The City of North Bay has launched a waste self-audit program called “What’s In Your Waste?” to encourage residents to sort their garbage [1].
This initiative aims to improve waste diversion rates and gather critical data to shape future municipal outreach. By reducing the volume of trash sent to the landfill, the city hopes to preserve its waste infrastructure for a longer period [1].
Under the program, residents are asked to conduct a self-audit of their household waste. This process involves sorting through garbage to identify items that could have been recycled, or composted [2]. The city provides tips to help participants improve their sorting habits and offers prizes to incentivize participation [1].
The data collected from these resident-led audits will allow the municipal government to identify common mistakes in waste disposal. This information will be used to develop targeted education campaigns to reduce landfill reliance [2].
Managing landfill capacity is a primary driver for the program. The city has projected that the current landfill closure date has been extended to the year 2040 [1]. However, continuing to divert waste from the stream is necessary to maintain that timeline and avoid premature closure [1].
North Bay officials said the program is designed to engage the community directly in the sustainability process. By making residents aware of what they throw away, the city seeks to foster a culture of waste reduction across Ontario [2].
“The city is asking residents to sort their garbage to gather data and extend the life of the local landfill.”
The launch of the self-audit program signals a shift toward data-driven waste management in North Bay. By leveraging citizen participation to identify diversion gaps, the city is attempting to mitigate the financial and environmental costs of landfill expansion or replacement before the 2040 deadline.
