Ottawa’s Landfill Bid Sparks Debate Over Waste Management Options

Ottawa city councillors are set to consider a proposal to acquire a landfill site in the east end of the city, a move that could influence ongoing discussions about waste management strategies. If the council votes in favor on Wednesday, it may pre-empt a broader debate concerning the potential construction of a waste-to-energy incinerator, scheduled for early 2027. The city aims to submit a bid in a private auction managed by BMO Capital Markets for a 192-hectare landfill site owned by the Taggart and Miller families, located near Highway 417 and Boundary Road.

Before the public announcement this month, negotiations regarding the landfill site began last April when the owners contacted the mayor’s office through a government relations firm. City staff report that an expert team has conducted thorough due diligence, operating under a non-disclosure agreement, and recommends moving forward with the acquisition due to the site’s ministry approvals for municipal waste. This opportunity is considered rare, as the site is already licensed to accept waste.

Prior to the Taggart-Miller site becoming available, the city council had expedited a consultant’s report evaluating five waste management options, released in June 2023. This report identified a waste-to-energy incinerator as one of the top solutions, alongside maintaining the current status quo. The recommendation to build a new landfill from scratch was rated the least favorable option.

Alain Gonthier, the city’s general manager of public works, assured councillors at a special committee meeting on November 21 that the ongoing work on waste management strategies would continue irrespective of the landfill purchase. He noted that the Trail Road landfill, which has approximately ten years of capacity left, could be extended by an additional 15 years with an expansion. The use of two private landfills could further increase capacity by six years.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe supports acquiring the Taggart-Miller landfill site, arguing that ownership would grant the city greater control over waste management. He emphasized that acquiring the landfill does not eliminate other potential solutions, stating, “If the city does become the owner of this property, we could still, for example, operate an incinerator or another waste energy solution in Ottawa.”

Concerns arise regarding the potential implications of this acquisition. Councillor Matt Luloff from Orléans East-Cumberland suggested that the urgency for exploring alternative solutions may diminish if the city secures 30 years of landfill capacity through this purchase. He voiced skepticism about whether taxpayers would support funding multiple waste management solutions.

Luloff has long advocated for a waste-to-energy incinerator as a modern alternative to landfills. His position is supported by a previous analysis from HDR Corporation, which found that an incineration facility could convert 77 percent of waste into steam for electricity, leaving only 23 percent as ash and residue for disposal. The estimated cost for building such an incinerator ranges from $497 million to $862 million, with lengthy approval processes expected.

The June report highlighted that continuing to use the Trail Road landfill until its capacity is reached, followed by reliance on private landfills, would require minimal investment but could generate greenhouse gases and expose the city to unpredictable tipping fees from private operators. The least favorable option was creating a new landfill from scratch due to concerns about odor, public opposition, greenhouse gas emissions, and the complexities of securing necessary approvals.

The Taggart-Miller site has already secured a license to accept commercial and industrial waste since 2017 and received an amendment to accept household waste in May 2024. However, operations have yet to commence, and an approved site plan is still pending.

Councillors, including Glen Gower, expressed interest in transforming a private landfill into a public asset for enhanced control over waste management. Meanwhile, Councillor Shawn Menard stressed the importance of waste reduction as the most effective long-term solution. Newly elected Councillor Isabelle Skalsi, representing Osgoode ward where the landfill is located, cautioned against hastily committing to the acquisition. She likened the situation to purchasing waterfront property without first deciding whether to build a cottage, suggesting that such a decision may lead to future reliance on a landfill.

As the council prepares for this significant vote, the implications of the decision could have lasting effects on Ottawa’s waste management landscape and its approach to sustainability.