Ontario is asking for input on a new discussion paper that examines a proposed Food and Organic Waste Action Plan, which may include banning food waste from disposal.
In Canada, food waste represents more greenhouse gas emissions than any country besides China and the United States. In Ontario, 3.6 million tonnes of food and organic waste is generated annually and more than 60 per cent of it is lost to disposal
As part of its strategy for Waste-Free Ontario: Building a Circular Economy, the province proposes that the first policy statement under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 focus on food and organic waste.
The paper, Addressing Food and Organic Waste in Ontario, serves as the basis for preliminary discussions with stakeholders to inform the development of the Food and Organic Waste Framework. The paper is posted for review. The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is gathering feedback, which must be received before July 30, 2017, to be considered in the decision-making process.
The framework aims to:
- Reduce the amount of food that becomes waste;
- Remove food and organic waste from the disposal stream;
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from food and organic waste;
- Support and stimulate end markets that recover the value from food and organic wastes;
- Increase accountability of responsible parties;
- Improve data on food and organic waste;
- Enhance promotion and education regarding food and organic waste
A working group will develop both the action plan and policy statement concurrently. The Ministry invited municipalities, the waste management industry, producers, non-governmental organizations, the agri-food industry (e.g. farmers, food processors) and generators of organic waste in the IC&I sectors (e.g., food retailers, restaurants, offices, hospitals) to participate in this process.
