THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT. Regional Solid Waste Management Plan - Review Advisory Committee TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 A G E N D A

Transcription

1 THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT Regional Solid Waste Management Plan - Review Advisory Committee TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 A G E N D A Time: 9:30 AM Place: Boardroom 4th Floor 465 Victoria Street Kamloops, BC Page 1 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS 1.a Review of planning process. 2 MINUTES a 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Attachments: 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Minutes DRAFT b 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3 DISCUSSION Attachments: 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee Minutes DRAFT RECOMMENDATION: THAT the minutes of the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public and Technical Advisory Committee Meetings dated February 14, 2017 be adopted. 3.a Targets, Goals and Vision 3.b Community Survey Results Page 1 of 43

2 Agenda Regional Solid Waste Management Plan - Review Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, March 14, c Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Walker Mar 6 Attachments: RSWMRRP Update - Opportunities for Waste Reduction and Diversion Draft 4 NEXT STEPS / WRAP UP 4.a Next Steps in the Planning Process Page 2 of 43

3 THOMPSON - NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Tuesday, February 14, 2017 MINUTES of a Meeting of the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee of the THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT held in the Board Room on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 commencing at 10:00 AM. PRESENT: ABSENT: Ms. S Peters Mr. M. Dalsin Ms. C. Thomas Mr. A.Brown Ms. J. Wilson Mr. J. Philp Mr. B. Rexin Mr. B. Joneson Mr. W. MacLennan Cache Creek Cache Creek Clearwater Kamloops Louis Creek Merritt Vavenby Clearwater Clearwater STAFF: PRESS: OTHERS: Mr. J. Devlin, Director of Environmental Services Ms. C. Black, Corporate Officer/Director of Legislative Services Mr. J. Vieira, Manager of Environmental Health Services Mr. M. Garret, Communications Ms. A. Leite, Recording Secretary None Ms. M. Walker, Maura Walker and Associates Mr. T. Sperling, Sperling Hansen Associates Ms. M. Dalgleish, Sperling Hansen Associates 1 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS At 10:00 am the Director of Environmental Health Services, Jake Devlin, welcomed committee members and thanked them for volunteering to be a part of the Plan review process. Each committee member introduced themselves and their relationship or interest with the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Pu... Page 3 of 43

4 Minutes - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Page 2 of 4 Tuesday, February 14, REPORTS and/or PRESENTATIONS 2.a The Planning Process Maura Walker from Maura Walker and Associates presented an overview of the planning process that will be undertaken during the plan review process and estimated timelines. This will include the following 3 phases: Phase 1 - Review of existing plan (Phase 1 Report), completed end of February 2017 Phase 2 - Drafting new plan, March-June 2017 Phase 3 - Consultation and Plan approval, September Spring b Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee Ms. Walker reviewed the revised Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committees and reporting structure of the committee. The revised Terms of Reference reflect the combining of the Regional Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Plan Review Technical (TAC) and Public (PAC) advisory committees into a single committee, the Review Advisory Committee (RAC). Ms. Walker went on to advise that subsequent meetings will be approximately 3 hours long due to the amount of information to cover, committee members are encouraged to come prepared to the meeting having read the agenda ahead of time allowing for discussion and feedback on the information presented. 2.c Existing Solid Waste Management System (Draft Report) Tony Sperling from Sperling Hansen Associates provided an overview of the TNRD's Existing Solid Waste Management System Stage 1 Draft Report which included the existing Solid Waste Management System Plan objectives and accomplishments. Additionally, Mr. Sperling identified key areas of opportunities for the upcoming review. The Manager of Environmental Health Services provided an update on the status of the TNRD joining the Multi-Material BC (MMBC) program. It is the TNRD's hope to partner with MMBC within the next year. Discussion took place regarding concerns over the volume of Industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) waste and how diversion will occur and be monitored. A committee member questioned how the City of Kamloops relates to the TNRD's Plan review process. The Manager of Environmental Health Services 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Pu... Page 4 of 43

5 Minutes - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Page 3 of 4 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 advised the Committee that the Environmental Management Act mandates regional districts to develop regional plans for the management of municipal solid waste and recyclable materials (MSW), including MSW in municipal areas. The Manager went on to say, although in some cases member municipalities such as the City of Kamloops may operate programs and facilities separately form the TNRD, they are all still working under the umbrella of the regional districts solid waste management plan, therefore City staff or politicians will be represented at all committee levels. 2.d A Guide to Solid Waste Management Planning - Guiding Principles for Solid Waste Management Planning Ms. Walker reviewed the Province's 8 recommended guiding principles for regional districts to follow in developing their solid waste management plans and commented that, although the principles are set out by the Province, provided that there is rationale behind any changes, the Committee can amend where needed. The Committee agreed to accept the Principles with the following amendments: Principal #3 ADD 'to the Region' to the end of the sentence to read: Maximize beneficial use of waste materials and manage residuals appropriately to the Region. The intention of this recommendation is to clarify the scope of the principle. Principal # 7 ADD 'affected' between the words interested and parties to read: Develop collaborative partnerships with interested / affected parties to achieve regional targets set in plans. The intention of this recommendation is to broaden the scope of the principle. A proposed revised set of principles will be brought forward at the next meeting, for review and ratification at that time. 3 NEXT STEPS / WRAP UP 3.a Next Meeting The next meeting will be March 14, 2017 with a proposed time of 9:30 am to be confirmed. Ms. Walker discussed the next steps of the Plan Review process and encouraged committee members to complete the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review Survey and to encourage others in their communities / organizations to do the same. Ms. Walker advised that surveys can be completed 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Pu... Page 5 of 43

6 Minutes - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Public Advisory Committee Page 4 of 4 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 Certified Correct: online on the TNRD website and Facebook page or hardcopies can be picked up and returned to any TNRD member municipality, library or transfer station. The Director of Environmental Services thanked Committee Members for taking the time to be a part of the discussion and adjourned the meeting at 12:08 pm. Chair Corporate Officer 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Pu... Page 6 of 43

7 THOMPSON - NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee Tuesday, February 14, 2017 MINUTES of a Meeting of the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee of the THOMPSON-NICOLA REGIONAL DISTRICT held in the Board Room on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 commencing at 1:30 PM. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mr. E. Salle Mr. M. McCurrach Mr. R. Robertson Ms. A. Bursac Mr. G. Strachan Mr. A. Doyle Mr. D. Finnigan Ms. S. Bird Mr. L. Smith Mr. E. Davis Mr. K. Gervais Mr. C. Salmonson Barriere Rancher CHBA Homex General Grants City of Kamloops Kamloops Village of Lytton City of Merritt City of Merritt Progressive Waste Skeetchestn Indian Band Village of Cache Creek Emterra Environmental STAFF: PRESS: OTHERS: Mr. J. Devlin, Director of Environmental Services Mr. J. Vieira, Manager of Environmental Health Services Mr. M. Garret, Communications Coordinator Ms. A. Leite, Recording Secretary None Ms. M. Walker, Maura Walker and Associates Mr. T. Sperling, Sperling Hansen Associates Ms. M. Dalgleish, Sperling Hansen Associates 1 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS At 1:37 pm the Director of Environmental Health Services, Jake Devlin, welcomed committee members and thanked them for agreeing to be a part of the Plan review process. Each committee member introduced themselves and shared their relationship or interest with the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Te... Page 7 of 43

