Waste in the Northwest Territories
Image source: Government of Canada, 2017
Overview of waste in the Northwest Territories
Residential vs. Non-Residential waste in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 2020
In 2020, 37,409 tonnes of waste (38.8%) was generated by residential sources in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, while 58,886 tonnes of waste (61.2%) was generated by non-residential sources. In total, 96,294 tonnes of municipal solid waste was generated in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut in 2020 (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Waste production in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 2012-2022
In the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut, non-residential waste has increased by 1.8 % from 57,868 tonnes in 2018 to 58,886 tonnes in 2020. Similarly, residential waste has increased by 14.7 % between 32,621 tonnes in 2018 to 37,409 tonnes in 2020. Notably, data for residential and non-residential waste in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut for 2012-2016 and 2022 is currently unavailable (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Waste per capita in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 2012-2022
With a total population of 126,085 the waste per capita of residential waste in the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut was 0.30 tonnes in 2020, reflecting an increase of 15.4 % from 0.26 tonnes in 2018.
For non-residential waste, the waste per capita in Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut was 0.47 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 2.2 % from 0.46 tonnes in 2018 (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Composition of residential waste in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 2022
For residential waste in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, it is documented that 2,258 tonnes were ferrous metals (81.7%), 340 tonnes were copper and aluminum (12.3%), 167 tonnes were gable top and aseptic containers (6.0%), and 0 tonnes were other forms of waste (0.0%) (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Composition of non-residential waste in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 2022
For non-residential waste in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon, 4,487 tonnes of ferrous metals (98.3%) and 77 tonnes of other forms of waste (1.7%) were documented (Statistics Canada, 2024).
Solid waste assets in the Northwest Territories, 2022
In the Northwest Territories, there are in total 38 solid waste assets. Specifically, there are 17 active dump sites (44.7%), 9 active engineered landfills (23.7%), 5 materials recovery facilities (13.2%), 4 closed sites (inactive engineered landfills and dumps) (10.5%), 2 transfer stations (5.3%), and 1 composting facility (2.6%) (Statistics Canada, 2022).
References
Government of Canada. (2024). Solid waste diversion and disposal. Retrieved June 16, 2024, from https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/solid-waste-diversion-disposal.html
Statistics Canada. (2024). Table 38-10-0138-01 Waste materials diverted, by type and by source DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/3810013801-eng
Statistics Canada. (2024). Table 17-10-0009-01 Population estimates, quarterly. DOI:https://doi.org/10.25318/1710000901-eng
Statistics Canada. (2024). Table 38-10-0032-01 Disposal of waste, by source DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/3810003201-eng
Statistics Canada. (2022). Table 34-10-0236-01 Inventory of publicly owned solid waste assets, Infrastructure Canada DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/3410023601-eng
Government of Canada. (2017). Provincial and territorial symbols. Retrieved August 15, 2024, from https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/provincial-territorial-symbols-canada.html
Notes
”Misc.” data refers to miscellaneous data, and indicates any form of waste adding up to less than 3.0% individually, added together in one category for better overview.