Item - 2025.IE24.7

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, in collaboration with the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services, the Executive Director Environment, Climate and Forestry, and where appropriate the Medical Officer of Health, to review how the consultation materials were developed and delivered, including an assessment of the reliability of the underlying environmental data and the selection of the consultant, to ensure that up-to-date environmental and health considerations are consulted on publicly for incorporation in the next report on the residual waste strategy.

2. Requested the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, to report through the residual waste strategy on the environmental standards applicable to existing and approved Ontario energy-from-waste facilities, and how those standards compare to the most stringent European standards in terms of emissions, toxic air contaminants and other pollutants produced.
 

3. Requested the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report through the planned Long-term Solid Waste Management Strategy update in the second quarter of 2026 on the level of contamination in residual waste, including organics, recycling and hazardous waste, and recommendations for waste diversion measures and best estimates as to how these measures can extend the life of the Green Lane landfill.

4. Requested the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services, and the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, to review opportunities for the City's Energy, Climate and Forestry Division to assist in increasing waste diversion.

As directed by Council, Solid Waste Management Services is providing an update on consultations related to the Council approved Residual Waste Management Work Plan (June 14 and 15, 2023). The report outlines the results from consultations on the public’s perceptions of energy-from-waste (for example incineration) as an option to manage residual waste compared to landfilling, the Request for Expression of Interest for public landfills in Ontario, and the use of private landfills in Ontario. The report also outlines the remaining tasks in the 2023 Council approved Work Plan and staff's intent to return to Committee for direction in 2027 once all investigative work for long-term residual waste management has been completed.