Organic Waste Review and Annual Reporting

Summary#

This bill changes Ontario’s Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. It orders a short-term review of how organic waste (food scraps, yard waste, etc.) is kept out of landfills and sent to composting. It also requires public, yearly reporting on how much organic waste is in landfills and the greenhouse gases it produces. The goal is to divert organic waste from landfills and cut emissions.

• Creates a working group within 60 days to study source-separated organics programs and the best ways to divert organic waste from landfills to composting.
• Requires the group to include at least 11 members with expertise, plus representatives from resident associations, landfill operators, waste service companies, and the Authority named in the Act.
• The group must examine organics in landfills, greenhouse gas emissions, causes of disposal, programs in other places, and strategies that could work in Ontario.
• The group must report to the Minister within 6 months. The Minister must table the report in the Legislature and publish it within 15 days, and provide a response within 3 months.
• Requires the Minister to publish an annual public report on organic waste in landfills, progress on the 2017 “Strategy for a Waste‑Free Ontario,” program results, and a plan for the reporting year.
• Allows the Minister to request information on organic waste from the Authority, municipalities, landfill operators, waste companies, and owners of commercial, institutional, and industrial properties.

What it means for you#

• Residents

  • No immediate new sorting rules or fees are created by this bill.
  • You will be able to read a public report each year on organic waste in landfills and related emissions.
  • Your local green bin or organics program may be reviewed, but changes (if any) would come later and are not set by this bill.

• Municipalities

  • May be asked to provide data on organic waste and local organics programs.
  • Local source-separated organics programs will be part of the review.
  • Could be invited to participate or be represented through the working group’s membership categories.
  • Future recommendations could suggest program changes, but this bill itself does not mandate new collection rules.

• Landfill site operators

  • Must provide information if requested, including data related to organic waste in your sites and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
  • May need new or improved tracking to supply the requested data.

• Waste collection, sorting, processing, and hauling companies

  • May be asked to share data on collection and processing of organic waste.
  • A representative from your sector will be on the working group.

• Owners of commercial, institutional, and industrial properties

  • May be required to provide information on organic waste generation or disposal from your properties.
  • The annual report will break out contributions by property type.

• Timing

  • Working group formed within 60 days of the law taking effect.
  • Working group report due within 6 months of being formed; Minister’s response due within 3 months after receiving it.
  • First annual report due within one year after the Minister’s response, then yearly.

Expenses#

The bill may increase administrative costs, but no estimate is available.

• Costs to the province to set up and run the working group, analyze data, and produce annual public reports.
• Potential costs for municipalities, landfill operators, waste service companies, and owners of commercial, institutional, and industrial properties to gather and report data.
• The bill does not create new fees, fines, or funding programs.
• It does not specify penalties or enforcement methods if information is not provided, so related enforcement costs are unclear.
• No fiscal note or budget estimate is provided in the supplied material.

Proponents' View#

• The bill appears intended to reduce landfill waste and cut greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organics.
• It creates clear timelines and public accountability through a short, focused review and annual reporting.
• It brings in technical experts and key groups (residents, operators, and industry) to identify practical solutions.
• It aims to base actions on data about how much organic waste is in landfills, why it gets there, and what works in other jurisdictions.
• It tracks progress on Ontario’s 2017 circular economy strategy and sets near-term plans each year.

Opponents' View#

• One concern is that the bill focuses on study and reporting, not on mandating diversion targets, new services, or infrastructure.
• It may place new data and reporting burdens on municipalities, businesses, and property owners without offering funding.
• The bill defines “source separated organics program” as one operated by or for a municipality, which may leave out non‑municipal programs in the review.
• It is unclear how the Minister will verify data quality or measure greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste at landfills, which can be complex.
• The bill does not specify penalties or enforcement if requested information is not provided.
• The annual plan is for the reporting year only, and the bill does not require longer-term implementation actions or timelines.