The City of Greater Sudbury anticipates that its three landfills will reach capacity in approximately 25 years if current disposal practices persist. Renée Brownlee, the city’s environmental services director, highlighted that about 30% of landfill waste consists of organic materials that could be diverted to composting facilities. However, only 40% of eligible low-density households participate in the city’s green bin program. Since the program’s inception in 2009, the participation rate was as low as 27% in 2018 but increased when the city implemented a two-bag limit for garbage collection every two weeks. Both green bin and blue bin collections occur weekly.
Brownlee emphasized the importance of increasing organic waste diversion, pointing out that while the blue box program boasts a participation rate of around 97-98%, there is still significant room for improvement. She stressed the community’s crucial role in boosting participation to extend the lifespan of landfills.
The city estimates that establishing a new landfill would cost a minimum of $200 million and necessitate approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, a process that could span over a decade. Considering alternative waste management options, an incinerator would likely exceed the cost of a new landfill, with Ottawa contemplating a $450-million incineration project.
To enhance green bin program participation, Brownlee proposed two options. The first involves mandating clear garbage bags for household waste, a measure already yielding high diversion rates in other municipalities. The second option entails implementing a pay-per-use system, where residents pay for each garbage bag utilized. These initiatives aim to not only prolong landfill lifespan but also reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Organic waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when deprived of the necessary conditions for composting. The city currently harnesses some methane produced at its main landfill site to generate electricity, powering hundreds of homes annually. However, not all methane emissions are captured, with two of the city’s landfills lacking methane collection systems. The city rigorously tests compost for safety before selling it to the public for gardening or commercial use, ensuring efficient waste management practices.