Waste Education
Learn how the City is working to reduce waste, improve recycling and organics programs, and support waste education in our community. Explore our waste management strategy, educational resources and residential waste audits.
Integrated Waste Management Strategy (IWMS)
In 2024, we gathered public feedback and information to update the Making Waste Matter: Integrated Waste Management Strategy (IWMS). The 2025–2029 update builds on previous work and includes new actions to improve how we manage waste.
The strategy focuses on expanding waste diversion programs, reducing the amount of waste produced by households and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills. Instead of focusing on the residential diversion rate, the updated strategy measures progress by how much waste we can reduce. The goal is to achieve a 53% reduction of the current annual residential disposal rate by 2048.
School Education
These organizations offer resources and activities to help students learn about waste, recycling and the circular economy. Teachers and school staff can use these resources in the classroom:
Residential Waste Audits
The City of Kawartha Lakes completes residential waste audits from time to time to better understand how residents are using the organics, recycling and garbage programs.
During an audit, City staff complete a visual check of waste that has been set out for collection. Staff may record information such as:
• Participation in the organics program
• Whether organics are being set out on residents' regular collection day
• Whether garbage, recycling and organics are sorted correctly
The information collected helps the City:
• Measure participation in waste diversion programs
• Identify trends and opportunities to improve resident education
• Monitor the success of waste program changes
• Plan future waste reduction and diversion initiatives
Residential waste audits are one of the tools the City uses to improve waste services, reduce contamination, increase waste diversion, and help extend the life of all landfill sites.
