Garbage, Recycling and Landfill

Our latest Waste Management Master Plan was developed after significant consultation through an online survey and public information sessions, and approved in 2013.

To date, we have made good progress in completing the priorities of this master plan including standardizing curbside collection service levels in all seven area municipalities, and implementing a user pay (garbage tag) program. This will help extend the life of our landfill.

Future projects include investigating waste diversion options for multi-unit buildings (2019 to 2021) and planning a future disposal facility for garbage.

Need more information about our Waste Management Master Plan? Please,

• Check out the information on our Publications page, 
• Contact our Call Centre 519-575-4400 available 24 hours a day, everyday, or
• Email us.

In 2018:

• The Region of Waterloo diverted an impressive 65 per cent of its waste from landfill. This diversion rate is due to the changes we introduced in 2017 which included:  the same level of curbside collection service in all seven area municipalities, a lower garbage limit, and every second week garbage collection (from weekly). We've seen an increase of 139 per cent in green bin material being collected, 15 per cent increase in yard waste material being collected, 11 per cent increase in blue box material being collected, and 31 per cent decrease in garbage.
• An estimated 1.0 million stops were made each month by curbside collection staff. 
• 38,000 metric tonnes of Blue Box materials were collected at the curb.
• 25,000 metric tonnes of Green Bin material were collected at the curb.
• 18,000 metric tonnes of Yard Waste were collected at the curb.
• 65,000 metric tonnes of residential Garbage were collected at the curb.
• 147,000 metric tonnes of garbage was landfilled. There is approximately 5 million cubic metres of landfill capacity left.
• 10,340 metric tonnes of compost and woodchips were given out at our sites.
• 391,000 transactions were handled at our waste management sites.
• 50,000 calls that related to waste management programs and services went to the Service First Call Centre.
• The cost to the average household through regional property taxes was about $148 for all waste programs and services.

Need more information? Check out our 2018 Annual Report.