AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WASTE DIVERSION PROGRAMS IN ONTARIO, CANADA

摘要

The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate various waste diversion programs in Ontario during the period 1996 to 2010. Waste diversion is a very important component in modern solid waste management, and the key objective is to minimize the amount of landfill disposal. A review of literature suggested that municipal solid waste management in Ontario is complex, and a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Waste management teams are required to understand the sources and generation of wastes, waste characteristics, risk management, emerging technologies, laws and regulations, waste trends, and economic aspects of waste. In this study, Statistics Canada waste data were collected for the period from 1996 to 2010. Although Ontario started waste diversion programs in the 1980s, data during the earlier periods of this study were not readily available. It was found that Ontario had made significant progress in waste diversion until 2008, when the volumes of diverted wastes started to decline. For instance, Ontario generated over 9 million tonnes of solid waste in 2010, but only 2.7 million tons (or 29.7%) was diverted. The results suggested that Ontario should review its current waste diversion programs, and develop new waste management frameworks. The new approach should include the following concepts: implementation of 3Rs, producers based approach, product development and packaging protocols, and development of specific waste management techniques based on materials or locations.