The purpose of the project is to increase the landfill airspace capacity at the Twin Creeks Environmental Centre (TCEC), including optimizing the landfill design and operation, maximizing the use of the constructed infrastructure and the significant investment made by WM at the TCEC. The landfill optimization could involve a vertical or horizontal expansion within the existing 301 ha site. This optimization project could provide additional landfill airspace of up to approximately 14M m³, which could extend the site life by approximately 12 years (from 2031 to 2043). The TCEC has approximately 11.6M m3 of approved airspace remaining, which is approximately 8 years of operating life. No changes are being proposed to the size of the current 301 ha site area, the approved service area, or the annual fill rate.
The development of additional landfill capacity within the TCEC site can be achieved through a vertical expansion within the currently approved 101.8 ha expansion landfill footprint or through a horizontal expansion into other areas of the TCEC site.
A vertical expansion would involve redesigning the originally planned and approved final contours of the 101.8 ha expansion landfill including potential changes to the grade of the side slopes and the peak elevation. There is a range of potential options for changes to the side slopes and peak elevation. These options are referred to as ‘alternative methods’.
A horizontal expansion within the overall TCEC site would likely require that development occur on the existing closed landfill area at the east of the site or within the southern portion of the site.
Based on a qualitative consideration of the potential vertical and horizontal expansion methods available within the site area, in addition to potentially locating waste in close proximity to the Village, the horizontal alternatives result in significant additional costs and do not optimize the use of the available and constructed infrastructure at the site to the extent possible. Given the financial, technological, and community risks and concerns associated with the horizontal alternative methods, WM has identified a preference for a vertical alternative method.
This project will provide longer-term certainty of service continuity to WM’s customers beyond the remaining 8 years of capacity.
In accordance with Ontario Regulation 101/07 under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the Guide to Environmental Assessment Requirements for Waste Management Projects, the proposed project is designated as an undertaking to which the Act applies. It is essential for WM to start the Environmental Assessment (EA) approvals process now so that the necessary approvals are in place to allow an efficient implementation of the landfill optimization project. The purpose of the EA is to assess the potential effects of the proposed landfill optimization on the environment.