TORONTO — The Ontario government aims to increase the amount of material recycled across the province and further reduce the waste going to landfill sites.
A 28-page discussion paper released Wednesday by Environment Minister Rod Phillips lists a number of items the province will consider including in future diversion programs:
- small and large appliances
- power tools
- rechargeable batteries
- fluorescent bulbs and tubes
- mattresses
- carpets
- clothing and other textiles
- furniture and other bulky items
"While we know that materials such as clothing and textiles are already re-used and recycled through many voluntary initiatives such as thrift stores, donation programs, community swaps...more can be done," the discussion paper states.
It also notes that recycling in multi-unit residential buildings remains "very low" and says the province will work with municipal, non-profit and private partners to increase participation.
Pointing out that 60 per cent of Ontario's waste comes from the industrial, institutional and commercial sectors, the paper says the government will work with these sectors to reduce the material they send to landfills.
It also plans to make producers responsible for their waste, saying this will make recycling easier and more accessible while at the same time reducing the burden on taxpayers.
"It's producers that know how to get their products to market, how their products are used, and when their life-span is expected to end," the paper states.
Plastic recycling is identified as an area in which the province "can and should be doing better," with 72 per cent of all plastic packaging still being left as waste in 2017.
Food and organic waste will also be targeted for enhanced recycling. According to the government, over 60 per cent of Ontario's food and organic waste currently goes to landfills.
In addition to building "a culture of food waste avoidance" through promotion and education, the province intends to work with groups to encourage the safe rescue of surplus food for use by social agencies.
The government says Ontario's waste diversion rate has stalled at 30 per cent for the past 15 years.
The discussion paper is posted on the Environmental Registry website for a 45-day period.