8 Minutes - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee Page 2 of 3 Tuesday, February 14, REPORTS and/or PRESENTATIONS 2.a The Planning Process Maura Walker from Maura Walker and Associates presented an overview of the planning process that will be undertaken during the plan review process. This will include the following 3 phases: Phase 1 - review of existing plan Phase 2 - drafting new plan Phase 3 - Consultation and Plan approval It is expected that the process will be completed in the spring of b Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee Ms. Walker reviewed the revised Terms of Reference and reporting structure for the Advisory Committee. The revised Terms of Reference propose the combining of the Regional Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Plan Review Technical (TAC) and Public (PAC) advisory committees into a single committee, the Review Advisory Committee (RAC). Ms. Walker continued on to explain the rationale behind the combining of the committees, advising that efficiencies will be created including reducing staff and consulting time, the ability to share knowledge and dialogue creating stronger dialogue between the public and technical committee members and one set of conversations being directed to the Steering Committee level. The Terms of Reference will be brought to the February 15, 2017 Steering Committee meeting for consideration. Mr. Strachan questioned how the TNRD's review process relates to the City of Kamloops. The Manager of Environmental Health Services advised the Committee that the Environmental Management Act mandates regional districts to develop plans for the management of municipal solid waste and recyclable materials. The Manager went on to say, although in some cases member municipalities such as the City of Kamloops may operate separately form the TNRD, they are all still working under the umbrella of the regional districts solid waste management plan, therefore representation from City staff or politicians will be represented at all committee levels. 2.c Existing Solid Waste Management System (Draft Report) Tony Sperling from Sperling Hansen Associates provided an overview of the TNRD's Existing Solid Waste Management System Stage 1 Draft Report which included the existing Solid Waste Management System Plan objectives and accomplishments. Additionally, Mr. Sperling identified key areas of opportunities for the upcoming review Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Te... Page 8 of 43

9 Minutes - Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Technical Advisory Committee Page 3 of 3 Tuesday, February 14, 2017 There was discussion regarding the past plan resulting in an increase to tipping fees and whether this resulted in as increase in illegal dumping. Based on past knowledge, there has not been a noticeable correlation between an increase of illegal dumping reports and an increase to tipping fees. The Committee moved on to discuss the need in the agriculture sector for a service to dispose of slaughter house waste and specifically Specified Risk Material (SRM). Currently ranchers are having to transport SRM out of the Region and in some cases out of province at a significant cost. The Manager of Environmental Health Services provided an update on the status of the TNRD joining the Multi-Material BC (MMBC) program. It is the TNRD's hope to partner with MMBC within the next year. 2.d A Guide to Solid Waste Management Planning - Guiding Principles for Solid Waste Management Planning Maura Walker reviewed the Provincial Principles for Solid Waste Management guidelines. The committee agreed to accept the terms with the following amendment: ADD a guiding principle that includes language regarding educating and informing industry to ensure guidelines and expectations are clearly communicated. The intention of this recommendation is to ensure all stakeholders, not just residential, are included in education and inform programs. 3 NEXT STEPS / WRAP UP Ms. Walker discussed the next steps of the Plan Review process including the Community Survey available to the public until the end of February and the next scheduled Review Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 9:30 am, subject to Steering committee approval. The Director of Environmental Services thanked Committee Members for taking the time to be a part of the discussion and adjourned the meeting at 3:31 pm. Certified Correct: Chair Corporate Officer 2017 Feb 14 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan Review - Te... Page 9 of 43

10 Thompson-Nicola Regional District Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Plan Update Opportunities for Waste Reduction and Diversion Draft for Discussion Prepared by: Maura Walker & Associates In collaboration with Carey McIver & Associates Ltd., Jan Enns Communications, and Date: March 6, 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 10 of 43

11 March 6, 2017 Mr. Jake Devlin Director of Environmental Services Thompson-Nicola Regional District Victoria St Kamloops, BC Canada, V2C 2A9 Dear Jake, Re: TNRD Solid Waste Management Plan Review Waste Reduction and Diversion Opportunities We are pleased to submit our Waste Reduction and Diversion Opportunities report that describes a range of possible approaches to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. The information contained in this report will be presented to the Review Advisory Committee and is intended to generate a dialogue regarding which options to reduce the amount of solid waste disposed should be considered for the TNRD s updated Regional Solid Waste Management Plan. Yours truly, Maura Walker, President Maura Walker and Associates Maura Walker & Associates Ph Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 11 of 43

12 Table of Contents 1 Introduction Provincial Direction for Solid Waste Management in BC Current Diversion System in the TNRD Description System Performance Key Opportunities for Waste Diversion ICI Waste Diversion Opportunities What does the SWMP say about ICI Waste? What is being done now in regards to ICI waste diversion? What other optional are available for ICI waste diversion? Organic Waste Diversion Opportunities Reduction Residential Collection of Organics Participation by the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Sector in Organic Waste Diversion Organic Waste Processing Transfer and Processing Options Demolition, Renovation and Construction (DRC) Waste Diversion Opportunities What is being done now regarding DRC waste diversion? What other options are available for DRC waste diversion? Promotion, Education and Consultation What does the RSWMP say for promotion, education and consultation? What is being done now regarding promotion and education? What other options are available for promotion and education? Waste Reduction and Diversion Potential List of Figures Figure 1-1: Plan Review Process... 4 Figure 2-1: Pollution Prevention Hierarchy... 5 Figure 3-1: Regional District Disposal Rates Figure 3-2: Disposal Rate vs. Tipping Fee in Comparable Regional Districts Figure 3-3: Overall Waste Stream Composition Figure 3-4: Waste Disposal by Source Page ii Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 12 of 43

13 List of Tables Table 2-1: Provincial Guiding Principles... 5 Table 3-1: Overview of Waste Diversion Programs in the TNRD... 7 Table 3-2: Disposal Rates in Comparable Regional Districts Table 3-3. Sources of Landfilled Waste Table 5-1: Sample of BC Organic Waste Curbside Collection Programs Table 8-1: Target Waste Materials Table 8-2: Estimated Diversion Potential Page iii Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 13 of 43

14 1 Introduction The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is currently updating its 2008 Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). This is a revised version of the original plan approved by the province in The process to review the plan is being conducted in three phases as indicated in Figure 1-1. The first phase, which is complete, consisted of the establishment of the Regional SWMP Review Advisory Committee (RAC) as well as an assessment of the current solid waste management system and a status report on the implementation of the 2008 Plan. Phase 1 also included a concurrent communication and consultation program consisting of a community survey and SWMP web page. The second phase entails a review of options to address the region s future waste solid waste management needs and the selection of preferred options. Phase 2 will also include a concurrent communication process as well as establishing a comprehensive community and stakeholder consultation process. The third phase will consist of a community and stakeholder consultation process to obtain input on the selected options. The planning process is currently in the second phase. Figure 1-1: Plan Review Process Phase1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Establish RSWMP Review Advisory Committee Consider options for the future: - Waste Diversion - Residual waste - Policy & Regulations - Financing Obtain community feedback on preferred options Assess existing system Community Survey SWMP Web Page Update information Establish tools for community access and input Finalize plan update This report addresses opportunities to minimize the amount of waste that is sent to landfill in the TNRD through reduction and diversion. The report is structured as follows: Section 2 summarizes provincial direction for solid waste management in BC; Section 3 summarizes the current system for waste reduction and diversion in the TNRD, the effectiveness of this system and key opportunities for improvement; Section 4 identifies opportunities to increase waste diversion in the ICI (industrial, commercial, institutional) sector; Section 5 identifies opportunities to increase organic waste diversion; Section 6 identifies opportunities to increase waste diversion from the demolition, renovation and construction (DRC) sector; Section 7 identifies opportunities to support waste diversion through education and communication activities; and Section 8 summarizes the waste diversion potential associated with the above opportunities. Page 4 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 14 of 43

