Waste

Goal

To progress towards zero waste through an integrated waste management approach.

Why it matters

As a whole, we throw away the equivalent of millions of barrels of oil per year, with significant economic, social, environmental, and cultural impacts. When reused or recycled, there is potential for waste to be useful.

Significant costs, as well as the creation of greenhouse gas emissions and toxic substances, come with waste collection and disposal.

Litter in our community can affect our quality of life and economy. Education and proactive measure can help prevent litter.

Fluorescent lights, electronic waste, and similar materials contain toxic chemicals that pose health and environmental risks.

You can help reduce waste by choosing items with less packaging and avoiding items in single-use plastic containers (e.g., bottled water, plastic bags). Our purchasing decisions can reduce the impact on our landfill.

See the Guiding Principal for: Large Facility Asset Disposal

Objectives

By 2020, the amount of residential solid waste generated annually per capita has decreased by 15% from the 2005 baseline.
By 2020, the amount of commercial solid waste generated annually has decreased by 15% from the 2005 baseline.
By 2020, single use bottled water is phased out of public facilities, schools, and public events in Thunder Bay and a strategy to phase out the use of other plastic containers has been developed.
By 2020, reduce litter through a preventative approach and a culture of litter prevention prevails.
By 2020, increase the diversion of hazardous waste and use less toxic alternatives.