Master Plans & Studies
Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP)
Each year, the City of Hamilton manages approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste, including garbage, organics, and other materials that can be diverted from landfill. To handle this responsibly, the City has developed a solid waste management system that covers collection, processing, recycling, and disposal.
In 2001, the City launched its first 25-year Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP) to guide how waste is managed. In 2026, a new SWMMP was approved by Council with a planning horizon of 2050 to guide the next 25 years of waste management in Hamilton.
2026 - 2050 Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Hamilton’s new 2026-2050 Solid Waste Management Master Plan features numerous updates that are detailed below. These updates focus on creating a waste management system that considers environmental, social and financial impacts when determining operational, program and policy changes.
Download the City of Hamilton Solid Waste Management Master Plan 2026-2050
Vision Statement
“Hamilton’s waste system will support waste reduction by working with the community to reuse materials, extend their lifespan, promote a circular economy, and recover resources through recycling and energy recovery – creating a cleaner, more resilient place to live, raise a child and age successfully.”
Guiding Principles
- Responsibility for Waste
The City will maintain responsibility for managing waste generated within its boundaries. Inter-regional facilities may be considered for divertible materials and garbage where they support environmental, economic or operational goals. - The Role of the Glanbrook Landfill
The Glanbrook Landfill plays a key role in the City’s waste management system. To extend its lifespan and reduce environmental impact, the City must prioritize waste reduction and enhance diversion programs, services and initiatives. - Advancing a Circular Economy
The City must lead and support the shift toward a circular economy by promoting waste minimization through reduction, reuse and the responsible use of resources. - Inclusive and Accessible Services
Waste services and education will be inclusive and accessible, reflecting the diversity of Hamilton’s communities and supporting grassroots leadership.
Short-Term Action Items
To accomplish the goals of Hamilton’s 2026-2050 Solid Waste Management Master Plan, the plan includes a list of Short‑Term actions that are planned to be completed from 2026–2030 and are listed below.
Targets
An important piece of Hamilton’s 2026-2050 Solid Waste Management Plan is how success of the plan will be tracked. To do this, the plan includes five key performance indicators with targets as seen in the table below.
| KPI | 2030 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Waste Diversion Rate | 35% | 40% | 50% |
| Single-Family Green Bin Capture Rate | 60% | 75% | 90% |
| Multi-Residential Green Bin Capture Rate | 33% | 52% | 70% |
| Green House Gas Emissions from Landfill | - | - | Net Zero |
| Customer Satisfaction | 80% | 85% | 90% |
Resources
- 2026-2050 SWMMP Report
- May 25, 2026: Staff presentation at Public Works Committee
- 2020 Solid Waste Management Master Plan Review – an operational update to the 2001 SWMMP to ensure the action items were on track to be completed by the end of 2025.
- 2012 Solid Waste Management Master Plan – an update to the 2001 SWMMP to respond to changing waste generation patterns, service delivery models, and evolving federal and provincial regulatory requirements.
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