MEMORANDUM. Waste Management Services 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T Toll-free: WMPSC-C

Transcription

1 Waste Management Services 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T Toll-free: MEMORANDUM Subject: Ontario s Food and Organic Waste Framework: Action Plan and Policy Statement Date: Monday, To: Waste Management Planning Steering Committee From: Alison Powell, Program Manager, Policy, Planning & Engagement This memorandum is intended to provide Committee members with an update on the province s Food and Organics Waste Framework, for which the province has released the Food and Organic Waste Action Plan and Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement. Background In February, 2017, the province released its Strategy for a Waste-Free Ontario: Building the Circular Economy, supporting the Waste Free Ontario Act, for which an update memo was previously provided (WMPSC-C ). This strategy identified the need to develop a provincial action plan to address food and organic waste from residential and industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) sectors. On May 31, 2017, in an effort to engage the public and stakeholders and to solicit feedback for the framework, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP), formerly known as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), released the Discussion Paper: Addressing Food and Organic Waste in Ontario, for which Niagara Region provided comment, as previously reported in WMPSC-C On November 16, 2017, the Province posted the Proposed Food and Organic Waste Framework on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) registry for a 60 day public review and comment period, which ended January 15, The Framework generally aligned with Niagara Region s position and comments submitted for the Discussion Paper: Addressing Food and Organic Waste in Ontario, as mentioned above. The comments are documented in PW and include input from Public Works, and Public Health and Emergency Services Departments. Update On April 30, 2018, the MOECP released the Food and Organic Waste Framework, which is comprised of two complementary components: Part A: Food and Organic Waste Action Plan; and Part B: Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement. The Action Plan and Policy Statement can be found in Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively.

2 Page 2 The Policy Statement was issued by the MOECP, pursuant to Section 11 of the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, and came into effect on April 30, The Action Plan outlines strategic commitments to be taken by the province to address food and organic waste. The Policy Statement, under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, provides direction to the MOECP, municipalities, the industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) sector, owners and operators of resource recovery systems and others to further the provincial interest in waste reduction and resource recovery as it relates to food and organic waste. The Policy Statement may be complemented by other future policy statements, as well as municipal and private sector policies that contribute to waste reduction and resource recovery of food and organic waste. Niagara Region Comments on Framework The Action Plan and Policy Statement were reviewed to assess how comments submitted by Niagara Region to the EBR for the proposed Framework were addressed. Of the 21 comments submitted, eight (8) were fully or partially addressed in the Framework. Although thirteen (13) comments were not addressed in the Framework, they may be more appropriately dealt with in future provincial regulations which lay out detailed implementation requirements and alternatively, there is opportunity for the comments to be included in future policy statements, plans and guidelines on waste reduction and resource recovery. A summary of Niagara Region s comments and their status in the Framework can be found in Appendix C. Financial Considerations As reported in PW , at minimum, municipalities are responsible for the following actions included in the Framework: Action 1 Province to work with partners to develop promotion and education (P&E) materials to support food waste prevention and reduction (short-term, ). At present, Niagara Region P&E material for food and organics collection focuses on acceptable items and correct use of the Green Bin. Niagara Region is also participating in the Ontario Food Collaborative (OFC). One of the objectives of the OFC is to develop consistent programming and food waste reduction messaging that can be used province-wide, but can be tailored to each individual municipality. P&E material focusing on food waste prevention and reduction would need to be developed, distributed and promoted. New P&E material, subsequent campaigns, promotion and

3 Page 3 outreach could leverage existing communication mediums e.g. GreenScene or Public Health and Emergency Services food-related programs in order to minimize new costs. Action 9 Province to ban food and organic waste from ending up in disposal sites (phased-in beginning 2022). The financial implications of a ban include: Increased tonnages of food and organic waste collected at the curb from improved capture rates; resulting in increased processing contract costs, unless the tonnages are offset by food waste avoidance and other reduction initiatives. Increased number of IC&I, mixed-use and multi-residential properties utilizing the Region s existing organics collection program, resulting in increased tonnages. Extended site life for open Regional landfills; and more revenue generating capacity from the reduction of organics being landfilled by residents participating in the curbside collection program and drop-off depots. Reduced methane emissions due to the reduction of organics being landfilled will result in less leachate generated, thereby reducing costs associated with care and control of these landfill sites. Analysis 1. Sector-specific Targets The Policy Statement identifies sector-specific targets for waste reduction and resource recovery. target, which applies to Niagara Region, is set at 70 per cent waste reduction and resource recovery of food and organic waste generated by low density residential dwellings, (referred to as single-family in the Framework) by Currently, Niagara Region provides curbside food and organics collection service to low density residential properties and the program participation rate is estimated to be 50 per cent. Although the calculation for this reduction recovery rate will include measurement of actual tonnages and diversion credits for P&E material to represent residential food waste reduction, the detailed formula has not been made available. While there is room for improvement in Niagara s Green Bin/Cart program participation, a substantial increase to these tonnages may not be needed to help achieve the target if a food waste prevention program or other waste reduction and resource recovery activities are successful. The Framework requires the target to be achieved through waste reduction and resource recovery activities, relating to one or more of the following: The prevention or reduction of food and organic waste at the source. The safe rescue and redirection of surplus food before it become waste. The recovery of food and organic waste to develop end-products for a beneficial use.

