50% of the waste at Sudbury’s landfill could have been diverted

Sudbury waste study reveals 50% missed diversion opportunity. Staff say green carts are key to cutting emissions and extending landfill life.

It appears that not enough residents in Greater Sudbury are using the city’s green cart program.

Results from the 2025 waste composition study were released Monday and the city says it found 89 million kilograms of waste collected from September 2024 to 2025 missed a 50 per cent diversion opportunity.

The study also revealed more than 9.1 million could have gone in the green cart with 4.8 million directed to a blue box.

“The green cart provides the largest opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and extend the lifespan of the landfill,” city officials said.

“We know that our city landfills are going to be full in approximately 25 years, and there’s very little capacity left in Hanmer and Azilda.”

“In order to replace a landfill site, it takes 10 to 15 years, and that’s if the ministry gives you the approvals,” said Renee Brownlee, the city’s director of environmental services.

Brownlee added the cost of a new landfill is approximately $200 million, while an incinerator would cost $450 million.

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