York Region diverts 94% of waste from landfill, top diversion rates achieved

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York achieved 94% waste diversion from landfill in 2022, exceeding Regional Council’s goal of 90% for the sixth year in a row. York Region’s diversion rate includes all waste collection through local municipal curbside programs, waste depot diversion programs and energy-from-waste.

“York Region’s exemplary leadership in waste reduction and diversion is demonstrated year-after-year as we continue carrying out our vision for a world without waste,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “With strong focus on partnerships and innovation, waste generation rates have declined and our programs continue to promote more sustainable behaviours and community collaboration.”

The 2022 Annual Waste Management Report outlines York Region’s waste reduction and diversion initiatives and highlights progress on the Integrated Waste Management Master Plan (SM4RT Living Plan) including:

• Waste generation rates have decreased sharply following two years of increases due to COVID-19; green bin and garbage rates are now close to 2019 levels
• York Region and local cities and towns continue making progress on all objectives in the SM4RT Living Plan including advancing procurement of long-term organics processing, continued advocacy on single-use plastics and extended producer responsibility
• York Region Waste depots scored 4.5 out of 5 in customer satisfaction

In June 2022, the Government of Canada finalized Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations which impacted many common single-use plastics such as checkout bags, cutlery and takeout containers. Regional and local staff have organized a joint working group to work collaboratively, share knowledge and build education resources to help York Region businesses and residents reduce their reliance on single-use items.

York Region is recognizing Plastics-Free July, an international effort to raise awareness and drive action to reduce negative impacts of single-use plastics on the environment.

“Regional and local city and town staff are doing remarkable work together to support our communities as we transition away from single-use plastics toward a circular economy,” said Richmond Hill Mayor David West. “With York Region’s Circular Economy Roadmap, education campaigns and programs like the Repair Café and Lendery, York Region continues to find new and innovative ways to focus on the 4Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.”

Through the SM4RT Living Plan, York Region continues to advance reduction, diversion and circular economy actions. In 2022, reuse programming such as Repair Cafes and Lenderies restarted and the first round of Circular Economy Initiatives Fund projects were completed.

In 2022, York Region submitted a 66% diversion rate to the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority for verification. Provincial diversion rates differ as energy-from-waste is not recognized. York Region has ranked first in the large urban municipalities category for the last 10 years. In 2021, York Region’s verified diversion rate of 65% was the highest in the province.

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices 

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Media Contact

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
437-997-6821 @email  

Jenny Burton, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
@email