4 Page 4 The Framework requires municipalities, multi-residential properties, and the IC&I sector to achieve their target through waste reduction and resource recovery efforts with respect to food waste and organic waste, including organic waste resulting from food preparation, and soiled paper. Also, municipalities are to further their waste reduction and resource recovery efforts with respect to leaf and yard waste, seasonal outdoor wastes, flowers, and houseplants. Niagara Region meets this requirement as year-round curbside collection of food and organic waste, including soiled paper, flowers, houseplants, and leaf and yard waste from low density residential properties is provided. Niagara Region also has dedicated branch collection twice per year. Christmas trees are collected one week per year on residents collection day. The Framework encourages municipalities to engage in additional waste reduction and resource recovery efforts to achieve their target, with respect to the following types of waste: Personal hygiene wastes Sanitary products Shredded paper Additional fibre products Compostable products and packaging Pet food and waste Niagara Region collects pet food and waste in the Green Bin/Cart program. Also, additional fibre products such as toilet paper and paper towel cores, soiled pizza boxes, paper drink trays, paper take-out containers, paper plates and napkins, paper towels, tissue, and egg cartons are collected in the Green Bin/Cart, although shredded paper is collected in the fibre Grey Box recycling stream. Personal hygiene waste, sanitary products and certain compostable packaging are currently not compatible with our composting technology, and will not breakdown in a typical municipal composting facility. The Framework also specifies targets for multi-residential and IC&I properties. It is the responsibility of the owner to set-up collection, if the property is not already serviced by Niagara Region. 2. Tonnages of Food and Organic Waste Action item 9 of the Framework details the food and organic waste disposal ban, to be phased-in beginning in A disposal ban on food and organic waste is expected to result in increased tonnages of food and organic waste collected at the curb and an associated increase in processing contract costs. However, the disposal ban is also

5 Page 5 expected to drive food waste prevention and other waste reduction initiatives which should offset increased processing costs. As an upper end estimate to accommodate an organics ban from landfill and to potentially reach the 70 per cent target by 2023 (subject to the parameters in the actual formula, which have not yet been released), the Region would require an additional 13 to 15 per cent capacity at Walker Environmental. Discussions with Walker Environmental to increase Gore capacity as one potential option are being initiated, as it will take time to add additional Gore cells in the event this is the best cost benefit solution and is the approved direction. Other opportunities and technologies for diverting food and organic waste are being investigated as part of the review of alternative waste management technologies and the Municipal Mixed Waste Processing Working Group (see WMPSC-C ). 3. Niagara Region Alignment with Policy Statements of the Framework The Region s current waste management programs largely align with the Policy Statements. Appendix D outlines the policy statements of the Framework which impact Niagara Region and how current or planned Regional initiatives align. The two (2) Policy Statement not yet aligning with the Region s programs relate to the Framework s Ontario Food Recovery Hierarchy, which prioritizes the highest and best use of food resources in Ontario. These Policy Statements could be met with future P&E material development or by leveraging new and existing Public Health and Emergency Services food-related programs. Certain Policy Statements require Waste Management Services to collaborate with other Regional departments. For example, the Framework requires municipalities and other planning authorities to ensure that official plans are consistent with the Policy Statement. Niagara Region is embarking on the development of a new Regional Official Plan, which must be consistent with the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement. The requirement for official plans to be consistent with the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement is established in both the Planning Act and the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, The Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement is intended to complement the Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 and provincial land use plans, such as the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2017 and the Greenbelt Plan, On May 24, 2018 Regional Council endorsed report PDS , which provides an overview of the climate change work program for the new Regional Official Plan. An important component of the work program is establishing an internal climate change working group with representation from affected Regional departments and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. The working group will provide technical advice to address climate change requirements in the new Official Plan, including consistency with the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement.

6 Page 6 Niagara Region s Position and Next Steps It is recommended that Niagara Region continue to support the implementation of the Action Plan and Policy Statement as an important step in reducing food and organic waste generated in our community. Staff will monitor the progress on this Framework. Niagara Region will continue to collect and expand curbside food and organics collection service to low density residential properties, as well as multi-residential, mixed-use and IC&I properties using Green Bins/Carts. Staff will support Planning and Development Services in the development of Niagara Region s Official Plan by having a Waste Management staff member participate in the internal climate change working group. Staff from Waste Management and Public Health and Emergency Services will work collaboratively to investigate connections between Public Health and Emergency services programming and food waste reduction messaging. Respectfully submitted and signed by Alison Powell Program Manager, Policy, Planning & Engagement Waste Management Services