Paper recycling continues to dominate Canada’s waste diversion efforts, representing almost 40% of total material diversion in 2018, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.
Most paper was sent for recycling from industrial and commercial sources (56%) but in some provinces more came from residential programs (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta). The more industrialised and populated provinces of Ontario and Quebec provided almost 70% of all paper for recycling.
Organics collection continues to increase across the country (up 17% since 2012) and now represents almost 30% of Canada’s diversion total.
The next largest categories recovered for recycling were metals (ferrous, copper, aluminum, and mixed) representing 9% of total diversion, and construction, renovation and demolition debris (7%).
In terms of the greatest improvement since 2012, the tire recycling tonnages diverted have jumped 204%, electronics 50%, and metals 35%. Glass diversion tonnages have fallen 5%. Textile diversion now has its own category (having been broken out from the catch-all ‘other’ category).