Introduction

Proponent

Recycling Specialties Inc.

Location

Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield, County of Peterborough

Type

Waste

Reference Number

01069

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8001

Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current Status

Designation: granted, December 11, 2002

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to construct and operate a private sector, 40,000 cubic metre landfill site for the purpose of landfilling construction and demolition waste.

Project History

  • Designation: granted
    • Date submitted: October 31, 2001
    • Expiry of public comment period: August 22, 2002
    • Decision date: December 11, 2002

Designation

Recycling Specialties Inc. is proposing to construct and operate a private sector, 40,000 cubic metre landfill site for the purpose of landfilling construction and demolition waste. The proposed landfill is located in the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield, County of Peterborough. The landfill site would have an area of 1.2 hectares and would be situated on a total site area of 40.1 hectares. Waste would be received primarily from the Recycling Specialties Inc. waste processing and transfer facility in the City of Toronto (East York) which receives waste from an area bounded by Toronto, Orillia, Peterborough, Perth, Kingston and Lake Ontario. The waste stream would include wood, metals, cardboard, plastics, asphalt shingles and other roofing material, glass, floor covering, bricks, concrete, asphalt, masonry, drywall, rock, soil and insulation. The landfill would be expected to reach capacity in four years.

Currently, private sector proponents are not subject to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) unless a designation regulation is made. Pursuant to ministry policy, private, commercial landfills for non-hazardous solid waste with a proposed capacity of more than 40,000 cubic metre are made subject to the requirements of the EAA. Landfill sites with a capacity of 40,000 cubic metre or less are considered for designation on a case-by-case basis when designation requests are received.

The capacity of the proposed RSI landfill is 40,000 cubic metre, just below the EA trigger. However, its proposed lifespan is only four years, not the typical 20 years lifespan of most proposed new landfill sites.

The waste to be deposited in the proposed site is residue from RSI’s waste transfer and processing facility. As RSI is not intending to close this facility in the near future, the company’s waste disposal needs can be expected to continue beyond the four years lifespan of the proposed landfill site.

RSI’s waste stream, over a reasonable operational time period, would require filling more than 40,000 cubic metre of landfill space.

In keeping with the intent of the designation policy (ie. landfill sites with a lifetime capacity of greater than 40,000 cubic metre should be planned in accordance with the requirements of the EAA), RSI’s proposal was designated as subject to the requirements of the EAA. The regulation requires Recycling Specialties Inc. to follow the requirements of the EAA by first submitting and receiving Ministerial approval for a Terms of Reference for the preparation of an environmental assessment of the proposed undertaking, and secondly preparing an environmental assessment. The designation regulation will ensure that appropriate environmental protection measures are undertaken with respect to the facility.