Long-Term Waste Management Plan
Why do we need a Waste Plan?
Durham Region needs a plan to manage our waste for the next 20 years. We’ve accomplished great things with the old plan, now we need to 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
Durham Region is also promoting innovation and environmental sustainability in its Strategic Plan. We’re looking to the future with clean energy solutions, green technologies, programs that divert waste, increasing resource recovery, and concentrating on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To support these objectives, Council approved a Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion Facility. This new facility will result in more waste diversion and the production of renewable natural gas.
What is Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion?
The Mixed Waste Pre-sort facility uses equipment to remove recyclables and organics, like food waste, from garbage. The organics go to the Anaerobic Digestion Facility where bacteria digests the organic waste and creates renewable natural gas. Watch our animated video for an overview of mixed waste pre-sort and anaerobic digestion.
Have your say on the future of waste management in Durham by participating in the Waste Plan virtual consultation. The comment period will close on September 30, 2020.