Statistics Canada stats show an upward trend in recycling and composting in Canada, but the amount varies greatly between cities. Higher diversion rates are seen in municipalities with better services and ease for residents to do so.

“Stale sandwiches and squidgy potatoes – waste food from some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets – could be used for fuel in an experimental biomass plant being planned by Infinis, a renewable power company backed by private equity group Terra Firma.” Please click link to read full article.

The promise made by Ontario to stop transporting our waste to Michigan by the year 2010 has led to debates over the possible alternatives. In response, Durham Region is “deeply committed” to building an incinerator despite its previous assurance that the region will not see a landfill in the area.

Residents in Vancouver are looking into alternative ways to deal with their garbage as the civic strike looms on.

September 15, 2007 will mark the first day of an electronics recycling program in the US, Waste Management Inc. and Sony announced. Customers can take their Sony products to 75 Waste Management recycling centers for free.

Both retailers and households need to pitch in to reduce waste. The green bin option proves to play a big role in waste diversion. Residents in Markham divert 70% of their waste, while residents in Toronto (where green bins aren’t readily available) only divert 42%.

“The debate over building an incinerator 45 minutes east of Toronto turned into an endurance test for Clarington residents and councillors, who began a marathon meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.”

Like Toronto and Durham Region municipalities, Vaughan and six other York Region municipalities are set to reduce their weekly garbage collection to a two-week schedule.

A proposed Washington state plan would require electronics manufacturers to obtain approval for their collection and disposal plans. However, Seattle-based Basel Action Network urges the state for stronger actions as the plan is “fuzzy.”