菲沙研究所-城市生活垃圾的产生与管理（英）-2021.7_36页_954kb

Summary of "Generation and Management of Municipal Solid Waste: How's Canada Doing?"

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of the generation and management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Canada over the past two decades, focusing on trends in waste generation, disposal, and diversion. It highlights the role of federal, provincial, and municipal governments in managing solid waste and evaluates the effectiveness of current waste management strategies.

Main Points

• Waste Generation Trends:

  • From 2002 to 2018, total MSW generation in Canada increased by 16 percent, from 30.7 million tonnes to 35.5 million tonnes.
  • However, when adjusted for population and GDP, per-capita waste generation decreased by 2 percent and per-unit-GDP waste generation decreased by 23 percent.
  • This suggests that Canada has partially decoupled waste generation from economic growth.

• Waste Disposal Trends:

  • Per-capita waste disposal decreased by 10 percent, from 768 kg in 2002 to 694 kg in 2018.
  • Disposal intensity (waste per unit of GDP) dropped by 29 percent, from 22 tonnes per $1 million GDP in 2002 to 16 tonnes in 2018.
  • Despite this decline, landfills remain the primary disposal method, with 72 percent of MSW being disposed of in 2018.

• Waste Diversion Trends:

  • Diversion rates increased from 22 percent in 2002 to 28 percent in 2018.
  • Diverted waste primarily consists of paper fibres (36 percent) and organics (29 percent) in 2018.
  • Plastic diversion increased significantly, from 144,181 tonnes in 2002 to 355,000 tonnes in 2018—a 146 percent increase.
  • Canada aims to achieve zero plastic waste disposal by 2030.

• Provincial Variations:

  • New Brunswick saw the highest increase in per-person waste generation (20 percent) and disposal (19 percent) between 2002 and 2018.
  • British Columbia had the largest decline in both waste generation (7 percent) and disposal (17 percent).
  • Nova Scotia and British Columbia have the lowest disposal rates relative to population and economic activity.
  • Manitoba has one of the highest disposal rates.
  • Ontario and Quebec made notable progress in reducing per-capita waste generation and disposal.

• Diversion by Province:

  • Nova Scotia had the highest diversion rate, with almost 50 percent of its MSW diverted from landfills.
  • British Columbia followed with a diversion rate of almost 40 percent.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest diversion rate at 10 percent.
  • Residential sources were the largest contributors to waste diversion in 2016, accounting for 52 percent of diverted waste, while non-residential sources contributed 48 percent.

• Environmental and Economic Implications:

  • Waste diversion is more environmentally friendly than disposal, though the cost-effectiveness of recycling remains debated.
  • The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment set an aspirational goal to reduce per-capita solid waste disposal to 490 kg by 2030 and 350 kg by 2050.
  • Canada's progress in reducing per-capita waste and increasing diversion rates reflects strong environmental performance.

Key Information

• Total MSW in 2018: 35.5 million tonnes (up 16 percent from 2002).
• Diversion Rate in 2018: 28 percent (up from 22 percent in 2002).
• Per-Capita Waste Generation in 2018: 959 kg (down 2 percent from 2002).
• Per-Capita Waste Disposal in 2018: 694 kg (down 10 percent from 2002).
• Waste Generation Intensity in 2018: 22 tonnes per $1 million GDP (down 23 percent from 2002).
• Waste Disposal Intensity in 2018: 16 tonnes per $1 million GDP (down 29 percent from 2002).
• Canada's Goal: Reduce per-capita solid waste disposal to 490 kg by 2030 and 350 kg by 2050.
• Plastic Waste: Increased from 144,181 tonnes in 2002 to 355,000 tonnes in 2018.
• Residential Waste: Increased from 11.2 million tonnes in 2002 to 15 million tonnes in 2016, making up 44 percent of total waste in 2016.
• Non-Residential Waste: Declined from 64 percent in 2002 to 56 percent in 2018.

Conclusion

The report concludes that Canada has made progress in managing its solid waste over the past two decades, with a notable decrease in per-capita waste generation and disposal, and an increase in diversion rates. While landfills remain the dominant disposal method, the shift towards recycling and composting indicates a positive trend in waste management. Provincial performance varies, with some provinces showing significant improvement while others continue to generate and dispose of more waste relative to economic activity. The partial decoupling of waste generation from economic growth is seen as a positive sign for Canada's environmental efforts.