15 2 Provincial Direction for Solid Waste Management in BC In British Columbia, regional districts develop municipal solid waste management plans (SWMP) under the provincial Environmental Management Act. These plans are long term visions of how each regional district would like to manage its solid wastes in accordance with the pollution prevention hierarchy as illustrated in Figure 2-1. Figure 2-1: Pollution Prevention Hierarchy The new provincial Guide to Solid Waste Management Planning September 2016 (the Guide), not only recommends that plans be developed in accordance with the pollution prevention hierarchy but also that plans be guided by the eight principles which were reviewed and amended by the advisory committees at their first meeting. The resultant guiding principles are outlined in Table 2-1. Table 2-1: Provincial Guiding Principles 1. Promote zero waste approaches and support a circular economy 2. Promote the first 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) 3. Maximize beneficial use of waste materials and manage residuals appropriately to the Region 4. Individuals and firms are enabled to make environmentally sound choices about the generation and management of solid waste through provision of appropriate information, including user-pay and market-based incentives wherever possible. 5. Prevent organics and recyclables from going into the garbage wherever practical 6. Collaborate with other regional districts wherever practical Page 5 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 15 of 43

16 7. Develop collaborative partnerships with interested /affected parties to achieve regional targets set in plans 8. Level the playing field within regions for private and public solid waste management facilities Under the Environmental Management Act municipal solid waste(msw) is defined as waste from residential, commercial, institutional, demolition, land clearing or construction sources. The new Guide establishes provincial MSW management targets to set a direction for regional districts to follow and allow for performance measurement at the provincial level. As of 2013, the Ministry of Environment (the MOE) has set two provincial targets for They are: Lower BC s municipal solid waste disposal rate to 350 kg per person per year Have 75% of BC s population covered by organic waste disposal restrictions. These targets were developed after the ministry reviewed provincial disposal data from 2012 and 2013 to see current state and general trend. Through an analysis of current solid waste management plans in BC and consideration of future targets set in plans, the ministry determined that these provincial targets are achievable. Regional districts may set locally relevant targets, including regional municipal solid waste disposal rates. The above provincial principles and targets are provided to inform the following discussion of current system performance and opportunities for improvement. 3 Current Diversion System in the TNRD 3.1 Description Every regional district in BC has unique characteristics and the TNRD is no exception. As discussed in the Stage 1 Report, although the TNRD covers a large geographic area, 82% of the population resides in urban areas, 13% in rural electoral areas and 5% in First Nation reserves. However, within the urban population, there are only two cities with populations greater than 5,000 people Kamloops with 90,000 residents and Merritt with 7,000 residents. The remaining urban population lives in district municipalities and villages with populations ranging from 2,300 in Clearwater to 250 in Lytton. Given that garbage generation is a function of population, geography and level of economic activity, the TNRD may be described as having two distinct waste sheds: (1) Kamloops with its growing urban population, high level of economic activity and consequently high garbage generation rate, and (2) the rest of the region with a stable rural population, less economic activity and consequently a lower rate of garbage generation. This geographic, population and economic distribution has informed the structure of the MSW management system in the TNRD. Although the TNRD is mandated by the province to develop a solid waste management plan for the entire regional district, plan implementation is primarily the responsibility of the two major system operators, the City of Kamloops and the TNRD for rural areas of the region, with lesser involvement by the smaller municipalities through curbside collection programs. Page 6 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 16 of 43

17 The following Table 3-1 provides an overview of the current waste diversion system operated by the City of Kamloops and the TNRD for residential, Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) and Demolition, Renovation and Construction (DRC) wastes in the regional district. Table 3-1: Overview of Waste Diversion Programs in the TNRD Residential Waste ICI Waste DRC Waste City of Kamloops System Single stream automated curbside collection of recyclables for all single family and 95% of multi-family households Ban on cardboard, newspaper and grass clippings in curbside garbage Yard waste drop-off sites Recyclables accepted at disposal sites City of Kamloops System Private collection services available for the collection of cardboard. The City provides cardboard collection service for roughly 25% of business sector Recyclables accepted at disposal sites No disposal bans on ICI paper and cardboard No disposal bans on yard waste at disposal facilities City of Kamloops System DRC waste accepted at disposal sites Differential tipping fees to encourage source separation of metal, wood and asphalt shingles. No disposal bans TNRD Operated System Single stream blue bag curbside collection recyclables for all single family households in Barriere, Clearwater, Savona, Cherry Creek, Blue River and Avola as well as municipal collection in Merritt, Chase and Logan Lake Blue Bag recyclables and stewardship materials accepted at Full Service Eco- Depots and Residential Sites Yard waste drop-off at all Eco- Depots and most Residential PLUS Sites Disposal ban on cardboard, glass, mixed waste paper, containers, plastic packaging, product stewardship material, scrap metal (currently not enforced) TNRD Operated System Disposal ban on cardboard, glass, mixed waste paper, containers, plastic packaging, product stewardship materials, scrap metal (currently not enforced) TNRD Operated System DRC waste accepted at disposal sites Differential tipping fees to encourage source separation of metal, wood and asphalt shingles. Disposal ban on cardboard and metal not enforced Page 7 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 17 of 43

18 The City of Kamloops and the TNRD also provide education and communication programs as well as support for backyard composting. More detail is provided in the Stage 1 Report. 3.2 System Performance As stated in Section 2, the MOE has established a target to lower the provincial MSW disposal rate to 350 kilogram per person per year by This means that the MOE measures regional district solid waste management system performance in terms of disposal rate and not diversion. This is because measuring waste diversion has been problematic given the variability between regional districts regarding the definition and measurement of diverted materials. In 2013, the MOE developed the BC Waste Disposal Calculator to provide more reliable and consistent data on MSW disposal by regional districts, and to assist in determining the Province s progress toward zero waste. This reporting tool is now available on-line and disposal data has been submitted by regional districts for 2012, 2013, 2014 and Based on disposal data provided in the Stage 1 Report, as well as data reported, in 2015 a total of 79,367 tonnes of MSW was disposed in the TNRD, including TNRD, municipal and private landfills. As per the BC Waste Disposal Calculator methodology, this equates to disposal rate of 596 kilograms per capita. For 2016, 80,520 tonnes of waste was disposed which also equates to a disposal rate of 596 kilograms per capita. This rate differs from that presented in the Stage 1 Report due to the use of different in population estimates. While the Stage 2 Report used the 2011 Census data to calculate a 2016 disposal rate of 640 kilograms per capita, the BC Waste Disposal Calculator uses regional district population estimates prepared by BC Stats on an annual basis. The following Figure 3-1 provides a comparison of regional districts disposal rates for the 2015 reporting period. Page 8 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 18 of 43

19 Figure 3-1: Regional District Disposal Rates 2015 As indicated in Figure 3-1, in 2015 regional district disposal rates ranged from 297 kilograms per capita in the Cowichan Valley Regional District, to 922 kilograms per capita in the Peace River Regional District. The provincial average disposal rate was 498 kilogram per capita. At 596 kilograms per capita, the TNRD sits at roughly 20% above the provincial rate. However, although the data reported in the BC Waste Disposal Calculator is comparable between regional districts, it is more appropriate to compare disposal rates between regional districts with comparable geography, population and level of economic activity. The following Figure 3-2 provides a comparison of disposal rates for regional districts that are comparable to the TNRD with respect to population and level of economic activity. Page 9 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 19 of 43

