Landfill Lateral Expansion

The Squamish Landfill is on track to reach capacity in late 2028 to early 2029. To ensure that residents and businesses continue to have a local waste disposal option, the District of Squamish is working to expand the Landfill laterally to the east of the current Landfill.

The land identified for the lateral expansion, is unceded land claimed by the Crown, which lies within the traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). The District is working closely with Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw as part of this process.

A map of the current landfill and proposed expansion site can be found here.

The lateral landfill expansion project aims to:

• Ensure local waste disposal for the next 25+ years
• Be innovative and flexible to be more than "just a landfill" in the future
• Integrate smoothly with existing infrastructure to provide environmentally sound operations
• Upgrade the transfer station to provide increased waste diversion opportunities
• Reduce the impact of leachate on the District’s sewer system
• Utilize the unused future landfill area to temporarily support circular economy and reuse initiatives

Engagement Process and Next Steps:

From May 18 - September 16, 2022 the District engaged the community to provide information, collect feedback, and answer questions about the proposed landfill later expansion. A summary of what we heard during the engagement is available here.

A report detailing the feedback heard during the engagement, as well as the proposed language for the focused amendment, will be shared with the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) in early 2023. It will then be submitted to the Province for approval. It is anticipated to take a least a year for Provincial approval. This complete report can be found here.

Background:

The Squamish Landfill services residents and businesses of the District of Squamish, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw, Britannia Beach, Furry Creek, as well as the Squamish and Paradise Valleys.

Solid waste in Squamish is managed according to the SLRD Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan (SWRMP), which was published in 2016. The SWRMP provides a long-term vision for how the region will handle solid waste, as well as waste reduction, diversion, and disposal activities. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MOECCS) oversees the SWRMP.

The District of Squamish is working with the SLRD to add a focused amendment to the existing SWRMP that will allow for the lateral expansion of the Squamish Landfill. View the proposed amendment wording here.

While not the preferred option, the District of Squamish is also working with the SLRD to add a clause to the SWRMP that will allow for waste to be exported out of the region as an alternative, through the focused amendment process. It is not anticipated, but if a lateral expansion is not possible for any reason, or a temporary waste disposal solution is needed, the District will move forward with waste export.

Both amendments to the SWRMP will be sent to the MOECCS for approval.