Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Solid waste refers to waste materials that are picked up at the curb. This can include household garbage, recyclables, yard waste, and bulky items like furniture.
The Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) is a strategic framework developed by the City of Hamilton to guide the long-term management of municipal solid waste. It aligns with City Council’s priorities and environmental sustainability goals, aiming to:
- Minimize environmental impacts
- Enhance resource conservation
- Improve the overall performance of the waste management system
The 2025 SWMMP outlines a 25-year planning horizon with a detailed five-year action plan, ensuring that Hamilton remains at the forefront of sustainable waste management and can adapt to evolving environmental challenges.
What are we doing?
The City is in the process of developing the 2025 SWMMP. This comprehensive plan covers key areas of the municipal waste system, including:
- Waste collection and processing
- Recycling and disposal infrastructure
- Optimization of landfill use
- Encouragement of waste minimization practices (reduce, reuse, recycle)
The plan is guided by principles such as taking responsibility for residual waste, promoting environmental protection, improving economic efficiency, and supporting public health and safety.
What are we engaging on?
Public feedback is key to defining our way forward in this work. The City is actively seeking community feedback on:
- Current waste management practices and how they can be improved
- Community priorities around recycling, composting, and waste reduction
- Potential new programs, policies, or technologies
- Barriers residents face in participating in waste diversion efforts
Engagement from this project will help shape a more effective, inclusive, and community-centered waste management strategy. Are you interested in sharing your feedback to shape the future of solid waste management practices in Hamilton? Check out our engagement activities here on Engage Hamilton or visit us at an upcoming community pop-up.
We're collecting information as part of this project
The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. Any personal information collected for the Solid Waste Management Master Plan and will be used for to communicate with residents about changes, updates, and feedback related to the project By providing your email address, you are consenting to receiving emails from the City of Hamilton and/or their agents/contractors to invite residents to participate in public consultations, surveys, or community meetings and to gather their opinions, concerns, and suggestions regarding waste management services. Information collected for this initiative may be stored on servers located in Canada and the United States and may be subject to Canadian and/or American laws. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed to the Senior Project Manager-Long Term Waste Planning, Public Works Department, Waste Management Division, 100 King Street, Hamilton, Ontario, L8P 1A2, 905 973 4226, glenn.watt@hamilton.ca.
Where do you see opportunities for improvement?
I would like to know why YARD WASTE gets thrown into the truck along with GARBAGE ? ? Not enough trucks? If this is the case, perhaps yard waste should be collected every other week.
Re-scheduled holiday pick up reminder (frig magnet, calendar stickers) would be nice instead of searching for the Waste Guide.
The transfer stations should have longer hours to avoid the weekend lineups
Opportunities for recycling should be made available in large public parks with sports facilities (i.e Joe Sam's Park in Waterdown). Large amounts of recyclable items like drink/water bottles) are put in the garbage at these sites as there are no opportunities provided for recycling. Providing a recycling bins near the parking lot would encourage people to dispose of these items properly.
Cart-based collection is long overdue for waste & recycling.
For garbage, it will reduce mess and smell in urban areas by keeping raccoons, skunks, rats and squirrels out of the trash during the week and on collection night. It will also protect workers from overexertion, injury from sharp objects, or hazardous conditions.
For recycling, it will simplify the recycling process and reduce the space required for two bins. It will also result in cleaner streets with less litter, as open recycling bins are easily tipped over or materials are blown onto the street. Most urban areas in Ontario have a single-stream recycling systems with carts.
Hello,
I think that you should add to what can be recycled and reduce how much waste and what garbage people can throw out. For example, many regions now only allow 1 clear garage bag and will not pick it up if there is compostable or recyclable material in it. I think that we need to move to this system and force people to do better for recycling and garage. I also think you need to include schools in this and change their regulations. Many schools do not recycle at all, which is awful!!
ensuring that all apartments have green bin collection. the majority of my waste could go in a green bin and is compostable, but my building doesn't have green collection so I have to put it all in the garbage.
Custom
Engagement Level: Consult
Our Commitment: Staff will get your feedback on the project/initiative.
We promise to:
- Keep you informed.
- Listen to and acknowledge your concerns or hopes for the project.
- Provide feedback to you on how the input received was used to inform the project.
Thank you for your contribution!
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