20 Table 3-2: Disposal Rates in Comparable Regional Districts 2015 As indicated in Table 3-2, at roughly 300 kilograms per capita the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) have disposal rates that are significantly lower than the provincial average of 498 kilograms per capita and the TNRD rate of 596 kilograms per capita. However the TNRD has a disposal rate that is less than the Central Okanagan Regional District at 649 kilograms per capita and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George at 833 kilograms per capita. This variation in disposal rates can be explained by the difference in waste diversion programs implemented in each of these regional districts. Both the CVRD and the RDN have implemented ambitious waste diversion programs that address recycling and organics (food and yard waste) diversion programs for the residential, ICI and DRC sectors that include disposal bans on ICI recyclables and organic waste as well as DRC wood waste. In both regional districts, the motivation to aggressively pursue waste diversion was a lack of local landfill capacity. The regional districts of North Okanagan (RDNO), Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), Comox-Strathcona (CSRD) and Central Okanagan (CORD) have all implemented a full range of residential recycling programs as well as variable disposal rates and/or disposal bans on ICI recyclables and DRC wood wastes. Although some of these regional districts have banned yard waste from disposal and even collect yard waste at the curb, none have yet to implement food waste composting programs like those in the CVRD and RDN. In the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, curbside recycling was only implemented in the City of Prince George in Although the regional district has recycling opportunities at most of their rural Page 10 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 20 of 43

21 eco-depots and transfer stations, most of the diversion potential is in the City of Prince George, a growing urban commercial centre with a population of roughly 70,000. Consequently the 2016 SWMP for the RDFFG identifies a range of waste diversion programs for the ICI and DRC sectors including disposal bans. What is clear from the above review of disposal rates between comparable regional districts is that significant waste diversion is possible. Both the CVRD and RDN were faced with a waste disposal capacity crisis which in turn set the stage for effective waste diversion programs. In particular, as shown in Figure 3-3, the tipping fees in these two regions are higher than in the other regional districts with higher disposal rates. These high tipping fees plus disposal bans have allowed the private sector to invest in local recycling infrastructure that provides an alternative to disposal. Figure 3-2: Disposal Rate vs. Tipping Fee in Comparable Regional Districts 2015 While it is clear that the TNRD solid waste management system is not performing as well as some regional districts, TNRD and the member municipalities have made great progress since the adoption of the 2008 SWMP, particularly with respect to residential recycling and the provision of EPR collection service. The TNRD has also improved the recycling and disposal system in the TNRD-operated rural system. Moving forward the TNRD must address opportunities for waste diversion in the ICI and DRC sectors to achieve reduce its waste disposal rate any further. 3.3 Key Opportunities for Waste Diversion In February 2017 the SWMP Review Advisory Committee (RAC) was presented with key considerations for the 2017 SWMP update. With respect to improving waste diversion and hence reducing waste disposal, the three key considerations were related to improving ICI recycling, improving organics Page 11 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 21 of 43

22 diversion by considering opportunities for food and yard waste composting and improving diversion in the DRC sector by considering opportunities for wood waste recovery. These considerations were informed by reviewing the waste characterization study undertaken by the TNRD in As shown in Figure 3-3, organics, including food waste and yard and garden waste, represents the largest component of waste disposed in the TNRD and hence provides the greatest opportunity for additional diversion. Wood, DLC (demolition, land clearing and construction waste) and metal also represents a significant proportion of the overall waste stream (roughly 34% combined). Although by 2016 the proportion of paper products and packaging would likely be less than 2011, based on waste composition studies completed more recently in similar regional districts, this still represents a significant diversion potential, particularly in the ICI sector. Figure 3-3: Overall Waste Stream Composition 2011 Glass, 2.1% Plastic Products, 3.5% Metals, 4.0% Electronic Waste, 1.8% Hazardous Waste, 1.5% Rubber, 0.8% Organics, 26.3% Residuals, 4.3% Textiles, 4.6% Plastic Packaging, 7.0% Paper Packaging, 7.1% Wood, 17.7% Paper Products, 7.6% DRC, 11.7% Page 12 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 22 of 43

23 Another indicator of potential opportunities for additional waste diversion comes from examining the source of waste being disposed at the landfills. Table 3-3 and Figure 3-4 show that the largest contributors to the waste landfilled come from the residential and ICI sectors. Table 3-3. Sources of Landfilled Waste Source City of Kamloops landfills (t) TNRD landfills (t)* Total landfilled (t) Amount Contributed by Source Residential Curbside 16,101 5,155 21,256 26% Commercial (ICI) 28,291 5,155 33,446 42% DRC 16,130 1,718 17,848 22% Self-Haul 2,813 5,155 7,968 10% Total 63,335 17,184 80, % * Source of waste estimated Figure 3-4: Waste Disposal by Source Self-Haul 10% Residential Curbside 26% Demo/ Reno/ Construction 22% Commerical 42% Using these 2 sources of data (composition and source), plus the review of the existing system (as described in the Stage 1 report), the most significant opportunities to reduce the amount of waste landfilled in the TNRD include: 1. ICI waste: Waste reduction and diversion initiatives have not yet targeted this sector. Given its large contribution to the waste disposed, the amount of recyclable materials still being disposed, and the availability of local collection and recycling companies to service this sector, the ICI sector represents low hanging fruit for waste diversion. Page 13 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 23 of 43

24 2. Organic waste: As the single largest component of the waste disposed and the biggest contributor to the generation of landfill gas (a powerful greenhouse gas), targeting this type of waste also represents a large opportunity to decrease the amount of waste landfilled. Because there are currently limited services and infrastructure to manage this particular waste stream in the TNRD, tackling this waste stream will be more challenging than for ICI recyclables. 3. DRC waste: Much of the demolition, renovation and construction waste received contains materials that are recyclable (cardboard, metal, concrete), usable as an energy source (wood waste) or reusable (windows, doors, beams). These components have established markets and also represent a significant opportunity to reduce the quantity of waste landfilled. 4. Promotion and Education: The key to successful diversion comes through ensuring that waste generators (residents, businesses, institutions, DRC projects) are fully informed and able to engage in desired waste management behaviours. Even well-established programs such as residential recycling need to be back stopped by on-going promotion and education efforts to ensure that these programs are maximized. Hence this report describes options to take advantage of these opportunities in the following sections: Section 4: Opportunities to increase waste diversion in the ICI (industrial, commercial, institutional) sector; Section 5: Opportunities to increase organic waste diversion; Section 6: Opportunities to increase waste diversion from the demolition, renovation and construction (DRC) sector; and Section 7: Opportunities to support waste diversion through education, and communication consultation. Page 14 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 24 of 43

25 4 ICI Waste Diversion Opportunities 4.1 What does the SWMP say about ICI Waste? To encourage businesses to engage in recycling, the current RSWMP includes the introduction of bans on recyclable materials in the garbage (enforced at manned transfer stations and landfills) and an associated promotion and education program targeting businesses. 4.2 What is being done now in regards to ICI waste diversion? Apply differential tipping fees to encourage source separation. Differential tipping fees apply different per tonne charges to the various categories of waste materials delivered to a transfer station or landfill. Differential fees can be used encourage commercial waste generators and haulers to source-separate their waste materials for diversion. The table below is an example of how City of Kamloops Mission Flats Landfill s variable tipping fees can be varied to support waste diversion objectives. Source: 1 Demolition, Land Clearing and Construction Waste (DLC) Unseparated* Tonnes $160 Source Separated DLC Wood Waste Tonnes $100 Gypsum Tonnes $100 Asphalt Roofing Tonnes $100 Crushable Aggregate (concrete, asphalt, etc.) Tonnes $ What other optional are available for ICI waste diversion? a) Implement disposal bans. To encourage source-separation and diversion, many regional districts and municipalities implement disposal bans on recyclable and compostable materials. This is a low-cost policy tool used to signal to waste generators and waste collection companies that they are expected to separate and recycle/compost specific materials for which alternatives are readily available (e.g. cardboard, metal, yard waste). Disposal bans are enforced at the point of disposal (i.e. at transfer stations and landfills) through the application of significant surcharges on garbage found to contain banned materials. To ensure sustained success, disposal bans require the local government to work closely with ICI waste generators and particularly commercial waste haulers in the design, start up and on-going maintenance of this policy. The Regional District of Nanaimo, whose disposal ban on cardboard was implemented in 1992, has a consistent approach whenever they introduce a new disposal ban: 1 Source: Page 15 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 25 of 43

