Waste Management Master Plan

The Region of Waterloo has begun a new Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP) study to look at waste collection, diversion and disposal over the next 20 years and beyond.

The Waste Management Master Plan survey is now closed. Thank you for your interest.

Why do we need a Waste Management Master Plan?
The Region's current WMMP was completed in 1986, and served as the guide for waste management programs and services for the past 25 years. The Region has implemented most of the recommendations from that plan, including:

• expanding the recycling program Region-wide, including to residents in multi-residential housing and rural areas;
• expanding the Household Hazardous Waste program;
• introducing curbside collection of leaf and yard waste;
• building the Nyle Ludolph Materials Recycling Centre; and
• approving the expansion of the Waterloo landfill to current site limits.

The principles of the 1986 WMMP were also used to guide the development and rollout of the Region's Green Bin program. The success of these programs has extended the life of the Waterloo landfill, but it still has a limited amount of space.

A new master plan study will consider our growing population, changes to Ontario legislation, advances in waste management technology, and limited landfill capacity. The plan will guide the future of Waste Management for the Region.

How will the WMMP be developed?
Over the next 18 months, the Region will look at current waste management programs, identify opportunities to divert even more waste from our landfill, and recommend options for final waste disposal once the landfill has reached the end of its site life. The Region will be looking for feedback from the community as we build a sustainable plan for waste collection, diversion and disposal in Waterloo Region.

How do I get involved?

1. Sign up for updates
Residents, businesses and other stakeholders will be invited to provide comments and feedback through surveys, online media, Public Information events, as well as providing comments at any time to the project team. To receive updates about the WMMP study, please send your name, address and contact details to waste@regionofwaterloo.ca.

2. Attend the Public Information events or complete our surveys
Two rounds of public consultation (Public Information events) will be held over the course of the study, allowing staff to present information to the community, and gather input. Details regarding the Public Information events will be advertised online and in the local media. Interested parties can also sign up for the WMMP Stakeholder List to be contacted directly about these events. Please send your name, address and contact details to waste@regionofwaterloo.ca.

The first round of Public Information events, and the first Waste Management Master Plan survey took place in Fall 2012. The next round will be held in Winter 2013.

3. Review the Project Reports and Information
All of the Project Reports and Information developed as part of the Waste Management Master Plan study are available to view online. If you have any comments, questions or concerns regarding these documents, please email us at waste@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Background documents

• Stakeholder's Group Terms of Reference and Region Conflict of Interest Statement
• 2011 update to 1986 Waste Management Master Plan
• E-12-023: Consultant Selection for the Waste Management Master Plan
• E-10-073: Proposed Waste Management Master Plan Update
• Bloom Report: Soil Material Management

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