Residents invited to provide input on the 2021-2040 Long-term Waste Management Plan

Whitby, Ontario – From September 21 until October 25, Durham Region residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft 2021-2040 Long-term Waste Management Plan (Waste Plan) by visiting the virtual public engagement website at DurhamWasteOpenHouse.ca.

This is Durham’s second phase of consultation for the Waste Plan. It will focus on the proposed targets and actions to achieve the plan’s approved vision and objectives which were developed during the first phase of consultation with residents and stakeholders.

The Waste Plan is a roadmap that describes the Region’s vision and objectives for waste management over the next 20 years. As part of the comprehensive consultation process, residents will be able to visit the engagement website to learn about the draft Waste Plan and Five-Year Action Plan before the new Waste Plan is finalized in 2022. Residents are encouraged to provide input by completing an online survey.

The Waste Plan will help the Region develop innovative ways to use waste as a resource in a circular economy while demonstrating leadership in sustainability and mitigating environmental impacts. New initiatives for using waste as a resource include anaerobic digestion to generate renewable energy from food waste and reuse options for ash generated at the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC).

Durham developed its first Waste Plan in 1999, which covered the period of 2000-2020. Under the first Waste Plan, the Region expanded the Green Bin, Blue Box and Hazardous Waste programs; introduced electronics, textiles, and porcelain recycling; and developed the made-in-Durham waste disposal solution in the DYEC. Through these programs, Durham has significantly increased waste diversion rates.

To learn more about Durham’s Waste Plan, visit durham.ca/WastePlan, or check out the engagement website to provide feedback at DurhamWasteOpenHouse.ca.

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“The feedback we received from our community during the first phase of consultation with residents has been valuable in helping us create the first draft of the Waste Plan. We encourage community members to review the draft and provide their comments again to ensure that the future of waste management in Durham continues to be innovative, sustainable and cost-effective while addressing the needs of our growing and diverse community.”

- Gioseph Anello, Director of Waste Management, The Regional Municipality of Durham

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