26 I. Regulate (decide to ban a waste stream with a readily available alternative to landfilling) II. III. IV. Collaborate (work with affected stakeholders to determine the timing of implementation and the ramp up of enforcement measures) Educate (make sure all haulers and waste generators are aware of the upcoming new disposal ban, and plan to communicate regularly) Enforce (enforce the disposal ban at the point of disposal). b) Assist private collectors to encourage more/better recycling by the ICI sector. This could be achieved through the development and distribution of consistent signage and messaging for use on collection containers and within the workplace, such as those shown below. Consistency within the region should result in better participation in recycling and lower contamination of the recyclables. Metro Vancouver provides free artwork of what is recyclable/compostable for any hauler, business or building manager to download and print. c) Require recycling collection services at all ICI locations. In addition to disposal bans enforced at the point of disposal, bylaws can also require all businesses to have recycling collection. This service can either be provided by commercial haulers, or businesses can self-haul their recycling to a nearby recycling depot. This approach builds on the City of Kamloops bylaw that requires all multi-family buildings to have a recycling collection service. The Resort Municipality of Whistler requires all businesses and multi-family buildings to have on-site collection of recyclables and food scraps. Page 16 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 26 of 43

27 d) Increase awareness of waste diversion opportunities. Develop a campaign that would increase the awareness of local recycling and composting services and the advantages of utilizing those services. An awareness campaign could also include a recognition program for businesses that actively participate in waste diversion. For example, Boulder, Colorado s Eco-cycle provides window stickers for businesses that have committed to zero waste. e) Mandatory space allocation. One of the most common barriers to establishing recycling in multi-family and ICI buildings is the lack of available space for collection containers. To mitigate this barrier, many municipalities in North America are including mandatory space allocations in their building requirements for both new developments and significant re-developments and renovations. For example, in September 2013, Pitt Meadows council adopted Policy No.C060: Specifications for Garbage, Organics, and Recycling Storage Space in New Multi-Family Residential and Mixed Use Developments. Pitt Meadows based their specifications on a model bylaw developed by Metro Vancouver in consultation with the municipalities and the development community. The model is intended to create consistency within Metro Vancouver on space allocation, as well as reduce the amount of legwork each municipality would have to undertake to prepare their own policy. The City of Kamloops zoning bylaw also requires commercial multi-family developments to provide space for both garbage and recycling. Page 17 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 27 of 43

28 5 Organic Waste Diversion Opportunities Diverting organic waste from landfill disposal has become a significant solid waste management issue in BC. This is because organic waste, comprised primarily of food waste, yard & garden waste, and clean wood waste, not only represents the largest component of landfilled waste (35-40%), but also generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, during decomposition in a landfill. For this reason several regional districts in BC (Regional District of Nanaimo, Capital Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District and Metro Vancouver) have implemented organic waste disposal bans to preserve landfill capacity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create compost for beneficial use in their communities. As a result, 66% of the population of BC lives in regional districts with organics disposal bans. Organic waste diversion is also essential to meeting the new goals set by the BC Ministry of Environment (MOE): to lower the provincial municipal solid waste disposal rate from 570 to 350 kilograms per person annually and to have 75% of the BC s population covered by organic waste disposal bans. To meet these goals the MOE is proposing that regional districts, as part of their solid waste management planning process, adopt as a guiding principle the separation organics and recyclables out of the solid waste stream wherever practical. To take advantage of this significant waste diversion opportunity, TNRD, along with the City of Kamloops, will need to develop an organic waste management strategy that may include some or all of the following elements: Source reduction Residential collection Multi-family participation ICI participation Processing 5.1 Reduction To avoid the costs associated with the collection and processing of organics many communities encourage reduction initiatives such as backyard composting and food waste avoidance programs. TNRD already promotes backyard composting by offering residents backyard composters at a subsidized rate and having compost-related educational materials available on their website. Other potential initiatives include: a) Food waste reduction campaigns Based on research in Europe and North America, residents may be wasting about 25 percent of all the food and drinks that they purchase. Metro Vancouver s Love Food Hate Waste Program aims to change this behavior through educating consumers about meal planning, and careful cooking and storage, so that consumers can enjoy eating over half of the food that they currently end up throwing away. Metro Vancouver has stated publicly that they are willing to share this program with other regional districts. The BC Ministry of Environment also provides the US EPA-developed Food Too Good to Waste toolkit to regional districts at no charge. The TNRD could implement either one of these programs at a relatively low cost. Page 18 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 28 of 43

29 Case Study: Love Food, Hate Waste. In 2007, an organization called WRAP started Love Food Hate Waste (LFHW) which helps UK households tackle food waste. The program is designed to reduce the 7 million tonnes of food waste generated annually (60% which could have been eaten and over half of which is generated by households). LFHW partners with different groups (retailers and brands, local authorities, businesses, community and campaign groups) to develop campaigns and tools for specific audiences to change behaviour to reduce food waste. These campaigns focus on food waste thrown away by households. Strategies focus on why food is thrown away at different stages: planning, buying, storage, preparation and use different communications channels, either directly or through partners, to encourage behaviour change. Following a Love Food Hate Waste campaign in West London, avoidable food waste decreased by 14% in just six months. Additionally, for every 1 invested the municipality estimated that it saved up to 8 in avoided waste management costs (i.e. collection and composting). b) Promote other approaches to self-management of organic waste which can accommodate broader range of organic wastes than backyard composters, e.g. Green Cone Digesters, Bokashi (pictured below). The Victoria Compost Education Centre promotes digesters as a means of on-site management of pet waste. They provide workshops and on-line resources on how to use Digesters. The Powell River Community Compost Centre gives free workshops on using Bokashi as a means of turning food scraps into a soil fertilizer. Green Cone Digester Bokashi Page 19 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 29 of 43

30 c) Enhance education / outreach on self-management of organic waste, e.g.: At home Compost Coaching (see Case Study) Information booths at farmers markets, home shows and other appropriate venues Case Study: Compost Coaching. The former North Shore Recycling Program focuses on waste reduction, recycling and composting for three municipalities on the North Shore. In 2007 they developed a Compost Coaching program to reduce the organics in the collected garbage. Using a Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) approach, in the first year they worked with 156 local residents at their homes to improve their composting through hands on coaching at their residences. Intended to be fun, informal and based on the residents needs, the coach would base the conversation on participants questions, level of knowledge and condition of their compost bin. The minute session would cover basic composting as well as tips for coexisting with bears. This coaching resulted in an additional 36 kg of organic material composted on site per capita for households that were already composting, and 190 kg per capita for households that had not composted before. d) Promote xeriscaping and grasscycling which reduce plant waste and reduce the need for watering e) Provide incentives for people to xeriscape such as rebate programs like those offered for low-flow toilets or home-energy retrofits f) Fruit tree gleaning programs (typically a volunteer-run effort where homeowners allow the volunteers to harvest of excess fruit and vegetables for redistribution to the community, including food banks) g) Link the promotion of on-site management of organic waste with WildSafeBC education initiatives. 5.2 Residential Collection of Organics Once local processing capacity for organic waste is available, local governments can provide organic waste collection services for their residents. For example, the City provides curbside and depot-based collection of yard waste that is processed (composted) at their Cinnamon Ridge composting facility. Residential collection opportunities include: a) Adding food waste to the City of Kamloops s current residential curbside yard waste program (requires that a facility that can compost the food waste is in place). Refer to the Case Study for Port Coquitlam on page 21 as an example of a similar approach). Page 20 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 30 of 43

