Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Initiatives

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In June 2024, Ottawa City Council approved the Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP). The plan guides how the City will sustainably manage waste over the next 30 years. One of the key actions in the plan is to support and grow community programs that help reduce and reuse waste.

These programs have many benefits. They:

  • Help residents save money
  • Build stronger communities
  • Protect natural resources
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Save landfill space and lower waste collection costs

We know many community groups are already helping residents reduce and reuse waste. Now, we want to hear from you!

  • What programs or events are you aware of?
  • Which ones do you take part in?
  • What challenges do you face?
  • What could the City do to help?

Your feedback will help us decide which programs to support and what new ideas to explore, so we can build a stronger sharing economy in Ottawa.

This project page will be your hub for updates and opportunities to provide feedback for community waste reduction and reuse.

If you require assistance or are experiencing technical problems with this page, please contact us at wasteplan@ottawa.ca. For assistance, residents without internet access or those needing additional support to complete the survey can contact the Waste Plan Team by phone at 613-580-2400, extension 25550.

Translations other than French were completed using a third-party translation service. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, some variations in meaning may occur.

In June 2024, Ottawa City Council approved the Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP). The plan guides how the City will sustainably manage waste over the next 30 years. One of the key actions in the plan is to support and grow community programs that help reduce and reuse waste.

These programs have many benefits. They:

  • Help residents save money
  • Build stronger communities
  • Protect natural resources
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Save landfill space and lower waste collection costs

We know many community groups are already helping residents reduce and reuse waste. Now, we want to hear from you!

  • What programs or events are you aware of?
  • Which ones do you take part in?
  • What challenges do you face?
  • What could the City do to help?

Your feedback will help us decide which programs to support and what new ideas to explore, so we can build a stronger sharing economy in Ottawa.

This project page will be your hub for updates and opportunities to provide feedback for community waste reduction and reuse.

If you require assistance or are experiencing technical problems with this page, please contact us at wasteplan@ottawa.ca. For assistance, residents without internet access or those needing additional support to complete the survey can contact the Waste Plan Team by phone at 613-580-2400, extension 25550.

Translations other than French were completed using a third-party translation service. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, some variations in meaning may occur.

  • Free Drop & Swap: Fall Pop-Up

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    Turn “too much stuff” into “just what someone needed”. Bring your gently used fall and winter things like sports gear, Halloween costumes or Holiday decorations and swap them for something new-to-you! It’s a fun, landfill-friendly seasonal way to declutter, connect with your neighbours, and give pre-loved treasures a second life.

    The event is hosted by Ottawa South Eco-Action Network (OSEAN) and sponsored by the City of Ottawa. It is free to attend.


    Saturday, September 13

    Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, Ellwood Hall

    1265 Walkley Road

    Doors open 10 am to 2 pm. Items can be dropped off from 9 am.

    Accepting:

    • Heavy blankets
    • Winter sporting gear
    • Dish sets
    • Canning supplies
    • Matched Tupperware
    • Back-to-school kitchenware and small appliances
    • Knitting/crochet supplies
    • DVDs, DVD players
    • Halloween costumes (kids and adults)
    • Children’s winter outdoor clothing
    • Holiday decorations (fall/winter/Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa etc.)
    • Books
    • Board games
    • Sleeping Bags
    • Backpacks

    Please do not bring:

    • Bulky items too big for a shopping bag
    • Car seats and bike helmets
    • Items that are not in working order or in good condition
    • Any type of waste, especially hazardous or electronic waste. See the Waste Explorer for disposal options.

    All items exchanged at this event are offered as-is. Neither the City nor OSEAN warrant the safety, condition, or fitness for purpose of any item and assumes no liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the use of exchanged items.

  • Thank you for sharing your input on waste reduction and reuse in Ottawa!

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    A big thank you to residents and community partners who took the time to complete the Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Survey! We received over a thousand responses.

    Your ideas, insights, and experiences are helping us reimagine how we can reduce what we buy new and give everyday items a second life. Whether it’s swapping, sharing, repairing, or repurposing, your feedback is shaping the future of reuse in Ottawa.

    What’s next?
    The insights gathered from the survey will be included in a 'What We Learned' report, to be shared in the coming months, and will help inform next steps, including the development of a Community Waste Reduction and Reuse Action Plan.

    Want to stay in the loop?
    Stay tuned to this page for project updates and subscribe to the Solid Waste Master Plan eNewsletter for news on waste reduction and reuse-related initiatives.

  • Today is World Environment Day: how can we make it easier to keep usable items out of the landfill?

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    supporting image

    We know that many household goods don’t have to end up in the garbage. They can be reused, repurposed, repaired, resold or donated to charities. Items such as clothing, shoes, furniture and bicycles can be used again and again. Today marks World Environment Day, a perfect occasion to reflect on how we can make a more positive impact on reducing our waste and increasing our diversion habits. We want your ideas on how the City can support residents to reuse, repair or share these items and keep them out of the landfill. Residents are invited to complete the survey from now until July 7.

    Your ideas will be used to inform an Action Plan to increase waste reduction and reuse opportunities in the community.

    This important work is part of the roll-out of actions identified in the Solid Waste Master Plan that was approved by Council last year.

    There are many existing community initiatives to keep usable items out of the landfill:

    • Clothing donation bins or at home clothing collection through charity organizations

    • Furniture donation options

    • Thrift and consignment stores

    • Garage sales

    • Free markets and swaps

    • Free online groups such as Buy-Nothing

    • Rental opportunities


    Share your ideas

    We want to know which initiatives you already use and what your barriers are to re-using, donating or repairing items. If you have other ideas on how we can support residents to reduce or reuse waste, then we’d like to know those too.

    Following best practices observed through the SWMP, the survey are available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Simplified Chinese. For additional context and background, a one-pager on key topics, including textiles, bulky items and the sharing economy, will also be available in additional languages.

    Take the survey:

    Reuse Survey: English

    Reuse Survey: French

    Reuse Survey: Spanish

    Reuse Survey: Arabic

    Reuse Survey: Simplified Chinese


    The survey will be open until July 7.


Page last updated: 05 Sep 2025, 02:06 PM