Waste to Resource Ontario (W2RO) has released research indicating vast majority of Ontarians think it is urgent to address landfill capacity in the province.
Public opinion polling reveals that most Ontarians believe stronger and more immediate action should be taken to improve waste diversion and disposal practices. The research, conducted by Nanos Research, gauged the opinions among Ontarians on landfills and recycling, more particularly: the urgency to ensure adequate landfill capacity, the importance of diverting waste from landfills, the responsibility of recycling, and support for waste diversion programs and investments.
With Ontario’s average landfill capacity expected to be exhausted within 10 years, residents agree that all waste reduction and disposal options should be on the table.
Residents also overwhelming support (82%) provincial funding being made available to waste and recycling organizations to invest in equipment, infrastructure and workforce development.
The polling also showed:
- 91% of residents believe it is urgent or somewhat urgent for governments to ensure adequate landfill capacity in Ontario
- Three in four Ontarians believe it is important to increase recycling targets
- Nearly all respondents say industrial, commercial and institutional entities should be just as responsible or more responsible than residents to recycle
- Considerable support from Ontarians (74%) for provincial investment in technologies to convert waste into renewable energy; programs to divert waste from landfill
- 77% of Ontarians say manufacturers, distributors and retailers should be responsible for costs related to safely disposing of products containing batteries or appliances with a plug
