Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ottawa City Council has approved next steps to acquire the Capital Region Resource Recovery Centre, a privately owned waste management site in the city’s east end, securing long-term landfill capacity as Ottawa’s population continues to grow.
The Capital Region Resource Recovery Centre (CRRRC) is the first and only landfill approved by the province in more than 20 years and is expected to have a lifespan of about 30 years. Regardless of ownership, the site is approved to operate as a landfill. City officials say purchasing the property would give Ottawa greater control over how and when the site is developed, allowing decisions to reflect community priorities and long-term waste needs.
Beyond acquiring the land, the deal approved on Wednesday would also secure all existing provincial approvals tied to the site, saving years of regulatory work and providing certainty for future planning, according to a report to council.
The City of Ottawa said a landfill will be required to manage residual waste in a safe and sustainable way over the long term, regardless of future diversion efforts or waste-to-energy solutions. City staff noted that every waste system leaves some material that cannot be recycled or converted to energy and must be disposed of responsibly.
While the city does not plan to use the CRRRC as a landfill immediately, council directed that any development of the site would follow future council decisions and include opportunities for residents to provide input on design and operations.
Council also authorized staff to finalize an asset purchase agreement and approved the necessary budget authority for the acquisition. The purchase price remains confidential under a non-disclosure agreement required as part of the competitive bidding process. Staff are expected to report back to council in open session once the acquisition is complete, anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2026, to disclose details of the agreement, including the cost.
The Jan. 14 decision does not determine when or how the site will ultimately be used, nor does it rule out or guarantee any specific waste management solution. Council is scheduled to consider the results of the city’s long-term solid waste strategy study in 2027. City officials said all options under review would still require access to landfill capacity.
