From waste to sustainable development: Evaluating Canada’s waste management policies and Sustainable Development Goals progress

Abstract

This review article assesses the crucial role of waste management in Canada’s pursuit of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 6, 11, 12 and 13. By applying a structured literature review informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, this study systematically identified the key waste management strategies and their alignment with the concerning targets of the SDGs. The study includes insights from academic publications, government reports and national performance data. The study’s findings highlight both policy achievements and ongoing challenges, including regional disparities, low recycling rates and inadequate electronic waste management. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for uniform national strategies, stakeholder engagement and data-driven performance targets. This study contributes to the understanding of policy gaps and provides policy and research directions for advancing sustainability.