Ottawa considering restrictions on bulky items, new fees to extend the life of the Trail Road dump
The city of Ottawa is considering new restrictions on mattresses, furniture and other bulky items going to the Trail Road Landfill in a bid to extend the life of the dump in Ottawa's south end.
A new report proposes restrictions on bulky items, increasing fees for throwing out waste, diverting waste to private facilities and exploring new technologies to deal with waste.
City staff said in June that the landfill on Trail Road had 30 per cent remaining capacity at the end of 2019, and could run out of space in the next 15 years.
With the cost of establishing a new landfill ranging from $100 million to $200 million, the city is looking at measures to extend the life of the landfill. The standing committee on environmental protection, water and waste management will debate the measures on Tuesday.
Staff say the Residual Waste Management Strategy will optimize the remaining space at the dump and reduce the waste going to the Trail Road Landfill in the short to medium-term.
The report outlines six specific opportunities to divert waste in the next one to three years:
- Limiting types of waste received at the Trail Road dump, specifically bulky and non-residential waste
- Reviewing tipping fees, specifically exploring a tipping fee strategy that would create an incentive to reduce the waste disposal of difficult to manage items
- Redirecting residential waste to private disposal facilities
- Make operational improvements to increase the quantity of waste that can be deposited in the landfill
- Increase awareness of the value of the Trail Waste Facility through public education and outreach
- Designing the framework for a future residual waste management technologies pilot program
When it comes to limiting types of waste at the dump, the city will look at two types of waste – "quick-win" bulky waste alternatives where markets for diversion exist and limiting non-residential waste at the landfill. Staff note bulky waste (i.e. furniture, and mattresses) does not compact well within the landfill and takes up more space.
For tipping fees, the city will look at increasing fees to dump certain materials and non-residential waste.
If approved, staff will evaluate each option and report back to council starting next year.
The city owned and operated Trail Waste Facility Landfill opened in May 1980 and was initially expected to receive waste for 20 years. The city extended its lifespan through the expansion of airspace, development of new waste cells and improvements in the diversion policy.
The city of Ottawa is developing the Solid Waste Master Plan with long-term strategies for dealing with Ottawa's waste over 30 years. Options on the table include a set limit for garbage bags and a pay-as-you-throw system.
"Both short and long-term options need to be considered to preserve and extend its life," says staff about the Trail Waste Facility Landfill.
"There are viable short and medium-term options for increasing capacity and extending its life, including specific material bans, tipping fee adjustments and sourcing additional private landfill capacity."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.