Province approves Terms of Reference for Durham York Residual Waste Study 

Both Regions commended for made-in-Ontario plan for landfill diversion

NEWMARKET – The Government of Ontario has approved the Terms of Reference for the Durham York Residual Waste Study, allowing both Regions to jointly move forward with an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine an effective means of managing leftover (residual) waste that cannot be recycled or composted.  The EA will consider a range of processing technologies and treatments, including the latest thermal technologies, to identify a preferred system for managing wastes that remain after diversion.

“I’m pleased to see the Province give us a ‘green light’ on our waste diversion efforts,” said York Regional Chair and CEO Bill Fisch.  “With the Terms of Reference approved, we can move forward with our partners in Durham Region to develop long-term plans to deal with our waste.”

Both York and Durham Regions currently ship most of their residual waste to landfill sites in the State of Michigan.  Increasing pressure from legislators and others in Michigan has prompted Ontario jurisdictions to explore “made-in-Ontario” solutions.

“I congratulate the Regions for having the foresight to develop a long-term waste management plan and for seeking local solutions,” said the Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment, in her Terms of Reference approval letter.  “Furthermore, I commend the Regions’ commitments to expand diversion programs to achieve a goal of 60 per cent diversion by 2011.”

Both York and Durham Regions will be moving forward with the EA process, which will consider different waste processing technologies and identify a preferred residual waste management system.  This process will include:

• The announcement of the preferred alternative solution to manage residual waste on April 18^th
• Public information sessions from May 9-11^th
• Deputations from the public to the Solid Waste Management Committee on May 17^th

“Public input has been and will continue to be a vital element of our residual waste management plans,” said City of Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Ferri, Chair of the Region’s Solid Waste Management Committee.  “These next steps will be critical if we are to develop a comprehensive means of managing our residual waste that is both effective and in keeping with the wishes of our residents.”

For more information on the Regional Municipality of York and the services our Region offers, please visit our Web site at: www.york.ca

Media Contact:         Michael Kemp, Corporate Communications, York Region

                                 Phone:  (905) 830-4444, ext. 1232 or after-hours pager 905-830-3302

                                 Email: michael.kemp@york.ca