Z2.1Support and educate residents on waste diversion

Waste accounts for 3% of Surrey’s total community emissions, primarily due to methane released from decaying organic materials in landfills. The City has robust recycling and organic waste diversion programs, achieving a 70% diversion rate for residential waste collected. However, emissions from waste can be further reduced by increasing participation in the organics collection program.

Improper waste disposal, such as placing non-recyclable items in recycling carts, contaminates the recycling stream and can result in fully recyclable materials being sent to the landfill. To address this, the City conducts waste diversion education efforts, including inspecting individual recycling carts for unacceptable items to reduce contamination.

This action will see City staff continue delivering communications campaigns and educational resources to increase understanding of proper waste disposal.