Waste diversion refers to redirecting materials away from landfills through recycling, composting, reuse, and other recovery methods. Diversion rates measure what percentage of total waste is diverted rather than landfilled. Municipal diversion programs typically include curbside recycling (paper, plastics, metals, glass), organics collection (food scraps, yard waste), and special programs for electronics, household hazardous waste, and bulky items. Diversion reduces landfill use, conserves resources, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organic waste. Provincial regulations increasingly mandate diversion targets and extended producer responsibility programs. Effective diversion requires resident participation, proper sorting, and viable markets for recovered materials. Contamination—wrong materials in recycling streams—reduces diversion effectiveness and can render loads unrecyclable.