Human activity and the environment, 2012

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The 2012 issue of Human Activity and the Environment, released today, features an article on "Waste management in Canada," which assembles a variety of statistics describing the generation and management of different types of waste.

The first section contains an overview of waste generation in Canada. Other sections cover solid waste, waste water discharges and air emissions in greater detail. Data from Statistics Canada, as well as from other federal government departments and international organizations, were used in compiling the article.

The article also presents information on solid waste diversion, including everything from dead batteries to 'e-waste' such as cellphones, computers and televisions.

About 8.5 million tonnes of solid waste were diverted for recycling or composting in 2008. Organic materials managed at centralized facilities represented 29% of total waste diversion, at just over 2.4 million tonnes.

In 2009, 58% of households had dead or unwanted batteries to dispose of. About 42% of these households discarded them in the regular garbage.

Just over one-third (36%) of households reported having electronic devices they wished to dispose of. About 45% of these households used a depot or drop-off centre for e-waste disposal, while 22% donated unwanted electronic products or gave them away. About 28% still had their unwanted devices at home.