The City of Edmonton was concernced with its rapidly depleting landfill capacity.  The city's response was a set of long-term strategies aimed at reducing use, recycling, and resource recovery.  These strategies led to the creation of the Edmonton Integrated Waste Management System.  The System encompasses pre-collection, post-disposal initiatives, and even the creation of the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence which conducts waste management research, technology development, and practitioner training.  

The system has reduced greenhouse gasses by an amount equivalent to removing about 50,000 mid-size cars from roads.  It has increased landfill diversion from 15% to 90% by 2015, and 4,000 homes are powered by the methane produced at one landfill.  

This case study was nominated for ICMA's Annual Awards Program.