Cart-Based Organics Collection Pilot Project

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector Waste
Project value$300,000
Project Type Pilot Project
Sub Sector Waste Management
Grant amount$100,000
Program type GMF
Municipality City of Markham, ON
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 338,503
Project timeline 2001 - 2008
Project number 526

Description

This one–year pilot project will implement a fully automated curbside, cart–based collection system to divert householdorganic waste from the waste stream. It will also study the possibility of collecting garbage and recyclables in a split cart.Markham is already implementing a bag–based collection system for organic kitchen waste. The town will compare thetwo systems once the cart–based pilot is completed. Markham will share its data with the City of Toronto, and theoutcome will determine whether the entire Greater Toronto Area will employ this method of collecting organic waste.Diverting organic food waste from the waste stream will help to increase the overall diversion rate and assess the impactthis type of collection could have across the province.

Applicant

Town of Markham, ON