Project Overview

Since 1973, the Region of Waterloo has provided waste management collection, disposal and diversion services and programs to residents and businesses across the region.

The Region of Waterloo is updating its Long-term Waste Management Strategy (LTWMS) to address our growing community's evolving waste management needs and support sustainable and affordable waste management practices.

This strategy will set up a framework for managing waste over the next 25 years through minimizing environmental impacts, managing waste sustainably and fiscally responsibly, fostering reuse/repair (a circular economy), aligning with provincial and federal regulations, improving efficiencies, and encouraging public awareness.

The main goals are to divert more waste from the landfill, reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a circular economy to foster a culture of sustainability. The strategy will explore a wide range of options to ensure sustainable, affordable and reliable waste services that address residential, commercial, industrial, and hazardous waste.

We anticipate the strategy will be completed by fall 2026 and approved by Council in early 2027.

Get Involved

We believe that everyone has an important role to play in waste management and reduction. Share your input on the Draft Long Term Waste Management Strategy!

Phase 3 Survey: Steps to a Successful Strategy

Share your thoughts and ideas regarding implementation for the Draft LTWMS! The survey will be open for feedback from June 8 to June 26, 2026.

Learn more about the full Strategy through the Technical Memoranda and the Draft LTWMS Document.

Phase 3: Create a roadmap

In Phase 1 we launched the project and engaged on the vision, guiding principles and gathered ideas for the LTWMS update.

In Phase 2 we used that feedback to create a set of possible actions and programs that the Region can take to reduce waste. We presented these actions to gather your feedback and input.

In Phase 3 we used the feedback from Phase 2 to draft the LTWMS. We are presenting the draft LTWMS for feedback to confirm that it meets the community’s needs. Click here for the Draft Strategy.

It is based on 6 strategic priorities that are supported by specific initiatives:

1. Performance Monitoring: Using system-wide audits and data to track progress and inform future diversion programs.

• Conduct waste audits to improve waste programs

2. Diversion & Recovery: Implementing targeted programs for high-impact materials such as construction debris, food waste and large apartment streams.

• Create new programs to divert and reuse more materials
• Implement material bans to keep items out of the garbage
• Create a plan for construction and demolition waste
• Reduce waste at government and public buildings
• Support a program to reduce food waste and save edible food
• Create a program to help local businesses reduce waste
• Improve waste collection in multi-residential buildings

3. System Optimization & Disposal: Maximizing existing regional assets, improving drop-off convenience and collaboratively planning for future residual waste solutions.

• Review and expand drop-off services
• Conduct a study about the landfill’s future
• Review technologies to turn landfill gas into clean energy
• Develop a long-term plan for garbage disposal

4. Community Engagement: Empowering residents through positive reinforcement and ambassadors.

• Create a “gold star” program to reward households for proper waste sorting
• Recruit volunteers to be “community waste ambassadors” to help residents

5. Circular Economy Culture: Demonstrating leadership through corporate programs, innovation challenges and community grants.

• Launch a community contest for new ideas on reducing waste
• Create a community grant for reuse and repair initiatives
• Create an “innovation hub” for waste-reduction businesses

6. Sustainable Funding & Innovation: Creating resilient financial models and exploring new revenue opportunities at regional facilities.

• Create a community fund for waste reduction
• Support local groups to educate residents about reducing waste
• Explore new ways to generate revenue at waste facilities

Phase 3 Public Consultation Event

Thank you to everyone that provided feedback in Phases 1 and 2 to shape the study. This included residents, local businesses and organizations. We invite everyone to participate in reviewing the draft LTWMS and share your input through the online survey.

Join us to learn more about the draft LTWMS and get your questions answered at one of two virtual public meetings, as below.

• Tuesday June 9, 2026 from 12:30pm - 2:00pm, or
• Wednesday June 24, 2026 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

You can also find us at the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival at Victoria Park in Kitchener on June 20 and 21st, 2026 from Noon to 2:00 pm!

Visit EngageWR to take the survey, register for one of the virtual meetings, and for more information on other engagement opportunities.

Project details

Building on Success

The LTWMS update has built on our successes from the 2013 Waste Management Master Plan (2013 Strategy). Many of the actions in the 2013 Strategy were accomplished with the support of our local community. Some of the successes include:

• Standardized services across the region, including waste programs, garbage bag limits, and waste by-laws.
• Introduction of bi-weekly garbage collection.
• Expansion of the green cart program.
• Implementation of a partial user-pay system through bag tag fees.

Exploring Options

The LTWMS explored a wide range of options to ensure we continue to have sustainable, reliable and affordable waste services that address all types of waste, including residential, commercial, industrial and hazardous waste, by fostering collaboration with community partners and leveraging existing facilities and sourcing new innovative technologies.

Promoting a Culture of Sustainability

The LTWMS is committed to promoting inclusive, sustainable and affordable practices and advancing a circular economy. We aim to maximize waste diversion and energy recovery, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term resource conservation and recovery.

Strategic focus

This project supports the Region of Waterloo's Strategic Plan, Growing with Care.

Notice of collection

All comments and information provided become part of the review process and are being collected to assist the Region of Waterloo in completing the Long-term Waste Management Strategy. All submissions will become part of the public record files for this matter. Personal information collected is under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990. Questions about the collection of personal information should be directed to Tracy Annett at LTWMS@regionofwaterloo.ca, : 519-575-4400