Current data on waste diversion, landfill disposal, recycling rates, and the Ontario regulatory landscape — with sources.
Compiled and updated April 24, 2026 · Data from Region of Durham, RPRA, Statistics Canada
Durham Region diverted approximately 58% of residential waste from landfill in 2022 (Region of Durham Waste Management Annual Report) — meaningfully above Ontario's ~47% provincial average reported by the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority. The Region operates four waste management facilities and the Durham York Energy Centre (160,000-tonne annual capacity), and Ontario's Blue Box transition to full producer responsibility was completed January 1, 2026 under Regulation 391/21.
- ~58% — Durham Region waste diverted from landfill (2022) (Source: Region of Durham)
- ~47% — Ontario residential waste diversion rate (2022) (Source: RPRA)
- ~720 kg — Annual residential waste generated per Canadian (Source: Statistics Canada)
- 160,000 t — Annual capacity of Durham York Energy Centre (Source: Region of Durham)
Key Waste & Recycling Data Points (Durham Region + Ontario)
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Region waste diverted from landfill (2022 Annual Report) | ~58% diverted | Region of Durham — Waste Management Annual Report |
| Ontario residential waste diversion rate (latest published RPRA data) | ~47% diverted (2022) | Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) |
| Ontario Blue Box program — full producer responsibility transition | Completed January 1, 2026 | RPRA — Blue Box Regulation O. Reg. 391/21 |
| Annual residential waste generated per capita in Canada | ~720 kg / person | Statistics Canada — Households and the Environment Survey |
| Durham York Energy Centre — annual processing capacity | Up to 160,000 tonnes | Region of Durham — Energy-from-Waste facility |
| Construction & demolition (C&D) share of Ontario's waste stream (estimated) | ~12-30% of total IC&I waste | Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks |
| Ontario landfill tipping fee range (provincial averages) | ~$80 – $150 / tonne | Ontario Waste Management Association industry reports |
| Average residential junk removal load in Durham (RJR internal — 2020-2026) | ~6-9 cubic yards (~1/3 truckload) | RJR Demo & Junk operational data |
Figures are the most recent publicly-reported values at time of writing. Where exact percentages were not available we use conservatively rounded ranges and cite the umbrella source organization for verification.
Where Does Junk Removed From Durham Homes Actually Go?
Every load we collect follows the same diversion hierarchy. The goal is to keep as much material as possible out of landfill — both because landfill tipping fees are expensive ($80-$150/tonne in Ontario) and because the Region of Durham's diversion target is 70% by 2030.
Reuse — donated to local charities
Furniture in working condition, clean appliances, and usable household goods go to Durham-area charities (Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, Diabetes Canada, local thrift networks). This is the highest-value diversion path.
Recycle — sorted on-site, sold or dropped at depots
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals to scrap yards. E-waste to EPRA-licensed processors. Cardboard and clean paper to Blue Box. Wood to specialty facilities. Concrete and brick to aggregate recyclers.
Energy recovery — Durham York Energy Centre
Mixed residual waste that can't be recycled is processed at the Durham York Energy Centre in Clarington (160,000-tonne annual capacity), which generates electricity from non-recyclable waste rather than landfilling it.
Landfill — last resort
Material that cannot be reused, recycled, or processed for energy goes to contracted landfill at provincial tipping rates. Our internal target is to keep this category under 40% of every load.
Frequently Asked Questions — Durham Region Waste Data
What percentage of Durham Region waste is diverted from landfill?
According to the Region of Durham's most recent Waste Management Annual Report, approximately 58% of residential waste collected in Durham Region was diverted from landfill in 2022 through Blue Box recycling, the Green Bin organics program, leaf and yard waste pickup, and the Durham York Energy Centre. This is meaningfully higher than the Ontario provincial residential diversion average of roughly 47% reported by RPRA for the same year.
How does the Ontario Blue Box program work after January 1, 2026?
Under Ontario Regulation 391/21, full producer responsibility for the Blue Box program was completed on January 1, 2026. Producers (the brand-owners and importers of packaging and paper products) now fund and manage residential recycling province-wide, replacing the previous shared model with municipalities. RPRA enforces compliance and reporting. Businesses are not eligible sources under the Blue Box program: Durham Region ended Blue Box pickup for small businesses on December 31, 2025, and larger businesses have long been required to run their own source-separation programs under O. Reg. 103/94 — see our commercial recycling page for details.
Where does junk removed from Durham Region homes actually go?
Material follows a hierarchy. Reusable items (furniture in good condition, working appliances) are donated to local charities. Recyclables — metals, cardboard, e-waste, clean wood — are separated and taken to scrap yards, Region of Durham depots, or licensed recyclers. Mixed residual waste is taken to Region of Durham waste transfer stations, which route some material to the Durham York Energy Centre (160,000 tonne/year capacity) and the remainder to contracted landfills.
How much does it cost to dispose of waste at Durham Region facilities?
The Region of Durham's Waste Management Centre on Garrard Road in Whitby and Oshawa Waste Management Facility have published tip rates that vary by material type — see durham.ca for the current schedule. As of 2026, mixed residential loads sit in the $90-$150/tonne range, with surcharges for tires, mattresses, electronics, and refrigerants. We factor disposal fees into our flat per-cubic-yard pricing so customers don't pay separately at the scale.
What types of household waste cannot go in the regular garbage in Durham?
Several material categories are banned from Durham Region curbside garbage: household hazardous waste (paint, solvents, batteries, propane), e-waste (TVs, computers, monitors, small appliances with cords), tires, refrigerants (fridges, freezers, A/C units without certification of evacuation), large metal items, construction debris over the bag limit, and yard waste outside the seasonal program. These require either Region of Durham depot drop-off or a junk removal service that handles specialty disposal — see durham.ca/recycling for the full list.
How much e-waste do Ontarians generate annually?
The Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA), which administers Ontario's regulated e-waste program, reports that Canadian households generate roughly 20-25 kg of electronic waste per person per year. Durham Region accepts e-waste at all four Waste Management Centres at no cost to residents, and licensed haulers like RJR Demo & Junk separate e-waste on every job for proper recycling rather than landfill disposal.
Sources & Further Reading
- Region of Durham — Garbage and Recycling — durham.ca
- Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) — Blue Box Program — rpra.ca
- Durham York Energy Centre — durhamyorkwaste.ca
- Statistics Canada — Environment Statistics
- Ontario Waste Management Association — owma.org
- Electronic Products Recycling Association — epra.ca
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment — Reducing Litter and Waste in Our Communities
About this page: Compiled by RJR Demo & Junk (Ryan's Junk Removal Inc) — a licensed Durham Region junk removal and demolition operator since 2020. Statistics are sourced from publicly-available reports and rounded conservatively where exact figures were not published. Verify with the linked source for any business or regulatory decision.
Need junk removal or recycling pickup in Durham Region?
Same-day or next-day pickup. Material sorted on-site for diversion. WSIB-insured local crews. Get a free quote or call (905) 999-4426.