Waste Diversion Feasibility Study

This systems-based study has good replication potential for small rural townships, particularly those that experience aninflux of summertime seasonal residents. The project will provide the Township of Addington Highlands with acost/benefit analysis for recycling and composting. The results of the study will form an integral part of the Township’sentire planning process and will play an essential part in its waste management decisions. In the study, a waste audit willbe conducted to evaluate the present recycling program with a view to introducing new and additional methods toincrease the percentage of recycled material diverted from the household waste stream. In addition, recommendationswill be made on where and how to set-up an organic waste composting facility. Estimates will be provided on costs,savings and impacts to the community and the local environment, including the landfill site. Educational material will bedistributed to both year-round and seasonal residents, and to students attending school within the Township.Discussions will be held with area schools to determine the best approach to introduce and reinforce to students theconcepts of recycling and composting. It is estimated that the implementation of this project would increase the overalldiversion rate from 15 per cent to 40 per cent.