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The City updated the 2014 Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) to explore new and innovative ways of supporting our growing community’s waste management needs. The updated plan was approved by Council in 2022.
The Solid Waste Management Master Plan guides how Guelph manages waste today and provides strategic direction for the next 25 years. It outlines recommendations to reduce waste, improve recycling, support the circular economy and plan long-term infrastructure.
Key Focus Areas and Recommendations
The City completed extensive engagement to ensure the updated Solid Waste Management Master Plan is reflective of Guelph residents, businesses, City staff and key stakeholders.
The SWMMP provides a roadmap for Guelph’s waste management through the identification of 29 strategic recommendations across 12 focus areas:
Last update: April 2026
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Residual waste management | Initiated, deferred |
Conducted research into alternative methods of waste disposal. Additional work is not currently funded as part of the City’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Monitoring and updating the plan | Initiated, deferred | Ongoing monitoring. Updating the plan is deferred in budget until 2029. |
| Blue Box transition | Complete | Blue box changes |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Phase 1, targeted program | Complete | Single-use items reduction strategy and ban |
| Phase 2, expanded program | Complete | Single-use items reduction strategy and ban |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Downtown waste collection service | On track | Have Your Say – Downtown Waste Project |
| Downtown public space containers | On track | Have Your Say – Downtown Shared Waste Container Pilot |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Small, mixed-use buildings | Complete | Waste collection for businesses |
| Institutional facilities | Complete | Waste collection for businesses |
| Schools | On track | Work has been initiated |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Circular Economy Policy | On track | Circular Economy webpage |
| Attract circular economy businesses | On track | Work completed through COIL. Currently working with Boundless Accelerator; the City of Guelph is providing in-kind value to support the training and networking of circular businesses in their Southern Ontario Environmental Impact Fund and program cohorts therein. |
| Waste exchange programs | Pilot completed | Work completed through COIL. |
| Zero Waste Economy Transformation Lab | Pilot completed | Zero Waste Economic Transformation Lab |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Increase the annual promotion and education budget to $4/household | Deferred | This initiative is not currently funded as part of the City’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Enhance support for outreach and communication | On track | Two consultants were retained to conduct market research and develop an outreach strategy. Work completed in 2024. Recommendations will be incorporated into the Solid Waste Programs work plan. |
| Youth promotion and education | Deferred | This initiative is not currently funded as part of the City’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Community sharing and repair | On track | Community Benefit Agreement with the Guelph Tool Library. |
| Support community organizations | On track | Community Benefit Agreement with the Guelph Tool Library. |
| Waste recovery “shopping” | Deferred | This initiative is not currently funded as part of the City’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Textile reuse and recycling | Complete | Textile reuse and recycling initiatives completed through the City’s collaboration with the Guelph Tool Library, including repair cafes and third-party recyclers for items not recycled through municipal programs. Clothing donation locations |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Collect more waste streams at the public drop-off and/or options for public access | On track |
Mattress recycling pilot completed in 2023 and officially launched program in 2025. Exploring mixed construction and demolition recycling/ |
| Second public drop-off and/or options for public access | Deferred | This initiative is not currently funded as part of the City’s 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Collect more residential waste | On track | Mobile Hazardous and Special Waste Program has been initiated. |
| Improve diversion in apartment and condominium buildings | On track | The focus has been on transitioning multi-residential properties. No ambassador program at this time. |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Process yard waste | Deferred | This initiative is not currently funded as part of the 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| On-site composting | Ongoing | Compost at home or at work |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Community-based social marketing | Pilot completed | The Gold Star program was piloted in 2023 as part of the Curbside Inspection Program but not currently funded as part of the 2024-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Conduct regular waste composition audits | Initiated, deferred | Completed seasonally since 2021-2025, but not currently funded as part of the 2026-2027 multi-year budget. |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Implement disposable bans | To be scheduled | |
| Enhance education and enforcement mechanisms | Initiated, deferred | Curbside inspections conducted between 2021-2024, but not currently funded as part of the 2025-2027 multi-year budget. AI initiative deferred. |
| Recommendation | Status | Notes |
| Assess user fee structure and subsidization levels | On track | Downtown User Fee Study |
Latest Updates
- Dispose of your batteries safely—drop them off in battery recycling bins!
- Some City rates and fees changing January 1
- Guelph residents can recycle all packaging starting January 1, 2026
For More Information
Solid Waste Resources
519-767-0598; TTY: 519-826-9771
[email protected]
Resources
- Guelph and the Circular Economy
- Current State Report: October 2021
- Future State and Growth Report: November 2021
- Single-Use Items Strategy, Options & Recommendations Report: November 2021
- Industrial, Commercial & Institutional Collection Service Standards Report: September 2021
- Downtown Service Review Report: September 2021
- Financial Analysis and User Pay Report: November 2021