Penetanguishene Mayor Urges Urgent Action as Simcoe Landfills Near Capacity, Raises Health Concerns

Canada produces more waste per person than any other country, and in Simcoe County, landfill space is projected to run out in less than two years.

Speaking with an LJI reporter, Deepak Bidwai, Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson warned that time is running out as the county’s landfill capacity nears its absolute limit. According to municipal data, Simcoe’s Collingwood landfill closed last year, with the Nottawasaga site expected to follow next year. The Oro facility — the county’s largest and last remaining site, with 259,571 cubic metres of space — is projected to reach full capacity by 2027. Province-wide, Ontario has fewer than nine years of landfill capacity left.

Rawson, who has taken a leadership role among the county’s mayors, pointed to opportunities for waste diversion. He noted that nearly half of the material going to landfill is organic, citing waste audits that show substantial volumes could instead be placed in green bins. He emphasized that improved public education on proper waste sorting could significantly reduce pressure on landfills.

In 2021, Simcoe County produced roughly 470 kg of waste per person annually, which is about 39% higher than Toronto, 29% higher than York, and 30% higher than Waterloo—underscoring its leading role in per‑capita waste generation among major jurisdictions in Ontario.

Trends since 2006 show that while overall waste generation in Simcoe has steadily increased, the amount diverted through recycling and composting has also risen. However, landfill disposal rates have remained relatively constant. In light of these facts, Mayor Rawson underscored the urgent need for more effective waste reduction strategies, public education, and regional collaboration across the county.