Waste
We create emissions when our organic waste breaks down in landfills and when we treat wastewater.
Where waste comes from in B.C.
Waste can look like household garbage, food waste, littered coastlines or discarded building materials.
Each person in B.C. threw away an average of 479 kg of solid waste in 2023, down 5% from 2021. Industries in B.C. also make waste when they throw away extra materials.
Tracking emissions from waste
We measure emissions from disposing of and burning waste and treating wastewater. We also measure emissions from large wood waste landfills used by industry.
Climate pollution from waste caused 3% of emissions in B.C. in 2022.
Reducing emissions from waste
We’re changing how B.C. gets rid of waste.
By 2030, action taken by the province will have kept 95% of residential food and yard waste out of the landfill.
Circular economy
B.C. is building a circular economy. We’re focusing on sharing, reusing, repairing and recycling materials. This approach pollutes less, keeps waste out of the landfill and makes better use of resources. B.C. is developing a strategy to support industry as we work together to develop a circular economy.
B.C. is taking action
Explore how B.C. is working to clean up the places we live and change the way we handle waste.
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Cleaning our shores
We’ve helped remove abandoned or wrecked boats and other marine debris from the shores of coastal communities. This is the largest shoreline debris clean-up in history.
The Coastal Clean Waters Initiative Fund has supported projects covering 6,400 km of shoreline.
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Collecting more organic waste
We’ve made it easier to keep your organic waste out of the garbage by investing in new and expanded organic waste processing infrastructure and collection.
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Keeping more organic waste out of landfills
We’ve funded programs that are helping B.C. process more organic waste. This keeps more organics out of land fills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
