Minutes (Appointed) - Environmental Advisory Committee - 20260420
Town of Aurora
Environmental Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Monday, April 20, 2026
7 p.m.
Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Ron Weese (Chair)
Victor Carvalho
Shun Chen*
Jason Cheng
Angela Daust
Leta Dayfoot*
Alain Godin
Denis Heng
Ken Turriff (arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Other Attendees: Councillor Wendy Gaertner* (arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Will Stover, Analyst, Energy and Climate Change
Natalie Kehle, Program Manager, Energy and Environment
Dan Naccarato, Manager, Public Works
Amanda Cutler, Coordinator, Waste/Recycling
Julia Shipcott, Council/Committee Coordinator
*Attended electronically
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
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April 20, 2026 2
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Angela Daust
Seconded by Alain Godin
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 23, 2026
Moved by Victor Carvalho
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
1. That the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
February 23, 2026, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Program Manager, Energy and Environment; Re:
Corporate Waste Audit and Reduction Plan Update
Staff provided a brief overview of the Town's first Corporate Waste Audit
which will be used as a baseline to build the Town's Waste Reduction Plan,
and introduced Katie McMillan, Manager of Waste Analytics and
Development, AET Group Inc.
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April 20, 2026 3
Katie presented the key objectives of the project consisting of auditing 15
waste locations including five Town facilities, nine park/trail bin locations
and one public event. Detailed audit results for garbage, recycling, and
organics disposal, as well as diversion and capture rates were provided, in
addition to providing cost-savings solutions and feasible reduction
strategies to improve implementation and reduce waste contamination.
The following suggestions were provided to the Committee:
maintaining ongoing waste audits every one-three years, using
repeated methodologies in order to compare results
continuing with existing initiatives to manage dog waste
implementing on-site monitoring and provide internal escalation
framework
following the waste hierarchy of reducing, repairing, refurbishing,
recycling, and energy recovery
enhancing education and signage initiatives
The Committee suggested providing tri-sort recycling bins in all Town
public facility locations, increasing the number of dog waste bins in parks
and trails, enhancing signage at receptacles to educate users on the
consequences of cross-contamination, generating a waste-diversion
challenge between municipalities, partnering with local schools to
generate a waste diversion curriculum, and removing garbage receptacles
from public facilities entirely to ensure visitors take their garbage home.
Regarding public events, and the Aurora Rib Fest in particular, the
Committee suggested providing additional volunteers to assist with waste
sorting and placing responsibility on vendors to separate their own waste.
Staff noted that some Town facilities, due to historical contamination
rates, have been refused servicing of organic and recycling streams by the
contractor. Staff are looking to align future contracts more closely with
residential contracts. Staff added that sourcing enough volunteers to staff
the full length of Aurora Rib Fest has proven challenging in the past.
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April 20, 2026 4
Moved by Ken Turriff
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
1. That the memorandum regarding Corporate Waste Audit and
Reduction Plan Update be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Corporate Waste Audit and Reduction Plan Update be received and
referred to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Manager, Public Works; Re: Waste Program and
Recycling Update
Staff provided an extensive overview of the Waste Program which
included key waste initiatives, current education programs, community
events and pilot programs planned throughout the year, and outlined the
distribution of responsibility between Circular Materials, GFL
Environmental Inc. and the Town. Staff reported positive five-year solid
waste and green bin results. Additionally, staff spoke to results of the
Public Information Centre and survey which occurred in the fall of 2025,
outlined waste management services provided under the current contract
and opportunities for enhancing the new waste collection contract. Staff
added that York Region’s annual recycling audits shortly will be provided
shortly and parameters will remain consistent for year-over-year
comparisons. Staff will commence updates to the Waste By-law to reflect
all recent changes next term.
The Committee inquired whether there will be any budget efficiencies
realized with Circular Materials and suggested increasing corporate green
bin diversion rates within the Waste Program, in addition to improving
resident education on waste solutions to outline benefits of involvement.
The Committee noted inconsistencies contained in three different
recycling apps provided to residents by Recycle Coach, Circular Materials
and York Region, and staff provided assurance that all inconsistencies will
be reviewed and best efforts made to rectify them.
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April 20, 2026 5
Moved by Alain Godin
Seconded by Leta Dayfoot
1. That the memorandum regarding Waste Program and Recycling
Update be received; and
2. That the Environmental Advisory Committee comments regarding
Waste Program and Recycling Update be received and referred to staff
for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
The Committee inquired into the funding request on tree canopy research; staff
will forward the request to the appropriate department. The Committee
discussed opportunities to become involved in additional initiatives surrounding
Earth Week in conjunction with other communities, and staff provided an
overview of the Town’s acknowledgements of Earth Week 2026 including an anti-
idling campaign and providing free EV charging at all municipal Level -2 stations.
The Committee acknowledged concern regarding the province's repealing of the
Endangered Species Act, 2007 as well as consolidating its 36 existing
conservation authorities (CAs) into nine regional entities, the result of which
would see the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority merge with multiple
other CAs.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Jason Cheng
Seconded by Angela Daust
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Carried