Waste

Managing the region’s waste is a core responsibility of Metro Vancouver. There are many opportunities to integrate climate action into waste management. For example, Metro Vancouver promotes aggressive waste reduction campaigns, and has set an ambitious goal of an 80% recycling rate. Transitioning to a circular economy further reduces waste, and associated emissions. Read on to learn more about climate and waste management.

Looking for more detail on our waste management-related strategies?

Download the Climate 2050 Solid Waste Primer

Solid waste disposal and climate change

Solid waste disposal contributes less than two per cent of Metro Vancouver’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Disposal emissions include methane released as organic waste decomposes in landfills, and carbon dioxide from combustion of inorganic waste at the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Thanks to improved landfill gas capture systems and increased organics recycling, disposal emissions have already declined significantly since 2010.

Projected emissions from Metro Vancouver solid waste disposal through 2050

Our climate goal and how we’re getting there

By 2030: 45 per cent reduction in GHG emissions from solid waste disposal (relative to 2010 levels).

The majority of our region’s waste is disposed at the City of Vancouver’s landfill. It is projected that this target will be met as a result of continuous improvements to the City of Vancouver’s landfill gas management system.

By 2050: Achieve a carbon-neutral solid waste system — no net emissions from disposal of solid waste generated in our region.

Current and future actions that help us reach our goal

Metro Vancouver’s journey to a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient solid waste system centers on reducing emissions through circular economy, waste prevention, and recycling initiatives. With a regional recycling rate of 65 per cent, and over two-thirds of organic waste diverted annually, the region already avoids significant methane emissions.

While recycling remains important, the highest priority is preventing waste and supporting a circular economy, including extending the life of products through reuse and repair.

An updated solid waste management plan for the region will look to further reduce regional emissions related to management and disposal of solid waste. Learn more about Solid Waste Management Plan Update.

Emission reduction projects

Renewable natural gas from landfill	Renewable natural gas from landfill	<div class="ExternalClass820A5A79F73A4FD49B5A7D626EB096A8"><p>The City of Vancouver is expanding the Vancouver Landfill gas collection system and building a plant to upgrade captured methane into renewable natural gas for the FortisBC pipeline. This is expected to reduce up to 60,000 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) annually and supports transitioning to clean, renewable energy.<br></p><p> <img src="/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/vancouver-landfill.jpg" alt="Renewable natural gas from landfill" title="Renewable natural gas from landfill" style="width:600px;" /> </p></div>
District energy from Waste-to-Energy Facility	District energy from Waste-to-Energy Facility	<div class="ExternalClass0C787C177F534D438E281EF2A3287F94"><p>Metro Vancouver is developing a district energy system to triple the efficiency of its Waste-to-Energy Facility by using steam from the facility to supply heat and hot water to up to 50,000 homes. By reducing the need to heat homes with fossil natural gas, this project, at full scale, can save up to 70,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually.</p><p> <img src="/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/waste-to-energy-burnaby.jpg" alt="District energy from Waste-to-Energy Facility" title="District energy from Waste-to-Energy Facility" style="width:600px;" /> </p></div>
Metal recovery and bottom ash use	Metal recovery and bottom ash use	<div class="ExternalClass2E45C33CC94C414D853707EC8E7B8A08"><p>Recovery of metals from bottom ash at the Waste-to-Energy Facility and pilot projects to use ash in cement production reduce emissions and raw material use.<br></p></div>
Zero-emission hauling and equipment	Zero-emission hauling and equipment	<div class="ExternalClass0B51CC5642ED44128FD132B3C4D7E5C9"><p>Metro Vancouver will require contractors to use renewable diesel and incentivize zero-emission equipment starting in 2026. This is expected to reduce 7,000 tonnes CO₂e emissions annually.<br></p></div>
Alternative fuels from wood waste	Alternative fuels from wood waste	<div class="ExternalClass72C85B395DE34AE39797B2E5C09C87D3"><p>Processing small-load waste to recover recyclables and produce alternative fuels from wood waste, that will replace fossil fuels, can potentially reduce up to 20,000 tonnes CO₂e emissions annually.<br></p></div>
Future actions toward carbon neutrality	Future actions toward carbon neutrality	<div class="ExternalClass404B8B51343D49D4A163E521C280D9C5"><p>The actions taken to date are expected to reduce over 40 per cent of annual disposal emissions by 2050. Additional actions to reduce emissions from solid waste disposal are found in the <a href="/services/solid-waste/solid-waste-management-plan" title="Metro Vancouver solid waste management plan">Metro Vancouver solid waste management plan</a>.<br></p></div>

What can I do?

While reaching our goals will require a number of significant systems-level changes, there are also many things residents can do every day:

Reduce and Reuse – Explore Metro Vancouver’s Repair and Re-Wear, Create Memories Not Garbage, and What's Your Superhabit campaigns
Be Mindful of Food Waste – Visit Metro Vancouver’s Food Scraps Recycling Program and Love Food Hate Waste Canada
Recycle – Use Metro Vancouver’s Recycling Search Tool

Waste is one of Metro Vancouver’s ten Climate 2050 priorities.

Nature and Ecosytems	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/nature-and-ecosystems, Nature and Ecosytems	Nature and Ecosytems	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-nature-ecosystems-icon.svg, Naure and Ecosystems icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-nature-ecosystems-icon.svg
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/water-and-wastewater-infrastructure, Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	Water and Wastewater Infrastructure	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-water-wastewater-icon.svg, Water and Wastewater icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-water-wastewater-icon.svg
Human Health and Well-Being	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/human-health-and-well-being, Human Health and Well-Being	Human Health and Well-Being	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-human-health-icon.svg, Human Health icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-human-health-icon.svg
Buildings	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/buildings, Buildings	Buildings	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-buildings-icon.svg, Buildings icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-buildings-icon.svg
Transportation	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/transportation, Transportation	Transportation	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-transportation-icon.svg, Transportation icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-transportation-icon.svg
Industry and Business	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/industry-and-business, Industry and Business	Industry and Business	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-industry-business-icon.svg, Industry and Business icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-industry-business-icon.svg
Energy	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/energy, Energy	Energy	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-energy-icon.svg, Energy icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-energy-icon.svg
Land Use and Urban Form	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/land-use-and-urban-form, Land Use and Urban Form	Land Use and Urban Form	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-land-use-icon.svg, Land use icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-land-use-icon.svg
Agriculture	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/climate-2050/regional-priorities/agriculture, Agriculture	Agriculture	https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-agriculture-icon.svg, Industry icon https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/PublishingImages/climate-2050-agriculture-icon.svg

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