A newly launched digital platform is drawing attention to significant gaps in how contaminated soil is tracked across Ontario, as the province prepares for a landfill ban set to take effect in 2027.
The platform, Ontario Soil Tracker, aggregates and visualizes publicly available data from Ontario’s Excess Soil Registry. Its release comes at a critical time for the construction and environmental sectors, where managing excess soil has become both a regulatory and sustainability issue.
Low Participation Raises Concerns
Despite provincial requirements, participation in the official registry remains limited. Fewer than 15 percent of applicable sites are registered, according to the platform’s creators.
Rising costs are seen as a key barrier. Registration fees for large sites can reach up to $230,000, with increases exceeding 2,000 percent since 2022. These costs, combined with limited incentives, have discouraged compliance.
Ontario generates tens of millions of tonnes of contaminated soil each year from construction activity. Without widespread tracking, much of this material’s movement remains undocumented, raising concerns about oversight and missed reuse opportunities.
Sustainability Pressures Mount
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The issue is becoming more urgent as the province moves toward banning certain soils from landfills starting January 1, 2027. The policy is part of broader efforts to promote resource recovery and reduce waste.
Current practices suggest the system is not yet prepared. About 80 percent of reusable soil is still sent to landfill rather than redirected to construction or redevelopment sites.
Landfill capacity is also tightening, with projections indicating sites could reach capacity within seven years. This adds pressure to improve diversion strategies and establish systems that support large-scale reuse.
Role of Regulation and Data
Ontario’s excess soil framework, governed by Regulation 406/19, requires project leaders to track soil origin, quality and destination. The Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority oversees the registry, aiming to improve transparency and compliance.
In 2026, regulatory requirements are expanding, including mandatory registration for larger reuse sites and stricter tracking rules. These changes are intended to strengthen accountability ahead of the landfill ban.
Ontario Soil Tracker aims to support these efforts by making data easier to access. The platform allows contractors, planners and policymakers to examine soil movement across the province and identify reporting gaps.
Bridging the Gap Before 2027
With the landfill ban approaching, the construction industry faces increasing pressure to adopt more efficient and transparent soil management practices. Tools that improve visibility into soil movement may help bridge the gap between regulation and implementation.
As Ontario shifts towards a more circular approach to construction materials, success will depend on stronger participation in tracking systems and the development of practical reuse pathways.
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