also been received.
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How much will this plan cost?
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The plan is being undertaken by City staff and the Waste Management Advisory Committee so there are no extra costs to the taxpayer.
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When will the plan be finished?
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The plan will be complete by the end of June of 2021 and once approved by Council, the plan will be posted publicly on the City’s website.
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How does the City of Orillia currently manage waste?
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Please see the latest Solid Waste Management Annual Report posted on the City’s website.
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What is a Circular Economy?
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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. |
| What is Extended Producer Responsibility? |
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Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR is an environmental protection strategy to reach an environmental objective of a decreased total environmental impact of a product, by making the manufacturer of the product responsible for the entire life-cycle of the product and especially for the take-back, recycling and final disposal of that product (including the packaging of that product).
In Ontario, EPR is being used 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. Under approved EPR programs, companies will need to arrange collection systems for designated products and manage the end of life recycling or disposal of these products. Currently, tires, electronics, batteries, household hazardous waste and blue box paper and packaging are designated materials. Many of these products are gradually transitioning to full 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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