Ali Shayvard
"Ottawa cannot keep burying our garbage and simply pushing the problem onto the next generation.
Our Trail Waste Facility is expected to reach capacity around 2034–2035 if we continue with current disposal habits. As Mayor, I will not wait until we are facing a crisis. I will move quickly to advance a modern waste-management facility that can recover reusable and recyclable materials and convert suitable remaining waste into energy.
The technology already exists, including here in Ontario. I want Ottawa to seriously pursue it, through a competitive and responsible process, while creating local jobs and planning for our city's long-term growth.
At the same time, a true circular economy means reducing waste before it ever reaches that facility. I will support more reuse, repair, recycling, composting and recovery of valuable materials so we keep resources in circulation instead of throwing them away.
My goal is simple: dramatically reduce what Ottawa sends to landfill, recover value and energy from what remains, create jobs, and build a waste system that can serve our city for generations."
Jeff Leiper
"Ottawa needs to fundamentally reduce how much waste we send to landfill. I have supported stronger waste diversion throughout my time on Council, including expanding the use of the green bin, improving recycling and putting greater emphasis on reducing waste in the first place.
We should not be sending organic material to landfill when we have a mature green bin program that can divert it. I want to see greater participation in the green bin program, including in multi-residential buildings, alongside better education and practical tools that make it easier for residents to reduce their waste.
But ultimately, we need to consume less and reuse more. A circular economy means keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, recycling and better procurement. The City can help by using its own purchasing power, supporting community reuse and repair initiatives, and diverting more construction and recoverable materials from landfill."
Neil Saravanamuttoo
"I will make it easier for residents to keep difficult materials out of landfill through regular neighbourhood collection events.
Many households want to dispose of electronics, paint, batteries and textiles responsibly, but travelling across the city can be a barrier. My plan will empower community associations to organize local collection events, building on community-led approaches already identified in my platform.
The City's role will be to help scale this model across Ottawa so responsible disposal becomes more convenient. This provides a practical starting point for recovering materials and reducing waste."
Peter Westaway
"We should start building a modern waste to energy incinerator at the Trail Road dump. And our recycling and green bin programs are terrible and should be overhauled."