Waste management industry: Business and government sectors, 2010
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Released: 2013-08-21
Approximately 25 million tonnes of non-hazardous waste were sent to private and public waste disposal facilities in 2010, down 4% from 2008.
The total amount of waste diverted to recycling or organic processing facilities was down 3% from 2008 to 8.1 million tonnes in 2010. The diversion rate remained relatively constant over the two-year period (24.3% in 2008 versus 24.5% in 2010).
Just over one-third of waste for disposal came from residential sources in 2010, a similar level to 2008, while the remainder came from non-residential sources.
The amount of residential waste disposal fell by 1% to 9.3 million tonnes in 2010. At the same time, the amount of non-residential waste fell by 6% to 15.6 million tonnes.
Between 2008 and 2010, the quantity of waste sent for disposal increased in Newfoundland and Labrador (+4%), Nova Scotia (+4%), Saskatchewan (+4%), and Manitoba (+1%).
Quebec (-6%) and Alberta (-6%) reported the largest declines in the quantity of waste disposed between 2008 and 2010.
On a per capita basis, Alberta sent the most waste for disposal in 2010 — the equivalent of just under 1.1 tonnes per person. Conversely, Nova Scotia sent 389 kilograms per person for disposal.
An 11% decrease in the quantity of non-residential waste diverted for recycling or composting led to a 3% decline in the overall amount of materials diverted between 2008 and 2010. This was the first decrease in waste diversion since 2002.
In contrast, the diversion of residential waste rose by 5% between 2008 and 2010.
Electronic waste recycling saw the biggest increase (+60%), followed by metals recycling (+12%).
Local governments spent about $2.9 billion on waste management in 2010, up 12% from two years earlier. The largest increase was in the contributions to landfill post closure and maintenance funds.
Business sector operating revenues rose 2% from 2008 to $6.0 billion in 2010. Operating expenditures incurred by waste management firms decreased 3% to $5.0 billion.
Just over 32,000 people were employed full time in the waste management industry in both the government and business sectors in 2010.
Note to readers
This release is based on the results of the biennial Waste Management Industry Survey: Business and Government Sectors 2010.
This release examines the quantities of waste disposed of in landfills and incinerators managed by governments and waste management firms, as well as the amount of waste diverted.
It also includes information on the preparation of materials for recycling or composting and statistics on the financial and employment characteristics of local governments and firms that provided waste management services.
The publication Waste Management Industry Survey: Business and Government Sectors, 2010 (Catalogue number16F0023X), is now available from the Browse by key resource module of our website under Publications, choose All subjects, then Environment.
A data table is also available from the Browse by key resource module of our website under Summary tables.
Contact information
For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; infostats@statcan.gc.ca).
For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Peter van Wesenbeeck (613-951-5967; peter.vanwesenbeeck@statcan.gc.ca), Environment Accounts and Statistics Division.
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