31 b) Adding organic waste to existing curbside collection services that are within proximity of a composting facility. The targeted organic waste may be yard waste only, food waste only, or combined food and yard waste, depending on the type of composting facility available. c) Establishing drop-off depots for residents without curbside collection when the community is within reasonable transportation distance to a composting facility. d) For multi-family homes, the City of Kamloops could amend its Bylaw to require all property owners of multi-family properties to provide organic waste collection services. The current bylaw, under section 412, requires All property owners of multi-family properties must provide recycling services, at a level of frequency which is equivalent to or exceeds the recycling collection service provided for by the City This service may be obtained either through the City of Kamloops or through contract with a private service provider, at the discretion of the owner. Associated with this bylaw amendment would be offering multi-family buildings an organic waste collection service provided by the City (the same cart-based service provided to single family homes). o A similar bylaw requirement could also be applied to Sun Peaks. Case Study: Port Coquitlam Yard Waste and Food Scraps Collection Program The City of Port Coquitlam provides fully automated waste collection services to over 11,500 residential properties throughout the City. The City provides specially designed 240 litre green waste carts to all properties that receive the service. Organics are collected weekly (May to December) and bi-weekly the rest of the year. Garbage is collected bi-weekly year-round. Port Coquitlam residents currently divert 63% of their household waste away from the landfill (through recycling and organics diversion) saving tens of thousands in disposal fees each year. The combined fee for the organics and garbage service is $ per annum. The organics portion (separate cart for organics) is estimated in the range of $77 to $80 per household per annum. Table 1, on the next page, provides some examples of organic waste curbside collection services in other BC jurisdictions. Residential curbside programs that collect recycling and food waste typically find that 60-65% of the total amount waste set out by homes is diverted (i.e. only one third is garbage). Page 21 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 31 of 43

32 Table 5-1: Sample of BC Organic Waste Curbside Collection Programs District of Squamish 6,500 homes City of Nanaimo 27,000 homes Township of Langley 22,000 homes City of Terrace 3,500 homes Town of Comox 4,450 homes District of North Cowichan 12,000 homes Organic waste streams collected Commingled food and yard waste Frequency of collection Biweekly (Weekly in summer) Collection Container 246L cart for SF homes; 120L cart available to townhouses only Food waste only Weekly 34L green bin (switching to 120L automated carts) Commingled food and yard waste Commingled food and yard waste; plus yard waste only (April to Nov) Commingled food and yard waste Weekly 240L semi-automated cart + yard waste in kraft bags or garbage cans labelled "green can" Organics banned from garbage? Ban will be in place in 2017 Only ICI organics banned from the regional landfill Yes Bags allowed? Paper only Compostable plastic and paper Paper only Weekly 120L fully automated carts Yes Paper only Weekly Residents supply their own cans (max 77L) with a sticker supplied by the Town Yard waste only Paper only Food waste only Weekly 34L green bin Yes Compostable plastic and paper 5.3 Participation by the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Sector in Organic Waste Diversion Typically, organics collection programs for the ICI sector are operated by private hauling companies and are limited to food waste only. Depending on the quantity of food waste, generators use plastic garbage cans to collect food waste from kitchens while private haulers utilize plastic carts and metal bins to collect food waste outside of commercial establishments. Disposal bans on organic waste have driven strong participation in these collection programs in the Regional District of Nanaimo, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Capital Regional District and Metro Vancouver. Opportunities to drive ICI participation in organic waste diversion (once composting capacity is in place) are described below. Page 22 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 32 of 43

33 a) Support private collection through the application and enforcement of a disposal ban on organic waste. Once a local composting facility was established that could receive food waste, the Regional District of Nanaimo, to support their local privately built and operated composting facilities, banned ICI food waste from their landfill in 2005, which served as a key driver for the waste collection industry to provide organic waste collection service to businesses and institutions in the area. b) Establish a collection service for small ICI locations. In areas where residential curbside collection of organics is established, the same service can be offered to small ICI locations such as coffee shops, offices and churches. By allowing ICI locations to participate in a municipal collection services, the costs to have organics collection are likely to be more affordable and therefore encourage more small businesses to participate. c) Amend the City of Kamloops Bylaw to require that ICI generators of organic waste to have an organic waste collection service in place. The Resort Municipality of Whistler has a similar bylaw that requires all multifamily buildings and all commercial establishments to have both recycling and organic waste collection services. 5.4 Organic Waste Processing Options to divert organic waste (yard waste and food scraps) from the residential and ICI sectors are described above. The approaches, however, can only be accomplished if there is the capacity to process the collected materials. Decisions regarding the collection of organics from the residential and ICI sectors will impact the type and design capacity of any associated processing facility(ies), and vice versa. There are typically seven types of composting systems that utilize active aeration: aerated static pile, enclosed aerated static pile (tunnel), static containers, agitated containers, channel, agitated bed and rotating drum. There are many subtle variations in the design of composting systems, and system designers and vendors use these variations to provide a balance between processing control and capital costs (generally, the more control you want to have over processing, the greater the cost). The selection of processing technology will be largely affected by: Anticipated feedstocks; Amount and location of available land; Surrounding and uses available buffers; Budget; and Anticipated end markets for the compost product. Page 23 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 33 of 43

34 5.4.1 Transfer and Processing Options a) Establish a composting facility in the City of Kamloops that can manage food waste: Because of the potential for odours associated with food waste and the need to achieve composting temperatures that will kill pathogens, food waste composting facilities tend to be higher tech than yard waste composting facilities. Mid-scale composting facilities for food waste typically operate at a cost of $120 - $180 per tonne, compared to yard waste composting facilities that tend to operate at a cost of $30 - $60 per tonne. o To improve the economy of scale, consider the cost benefits of developing a composting facility that can also handle biosolids o Assess opportunities for internal use of the end product (parks, roadways, landscaping, final cover at landfill, etc.) as well as the capacity of external markets (soil blenders, home gardeners) when developing operating cost estimates b) Consider establishing organic waste transfer at existing solid waste management facilities for communities that currently (or in the future) send their garbage to Kamloops for disposal. This was done by the Regional District of Nanaimo in response to the development of a composting facility. They redesigned their transfer station to accommodate delivery of food waste from municipal and commercial waste collection vehicles. In other areas (e.g. Cowichan Valley Regional District, District of Squamish and the Resort Municipality of Whistler), transfer stations and recycling depots have collection bins for drop-off of food waste by residents and small businesses. c) For other areas, assess the potential for establishing local composting facilities for yard waste, or commingled food and yard waste. Associated with this would be to undertake a needs assessment on a community by community basis. It is common for municipalities to collect yard waste and then static pile compost the material in their municipal works yard or park facilities (e.g. City of Terrace). In recent years, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has set up a small windrow composting facility (low tech) at their Grand Forks landfill for food waste and yard waste. Community composting sites are also used as small scale options for food waste diversion. In the City of Powell River, the local composting demonstration garden (pictured right) receives food scraps from residents and small businesses for composting in one of their many demonstration compost bins. The garden is also used to provide free workshops on the many options for home management of organic waste. Page 24 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 34 of 43

