Waste management in a city the size of Toronto is a complex task. In 2023, the City managed close to 830,000 tonnes of waste, including recycling, Green Bin organics, yard waste, garbage and more. Despite efforts to reduce, reuse and divert waste, close to 400,000 tonnes of this was garbage.
With a growing population, Toronto’s waste is anticipated to grow and landfill capacity in Ontario is estimated to run out in the next ten years. A long-term strategy is required to more accurately reflect Toronto’s current and future waste management needs and progress towards the City’s aspirational zero-waste goals.
The Long-term Waste Management Strategy (Waste Strategy) (Executive Summary, Full Report), approved by City Council in 2016, provides a roadmap on how to manage our waste for the next 30 to 50 years.
In June 2023, City Council directed Solid Waste Management Services to update the Long-term Waste Management Strategy (Waste Strategy Update) as part of its consideration of the Residual Waste Management Work Plan.
The City is working on updating the 2016 Long-term Waste Management Strategy to better anticipate future needs, identify options to reduce waste produced by a growing population and minimize the amount of garbage requiring disposal as the City’s Green Lane Landfill approaches its capacity by 2035.
In 2025, public consultations on the Waste Strategy will include discussion about garbage disposal options including landfill and energy-from-waste (incineration).
It is critical to start discussions now, as planning, regulatory approvals and construction of any new waste disposal infrastructure can take more than ten years. It will also include a work plan for the implementation period of 2026 to 2036.
The Waste Strategy Update is being prepared in three phases. Each phase includes public consultation and input from the public and interest groups. Phase 1 consultation for the Waste Strategy Update took place in the fall of 2024 and a copy of the consultation report summarizing all activities and feedback received is now available.
Join us to learn more and share your ideas about what the City should consider to achieve its long-term waste management goals and about energy-from-waste compared to landfilling as a garbage disposal option.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
City Hall, Council Chambers, 100 Queen St. W.
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Watch the livestream of the public event on YouTube.
Download the Phase 2 public event presentation slides:
Access to the event location is wheelchair/mobility aid accessible. If you require other disability-related accommodation to participate, please contact us one week before the event.
Public opinion, along with technical and policy considerations, will be used to inform staff recommendations and decisions made by City Council.
If you have additional feedback or questions about the Waste Strategy, you can email WasteStrategy@toronto.ca or call 416-392-3760.
The first consultation phase sought feedback on how the City has done so far on implementing the 2016 Waste Strategy. It was also an opportunity for:
The City offered a survey, a public drop-in event and two virtual public meetings.
View the information panels from the public drop-in event.
In the first phase of the Waste Strategy Update, the City:
Read the Phase 1 consultation report.
In the second phase of the Waste Strategy Update, the City will complete and seek feedback on the following:
More information about residual waste disposal options can be found on the Residual Waste Management webpage.
Following the completion of Phases 1 and 2, the City will:
Phase 3 consultation will focus on:
The 2016 Long-term Waste Management Strategy was developed over two years and was supported by extensive research, guidance from key interest groups and a comprehensive public consultation and engagement plan. The Strategy was approved by City Council in July 2016, and recommended waste reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and residual disposal policies and programs.