City exploring 3 options to replace Trail Road landfill

The City of Ottawa has identified three viable options to replace the Trail Road landfill before it reaches capacity in as few as 10 years.

According to a report released Friday ahead of next week's environment and climate change committee meeting, the city's best options include incineration, continuing to use the current dump alongside a private facility, or creating a new municipal landfill.

Once council approves those options, staff will begin examining each in depth, for which about $600,000 has already been set aside.

The Trail Waste Facility Landfill opened in 1980 and was originally expected to last 20 years. City council approved an expansion in 2007, giving the dump another 10 to 40 years, depending on use. 

Based on current level of disposal, the landfill is now expected to reach capacity around 2035. Nevertheless, the report says a final decision isn't required until 2029.

Top 3 options

The "waste management technologies feasibility study" explored five scenarios for replacing the landfill. 

Two of those options failed to make the cut: a mixed-waste processing facility (MWP) where all categories of refuse would be disposed of in one place, and combining MWP with a waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration facility.

"The WTE Incineration Facility was the highest ranked technology as it offers significant environmental benefits, including a 77 per cent landfill diversion rate and energy recovery, which aligns with the city's strategic priorities," staff wrote. 

However, building such a facility could cost up to $862 million and would require a complex regulatory approval process, staff said. 

If the city continues to use Trail Road until it reaches capacity, municipal waste would then be sent to a private facility for disposal. But there are potential drawbacks with that option, too, staff warned.

"This option tied for highest ranking; however, it exposes the city to long-term financial and environmental risks, including escalating landfill tipping fees, reduced airspace and/or capacity at regional waste facilities, limited control over disposal operations, and an increased risk of potentially higher GHG emissions."

The option to build a new landfill was ranked third and would cost up to $761 million, according to the report. 

If approved by council, staff would move forward with an in-depth evaluation of the top three scenarios and report back with a recommendation during the next term of council. Despite the tight timeline, staff say the project remains on schedule.

"This will allow for the 10-year timeframe required for approvals, development and implementation of a new waste management solution," according to the report.