35 6 Demolition, Renovation and Construction (DRC) Waste Diversion Opportunities DRC waste is typically 15-25% of landfilled waste, often varying with the amount of economic activity in any given year. The TNRD defines DRC waste as any waste materials that was part of, or designed to be part of a house or building. Much of this waste is recyclable or could be used as a fuel, including cardboard, metal and wood, and therefore this waste stream can represent a significant waste diversion opportunity. 6.1 What is being done now regarding DRC waste diversion? Currently, TNRD operated waste management facilities use their tipping fee structure to encourage generators of construction and demolition waste to source separate the following materials for recycling or energy recovery: Structural wood (chipped and used as a fuel resource) Asphalt shingles (recycled) Metal (recycled) Cardboard Storage areas for these source-separated materials are available at TNRD s full scale Eco Depots. The City of Kamloops also use their tipping fee structure to encourage generators of construction and demolition waste to source separate asphalt shingles, metal and cardboard. One of the actions in the 2008 Solid Waste Management Plan that was not completed was a ban on the disposal of recyclable/recoverable (for energy) DRC waste as garbage. Although TNRD s Solid Waste Bylaw was updated in 2014 to ban the disposal of cardboard and scrap metal, this ban is not currently enforced. The City of Kamloops does not have disposal bans Outside the purview local government, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Kamloops receives new and used building materials donated by homeowners, contractors, retailers and manufacturers, and sells them to the public at low prices to fund building homes for local families in need. 6.2 What other options are available for DRC waste diversion? The following options could further reduce the amount of DRC waste disposed of in landfills. 1. Minimize wood waste in the landfill. Because wood waste in landfill contributes to leachate and gas generation and consumes landfill space, TNRD and City of Kamloops landfills should continue to pursue alternate uses for this material including using wood waste as a fuel source and as compost amendment. 2. Expand disposal bans to include clean wood waste and asphalt shingles, and implement enforcement procedures. Consult with local construction associations and waste haulers to develop a workable implementation timeframe and enforcement procedures. Page 25 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 35 of 43

36 3. Enact and enforce similar bylaw requirements for all City of Kamloops landfills (where the majority of DRC waste is currently landfilled). 4. Require waste management plans for large construction, demolition and renovation projects. These plans would require contractors to pre-plan for how they will manage the wastes generated at the project site, and may require that specific materials are reused or recycled as a condition of building/demolition permits. Contractors must prepare a waste management plan and track materials throughout the project. An example of this approach is Port Moody, as described in the case study below. Case Study: Port Moody mandatory solid waste management plans Port Moody Waste Management Bylaw No.2822 regulates the amount of waste generated by new construction or demolition of structures sent to the landfill. A waste management plan is required for every building permit application. In addition to submitting a waste management plan in order to get a permit, contractors must pay a fee, like a deposit, that is refunded once the contractor has demonstrated that they implemented their plan. A Compliance Report must be submitted to the Building Official with attached receipts from recycling facilities and landfills indicating the amounts of each material recycled and disposed of. The following types of projects are exempt: Small renovations to Single Family Dwellings. Buildings under 50 square meters in area. Additions under 20 square meters in area. Buildings certified to LEED standard This bylaw was the basis for a model bylaw developed by Metro Vancouver that was subsequently adopted by other member municipalities. 5. Restructure permit fees to encourage house moving (reuse of full structure) and building deconstruction (to maximize the recovery of reusable and recyclable components) over demolition. This may also require a review of current building and development permit requirements to address any barriers to the reuse of houses and building deconstruction. 6. Establish DRC Recycling Facility at the City of Kamloops s DRC Waste Landfill. A facility to mechanically and manually sort mixed loads of DRC waste could be established at the Kamloops Resource Recovery Centre, the City s only dedicated landfill for DRC waste. The City has plans to divert all DRC waste generated within the City to the KRRC site which will be transformed over time into DRC materials recovery facility (MRF) where DRC waste can be sorted stockpiled and processed for recycling reuse. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has a recovery and recycling operation in place at their DRC landfill in Okanagan Falls; see the case study below for additional information. Page 26 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 36 of 43

37 Case Study: Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen DRC Waste Recovery and Recycling: In the RDOS, they use tipping fees to encourage all loads of mixed DRC waste to be delivered to their DRC landfill in Okanagan Falls. All mixed loads must clear a hazardous materials assessment to be accepted. This ensures that the workers are safe. Assessed mixed loads are charged $200 per tonne. Unassessed loads, which must be landfilled directly, are charge $500 per tonne. (Unassessed loads showing up at other RDOS landfills are charged $700 per tonne.) The cleared loads are stored on site for subsequent sorting into recyclable and recoverable components (wood waste used as a fuel source). The sorting of the materials is contracted out. RDOS estimates that 50% or more of the materials are diverted to recycling and 20% are set aside to be used for cover material, with the remaining 30% landfilled onsite. Additionally, a social service organization works on the site to recover reusable materials from loads of DRC waste and uses the materials to manufacture salable goods (sheds, composters, etc.), although the amount managed in this manner is less than 1% of the material received at the site. 7. Set the tone for private sector DRC waste recycling capacity to be developed, which could include: Supporting policies (disposal restrictions, tipping fees, a bylaw requiring all DRC waste to go to a processor prior to disposal as residue) Provision of a put or pay contract (guaranteed provision of a certain amount of DRC waste to be delivered to the private processor) Collection (e.g. at major landfills and transfer sites) Establish waste stream management licensing to protect private sector investment 8. Provide a DRC waste management information, including information on recycling and reuse options, as well tipping fees and disposal bans, to all persons applying for a building permit. This same information could also be posted on the regional district and municipal websites and hard copies could be available at building material suppliers and hardware stores. Page 27 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 37 of 43

38 7 Promotion, Education and Consultation The success of waste management programs and policies requires that people know and understand why and how to effectively participate. Promotion and education, therefore, are critical to all components of the solid waste management system, including those focused on waste reduction and diversion. In addition, introducing new services or changes to existing ones may also require a level of community consultation to ensure a smooth implementation. These three facets of solid waste communications can be described as follows: Promotion or outreach information intended to inform the target audiences about waste reduction in general. For example, where to buy EcoCards, waste collection days or transfer station hours. Education information, similar to promotion, with a more specific purpose such as a desired long-term behaviour change component. For example, increasing backyard composting, reducing the amount of contaminants in blue bag and reducing food wastage. Specific communication and consultation activities and campaigns linked to the launch of a new program or service. For example, the TNRD has undertaken community consultation when replacing older landfills with Eco Depots and soliciting feedback from residents on transfer station hours. Consultation is specific, purpose-driven with goals that can include informing to soliciting feedback that will better inform the development and implementation of a specific initiative. While these three areas may overlap, each of these are integral to the maintenance of existing solid waste programs as well as the launch of new ones. As much of the intended changes in the solid waste plan require an increase in awareness, participation and ultimately behaviour changes, promotion, education and consultation are key drivers for success. 7.1 What does the RSWMP say for promotion, education and consultation? There are several specific actions identified in the current RSWMP. Guiding Principles: Commit to Education and social marketing [behaviour change] programs. Adoption of a Zero Waste philosophy. Implement criteria for new programs to ensure any program that is implemented will be technically sound, economical feasible and acceptable to the public. Policies: Policies recognize / identify the need for education and awareness to accompany implementation of new programs, such as disposal bans Phase 1 (Short Term) Recommended Programs included: Support the numerous initiatives in the current solid waste plan by establishing a Waste Reduction and Education Function in TNRD. Page 28 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 38 of 43

