Future of Waste

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Changes are coming to the way you sort and manage waste, at home and at work.

Public engagement is your opportunity to help us adjust and shape these changes by providing thoughts and perspectives.

Thank you to the many Edmontonians who shared their thoughts on how waste is sorted and managed, through our online surveys and at drop-in sessions. Input from the public and stakeholders will help inform decisions about Edmonton's future waste system and determine which recommendations are brought forward for City Council approval

The survey is now closed. Watch for the results from the survey and public engagement sessions in a publicly-available What We Heard report, which will be presented to Council this summer.

Future of Waste e-News

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive information about the new waste services strategies, potential changes to waste services and upcoming public engagement events.

View past issues:

April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018

Public Engagement

Completed

February 10 - April 15, 2019

Based on the results of public engagement in Fall 2018, we continued to gather input from residents and stakeholders to further refine decisions and recommendations. The report will be available in June 2019.

Topics included:

Options for curbside garbage and recycling set-outs
Waste drop-off locations
Grass, leaf and yard waste
Single-use plastics restrictions
Zero Waste goal
Education opportunities

Phase 2 Future of Waste Information Panels

October 1 - November 30, 2018 — Proposed Changes to Waste Programs and Services

We gathered input from residents, multi-unit stakeholders and non-residential stakeholders about proposed changes to waste programs and services. Thank you to those who have shared their input and perspectives with us.

Phase 1 Future of Waste Information Panels

Survey Report

Topics included:

Options for curbside garbage set-outs (such as bag or cart)
Waste reduction and diversion
Food waste and reuse
Single-use plastics restrictions
Zero Waste goal

What We Heard Summary Report
Results will be used to help shape a new waste strategy and changes to waste services for Edmonton.

April 2018 — Grass and Yard Waste

We gathered input from residents, property managers and lawn and yard care companies about possible changes to residential grass and yard waste collection services. Thank you to those who have shared their feedback and perspectives with us.

Final Report: What We Heard
Results will be used to develop proposed future grass and yard waste collection service changes.

January 2018 — Market Research

Waste Services conducted a phone survey and four focus groups to ask participants about their current waste habits, and their willingness to support future changes to residential waste programs and services, such as:

Separating food scraps from other types of garbage
Volume limits for garbage
Ceasing collection of grass clippings in the garbage
Moving to seasonal yard waste collection
Use of clear bags for garbage

Final Report: Phone survey - Topline report

We’re Listening

Do you want to provide feedback about the proposed changes? Please complete this form. Although we won't be replying to individual comments, feedback submitted will be summarized by Waste Services to ensure that all residents' perspectives have been captured.

Project Timeline

June 28, 2019
Waste strategy and results of public engagement will be presented to Utility Committee.

February 10 - April 15, 2019
Phase 2 Public Engagement

Validation of ideas. Sharing information gathered in Phase 1 and asking, "Does this resonate with you? What did we miss?" Gathering ideas and feedback for implementation of possible changes.

Diving into details. Using the input we heard in Phase 1 to ask follow-up questions and discuss more of the details of how residents may be expected to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste in the future.

Spring 2019 onwards
Demonstration phase for carts to select number of homes. (8,000 homes)

2020 and Beyond
Full implementation of collection changes for grass, leaf and yard waste, pending Council approval.
Begin rollout of future changes.

Background

The City of Edmonton's Waste Services Branch is developing a new strategic plan, focusing on actions that will help the City divert more waste from landfill.

Council Decisions

February 2019

Utility Committee:

Reviewed the report called Citizen Feedback on Additional Residential Waste Diversion Programs, which included findings from last fall's Phase 1 What We Heard Report summary of public engagement results.

City Council:

Approved a motion for Phase 2 Public Engagement to gather public input to inform a proposed Zero Waste framework, with final recommendations to be included in the waste strategy.
Approved the Organics Management report, and recommendations and actions for the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Sector Strategic Review Report (non-residential sector).

March 2018

Several recommendations to help increase residential waste diversion were approved by Council, including:

Engaging Edmontonians on how grass, leaf and yard waste are collected
Introducing a source-separated organics program for kitchen scraps starting in fall 2020
Talking with Edmontonians about other waste program and service options
Reviewing our diversion rate calculations
Presenting options for a pilot project on source-separated organics
Presenting options for food waste reduction strategies
Updating waste policies

June 2018

Utility Committee approved two motions which may shape the new Waste Strategy:

Examination of single-use plastics policies and practices
Examination of Zero Waste policies and targets

August 2018

Utility Committee accepted eight reports from Waste Services, including:

25-year strategic outlook and project overview
Alternative residential collection options for grass, leaf and yard waste
A Source Separated Organics pilot for residents
Strategic review of industrial, commercial and institutional sector
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Single-use plastics
Food waste reduction program strategies
2019-2022 business plan

Utility Committee asked Waste Services:

To bring back further analysis on two of the grass and yard waste collection options at a future meeting
To conduct detailed engagement with the industrial, commercial and institutional sector as part of the strategic plan development
To bring back further information, analysis and recommendations on non-residential waste, EPR, single-use plastics, food waste and the results of the fall 2018 public engagement

September 2018

City Council approved the launch of changes to residential collection of grass, leaf and yard waste, along with an education and awareness campaign, beginning in the second quarter of 2019. Participation in the changes will be voluntary until bylaw changes take effect in 2020.

For More Information

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	wasteman@edmonton.ca

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

wasteman@edmonton.ca

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Future of Waste

Future of Waste e-News

Completed

February 10 - April 15, 2019

April 2018 — Grass and Yard Waste

January 2018 — Market Research

We’re Listening

Future of Waste

Project Timeline

Background

Council Decisions

Related Documents

Related Links

For More Information