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.