Garbage, recycling and organic waste bins to be installed in 300 City of Ottawa parks

The City of Ottawa plans to install 360-litre garbage, recycling and organics waste bins in 300 parks over the next four years. (City of Ottawa/report)

Garbage, recycling and organic waste bins will be installed in more than 300 parks, and organic waste bins will be placed in all off-leash dog parks, as the City of Ottawa expands waste diversion options and looks to extend the life of the Trail Road Landfill.

Between 2017 and 2025, the city conducted a pilot project in several parks to determine how to roll out a comprehensive waste diversion program in parks.

Staff said in 2019 and 2020, the pilot project with bins for garbage, blue box recycling and organics, including dog waste, in 10 parks, saw 5,350 tonnes of waste diverted from the landfill.

A report for the environment and climate change committee meeting on Sept. 16 recommends installing three-stream receptacles for garbage, organics and recycling in all “District (Destination)” parks, “Community” parks, and “Neighbourhood” parks with sports fields or similar amenities between 2026 and 2029. The plan would also see organic waste receptacles installed in all parks with an off-leash dog designation in 2027.

The new Solid Waste Master Plan approved by Council in 2024 includes prioritizing recycling in parks, with recycling and organic carts set up in parks and public spaces between 2025 and 2028.

Under the plan, 360-litre garbage, organic and recycling carts will be installed in all District and Community Parks, as well as in all Neighbourhood Parks with sports fields. Staff will work with ward councillors to identify two parks per ward for implementation in 2026, with 100 parks receiving the garbage, organic and recycling bin carts a year by 2029.

According to staff, parks will be selected based on usage, seasonal access and operational requirements.

The 360-litre organic bins will be installed in all city parks with an off-leash dog designation in 2027.

The City of Ottawa operates and maintains more than 1,300 parks.

For parks not chosen for the new three-stream waste bins, the city will look for a “new style of waste receptacle” to be installed, along with any required standardized signage.

“The new style of waste receptacles proposed will prioritize accessibility and design standards to coordinate with existing park infrastructure and support ease of use among residents and park visitors,” staff say.

“Solid Waste Services will consider receptacles with accessible lids and increased capacity to address common concerns and issues around maintenance, odours, insects/pests and illegal dumping of waste not generated in City parks.”

According to the city, “District” parks are large, centralized parks used for city-wide functions, tourism, or sports tournaments. A “Community” park is a park 3.2 hectares to 10 hectares in size with a range of facilities offered for passive or active transportation, while a “Neighbourhood” park is 1.2 hectares to 3.2 hectares in size, is within walking distance for local residents and can provide active or passive recreation.

The key goal of the new Solid Waste Master Plan is to extend the life of the Trail Road Landfill until 2049, with several initiatives to reduce the amount of waste residents are throwing out.

Last year, the city implemented a new three-item limit for garbage collection.