Description
The diversion of organic municipal waste materials (i.e. food waste, leaf and yard waste) through composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) has been a growing focus throughout Canada. Initiatives are largely focused at the provincial or municipal level and as policies and collection programs have become more widespread, availability of reliable data has remained inconsistent and limited. A clear understanding of the policy landscape in addition to reliable data is essential for sound investment and regulatory decision making. The primary goal of this study was to complete a comprehensive survey of the state of organic waste management across Canada at the provincial, territorial, and federal levels.
Objectives
To summarize the provincial, territorial and national information related to organic waste management with respect to:
- diversion policies, programs and approval / permitting regimes,
- diversion program accessibility,
- generation, diversion and disposal of organic waste, and
- processing facilities, their capacity, and the amount processed annually
A review of governmental organic waste management policies and programs indicates that while most Canadian jurisdictions have climate change, waste reduction, or waste diversion related goals, organics diversion from disposal is the most common goal, and is used by 10 provinces. These goals are one mechanism that supports Canada’s existing organics management infrastructure which, in 2019, was comprised of 328 compost and 59 anaerobic digestion facilities. Residential access to curbside and drop-off organics management programs also support existing infrastructure with 91 percent of the population living in an area with some type of organics management program.
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