39 Develop educational activities that focus on promoting reuse, composting education and composter sales, schools, smart shopper and business waste reduction education programs and community clean up (illegal dumping) programs Provide ongoing print materials including a bi-annual newsletter, paid advertising, brochures and recycling directory Increase waste reduction presence with displays at community events. Increase in providing online access to information via the website including a reuse and recycling directory. 7.2 What is being done now regarding promotion and education? The TNRD established a full-time position for waste reduction education at the outset of their current plan. This position was critical in supporting a range of programs, including the promotion and education regarding the new EcoCard programs, development, advertising and promotion of waste reduction materials, for residents, schools and businesses and attending community events. Also included was the intensive promotion, education and consultation required to implement the key projects in the current plan including expanding the transition of landfills to transfer stations and the introduction of attended transfer stations. However, over time, these waste reduction activities were scaled back to accommodate additional waste system administration duties that were assigned to the individual hired to undertake waste reduction. As a result, Waste Reduction represents only 10% of the job, curtailing the ability of staff to deliver the waste reduction education programs in the current plan. Current resources to deliver these programs include the 10% FTE supported by the Communications Coordinator for updating the website and posting to social media as well as providing information for the WildSafe (formerly Bear Aware) summer student coordinator and the Invasive Plant and Mosquito contractors to share at their events and outreach activities. The TNRD also works collaboratively with the City of Kamloops staff to coordinate and leverage resources for some joint activities such as composter sales and household hazardous waste events. Despite the reduced capacity of staff to undertake direct education activities, TNRD does have waste reduction information available and undertakes a variety of promotion and education initiatives, primarily in response to requests. These include: o waste management information on their website, including a comprehensive online Recycling and Disposal Directory that offers detailed information on hours, tip fees and payment choices, composting and illegal dumping, as well as recycling and disposal options across the region. The website also hosts an online plug-in that residents can sign up for to provide push notifications for waste collection events. In February, there were 602 users and more than 10,000 interactions. o waste reduction activities are promoted using news releases hosted on the website home page and on the TNRD s Facebook and Twitter pages o hard copies of the Recycling and Disposal Directory are provided at all TNRD sites, member municipalities, participating First Nations and TNRD libraries. o Posters for specific events, such as a composting workshop are also posted on the TNRD Facebook page, printed and posted locally and at Eco-Card retailers where appropriate o Reuse Guide (underway) Page 29 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 39 of 43

40 o Regularly scheduled interview-style advertising on the radio, as well as advertising in the local newspapers and responds to media requests o Participate in community events by request only and based on availability of staff (down to six in 2016) o An illegal dumping, Community Clean Up advertising campaign in 2014 o Backyard composting workshops and include worm composting education o Promotes annual Household Hazardous Waste collection events, collaborating with the City of Kamloops o Developed a school curriculum in 2010 yet unable to promote and deliver o Limited waste reduction education-focused events such as holiday disposal guide o Supports the promotion, education and necessary consultation for the operations of the Eco-Depots, Residential Services Sites and the Eco-Card program. All of the municipalities provide information to residents and businesses regarding their waste management services as applicable. 7.3 What other options are available for promotion and education? In addition to the waste reduction education activities already underway in the TNRD and its member municipalities, the following offers some strategic options for consideration. 1. Increase promotion and education programming for the residential sector, including staffing to support these programs. Residential waste accounts for almost 30% of the waste in TNRD landfills. This represents a significant opportunity to expand waste reduction promotion and education to increase participation and reduce contamination. This would include education programs to support recommended diversion strategies such as increasing backyard composting by hosting workshops and continuing to see backyard composters and / or outreach to the commercial sector to engage with haulers, contractors and businesses. To do this, as well as the key strategic options described below would require resources to develop and implement promotion and education activities that are not currently available. At a minimum, one full-time position is recommended to maintain, implement and monitor waste related promotion and education programming. 2. Leverage collaboration and coordination with member municipalities and First Nations. Working collaboratively with other key stakeholders provides the opportunity to benefit from economies of scale and better leveraging of public dollars. It can support municipalities and First Nations without dedicated solid waste or communications staff, and provide a more consistent message and brand identity for use by all parties. Increasing this collaboration can also help with communication and program delivery by taking advantage the closer relationships that may be had at the local level between municipalities/first Nations and their constituents. 3. Annually develop a planning calendar to identify the promotion, education and any necessary consultation for waste management initiatives. The planning calendar would be used to identify key initiatives and promotional opportunities and proactively plan for implementation of waste Page 30 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 40 of 43

41 reductions initiatives. It would align the local promotions to province-wide campaigns, such as Waste Reduction Month. It would identify opportunities for shared messaging with member municipalities, particularly in shared media markets. It would also identify opportunities for crosspromotion, coordination and / or collaboration with interested member municipalities and First Nations. This could include timing of common initiatives such as advertising and promotion of disposal bans, composter sales and workshops, household hazardous waste events, business initiatives, school programs or sharing relevant waste reduction information and materials. For example, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District uses a planning calendar to map their major initiatives, as well as the tasks that need to be completed, as well as works with interested member municipalities and local First Nations in the development of the calendar. 4. Develop communication plans to optimize resources. Developing simple communication plans for major new initiatives will ensure best use of resources, coordination of implementation and improve opportunities to identify and manage issues. A simple planning template can be used to identify purpose, objectives, audience, message, tactics for delivery such as increasing the social media presence, use of video and leveraging media coverage. The plan can also be used to identify what tools can be applied to influence behaviour change. It can also be used to further identify the necessary resources to implement specific campaigns and opportunities for cross -promotion, collaboration and consistent messaging with member municipalities such as the City of Kamloops and their WildSafe and EcoSmart teams. 5. Maximize the use of electronic notification apps such as the MyWaste app or plug-in on the TNRD website, to send waste management related information directly to residents via or text. The MyWaste app has proven its effectiveness in reaching individual residents with important and relevant waste management information on their waste management services. These type of apps, such as MyWaste or Recollect, provide information such as waste and recycling collection reminders, advisories on service delays (due to weather, traffic delays, etc.), transfer station hours, and event information directly to an individual s smart phone or tablet. Maximizing the promotion of the plug-in (access via the TNRD website as is currently done) and /or a specific branded app will help to achieve the goal to ensure residents and businesses have greater access to relevant information at their finger tips. According to a recent report by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), two thirds of Canadians own a smartphone and almost half own a tablet computer. And access to cellular coverage and higher speed internet is also growing. Page 31 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 41 of 43

42 Case Study: RDCO My Waste App: Currently the Regional District of Central Okanagan boasts 8,202 users who receive relevant information pushed directly to their mobile device or . This includes reminders for ongoing services like waste, recycling and yard waste collection weeks as well as special events such as composter sale, repair cafes and trunk (reuse) sale. It is also used to report illegal dumping. In the past month, there were 26,000 interactions via the app including approximately 4,000 website page visits. 6. Apply community based social marketing as a method to develop new and / or build on existing waste reduction and diversion programs and campaigns. Community-based social marketing (CBSM) is an approach to program promotion and education that encourages high rates of effective participation and long-term behavior change. The community-based social marketing process centres on uncovering barriers that inhibit individuals from engaging in sustainable behaviours, identifying tools that have been effective in fostering and maintaining behaviour change, then piloting takes place on a small portion of the community followed by ongoing evaluation once the program has been implemented community-wide. Therefore, as new behaviours are identified as desirable to achieve waste reduction objectives, CBSM should be employed and should include: o Identification of existing barriers to desired behaviours o Research on successful approaches in other jurisdictions o Undertake pilot projects to confirm that a selected approach will be effective in the TNRD o Monitor and measure to confirm that objectives are being met. This approach can be applied to campaigns for general waste reduction education including increasing recycling rates and reducing illegal dumping, to help achieve longer-term behaviour changes. 7. Establish a Zero Waste Education Program for Schools. This would include being proactive in providing waste reduction information for teachers, information about ongoing initiatives in the community and awareness of waste management practices. It would include actively promoting the availability of the materials, delivering presentations and support for teachers and school administration. Targeting students can influence longer-term effectiveness as students bring home new ideas and practices that can impact others in the household. For example, Regional District s such as the Fraser Fort George Regional District, Regional District of Nanaimo and the Powell River Regional District contract with individuals or non-profit organizations to provide teachers with curriculum-based materials and to deliver classroom presentations on zero waste, recycling, composting, hazardous wastes and more. Page 32 March 2017 Reduction and Diversion Options (part 1) Report by: Maura Wa... Page 42 of 43