Waste Management Master Plan Review and Update progresses

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.