Waste Diversion Ontario

Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) provides oversight for the development, implementation, and operation of diversion programs for waste designated by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. WDO was created in 2002 through the Waste Diversion Act as a non-crown corporation and is funded by non-crown Industry Funding Organizations (IFOs) and an Industry Stewardship Organization (ISO) that are responsible for operating the programs. IFOs and the ISO are funded by the industries whose products are being diverted from Ontario landfills.

WDO serves the following roles:

• Overseer
  Monitoring of designated waste diversion programs for policy concerns and effectiveness and efficiency (e.g. program performance against targets for collection, diversion and public accessibility).
• Catalyst and Facilitator
  Engage, communicate and consult with a broad base of stakeholders, and provide thought leadership in identifying national and international best practices and new opportunities for more waste diversion.
• Mediator
  Help resolve disputes and proactively manage program challenges.

WDO oversees five waste diversion programs:

• Blue Box – newsprint, glass, PET plastic, aluminum and steel, plus other recyclable items as determined local municipalities.
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment – TVs, DVD players, computers, cell phones, and much more.
• Hazardous Materials  – paints, non-rechargeable batteries, oil containers, antifreeze, cyclinders that held propane, and more.
• Used Tires – tires from cars, passenger and commercial trucks, buses, agricultrural and mining equipment, and other vehicles.
• Paint and Coatings – interior and exterior paints, stains, under coaters, primers, and sealers.

Waste Diversion Ontario oversees four of Ontario’s waste diversion programs: Blue Box, Used Tires, Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The Minister of the Environment identifies materials to be diverted from landfill then turns to WDO to oversee the development of a diversion program for the designated materials. The programs are implemented and operated by Industry Funding Organizations.