Resource Recovery Strategy

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The Resource Recovery Strategy involves the development of a plan to maximize waste reduction, reuse, recycling and resource recovery in an economical viable and environmentally responsible manner.


The 60% Waste Diversion Action Plan is a standalone plan and part of the larger Resource Recovery Strategy. The City’s Action Plan proposes a set of actions to achieve 60% waste diversion of residential waste by the end of 2022.


The Resource Recovery Strategy involves the development of a plan to maximize waste reduction, reuse, recycling and resource recovery in an economical viable and environmentally responsible manner.


The 60% Waste Diversion Action Plan is a standalone plan and part of the larger Resource Recovery Strategy. The City’s Action Plan proposes a set of actions to achieve 60% waste diversion of residential waste by the end of 2022.


  • What is proposed?

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    To plan for the future the City has started development of a long term Resource Recovery Strategy. The Resource Recovery Strategy involves the development of a plan to maximize waste reduction, reuse, recycling and resource recovery in an economically viable and environmentally responsible manner.

    The Resource Recovery Strategy will identify:

    • areas of continuous improvement to maximize waste diversion and resource recovery including increasing the current London household waste diversion rate to 60% by 2022 from the current rate of 45%;
    • opportunities for advanced resource recovery and increased waste diversion through new, emerging and next generation technologies and where these technologies may play a role in London and area;
    • areas to reduce or maintain current costs of City programs;
    • ways in which to support local job creation efforts;
    • ways in which to maximize program convenience to Londoners; and,
    • methods to align with Provincial direction and the Waste Free Ontario Act.

  • Background

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    In London more than one tonne of waste is produced per person per year. This includes waste generated at home as well as waste generated by businesses. Much of this waste is diverted through numerous waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting programs. The waste that remains can be considered “Residual Waste”. All of the Residual Waste from households and a portion generated by businesses is disposed of at the City’s W12A Landfill Site. This landfill opened in 1977 and is expected to reach capacity in 2025 based on the current amount of waste being received.

  • Environmental, Social and Financial Benefits of 60% Waste Diversion Action Plan

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    In addition to avoiding increased disposal costs for the City, by taking the steps in the Action Plan a number of benefits will be achieved including:

    • increased waste diversion (33% more diversion),
    • creation of jobs (between 125 and 170 direct and indirect; within and outside London),
    • reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (about 17,000 to 27,000 tonnes per year, equivalent of removing 4,200 to 6,800 cars from the road),
    • reduced landfill impacts (less odourous materials being landfilled, less traffic, etc.),
    • better use of materials and resources,
    • residents will feel satisfaction/pride living in an environmentally progressive community, and
    • short-term landfill cost savings.

  • Action Plan Programs and Initiatives

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    The City will explore various actions to be phased in between 2019 and 2022 for increasing residential waste diversion including:

    • Increasing the amount captured in the Blue Box program
    • New recycling programs: such as textiles, metal and bulky items (carpets, furniture, mattresses, bulky plastics)
    • Curbside organics program (Green Bin) and bi-weekly garbage collection
    • Multi-residential organics program (mixed waste pilot program)
    • Other organic initiatives such as food waste reduction, home composting, community composting
    • Waste Reduction & Reuse Programs such as waste reduction education and policies, lending libraries, reuse events, etc.
Page last updated: 20 Mar 2020, 01:24 PM