From Rubbish to Resource for South Peace. South Peace Regional Solid Waste and Recycling Master Plan

Transcription

1 From Rubbish to Resource for South Peace South Peace Regional Solid Waste and Recycling Master Plan December 2011

2 i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Scope of work On behalf of City of Grande Prairie (and Aquatera Utilities Inc as technical representative to the City of Grande Prairie), the County of Grande Prairie No. 1, and the West County Regional Waste Authority (herein known as the South Peace Region), Consulting Canada Limited () has carried out a program of works to assist in planning for the future development of waste and recycling services in the region. Key objectives of this Masterplan document are to: set out a strategic framework for implementing the preferred waste management approach for South Peace; and, to provide a headline summary of all work undertaken in Phases A (Optioneering Phase) and B (Service Review Phase) of the South Peace Regional Waste Study. This Masterplan report is intended as a full and accessible account of the program of works undertaken for the South Peace Region, providing a clear roadmap for the future of waste management services in the region to This includes, wherever possible, consideration of the broader South Peace Region. Findings of this Masterplan are set out according to the following structure: Future forecasting - details of baseline waste arisings in South Peace, together with a review of legislation impacting on waste management in the Masterplan area (section 2); Service Review - a review of existing waste management services, providing a context for the recommendations which this study puts forward (section 3); Options Review - a projection of future waste arisings in the South Peace Region, and an assessment of potential future waste management options, including possible diversion targets and treatment options (section 4); and Implementation Plan - an overview of the program of implementation required to realise the preferred waste management option (section 5). How much Municipal Waste is in Grande Prairie in 2010? Figure ES1 presents an estimate of the current solid municipal waste arisings in the South Peace Region, based on a detailed current waste system analysis. The data suggests that: Nearly 109kt (actual 108,830t) of MSW was produced in the South Peace Region in 2010; Almost a quarter (actual - 23%) of residual MSW was from residential sources; Three quarters (actual - 77%) of residual MSW produced in the South Peace Region was from non-residential sources (Industrial, commercial, institutional and construction and demolition); It is estimated that 14% (actual -14.7kt) of MSW was recycled or composted, with the remaining (actual kt) sent to landfill; The above estimates equate to approximately 1,149 kg per person of MSW sent to landfill (with a further 179kg per person recycled) in 2010.

3 Solid Waste and Recycling Masterplan ii December 2011 Figure ES1 Estimated Grande Prairie Municipal Waste Arisings in 2010 Legislative Drivers to consider Alberta s Environmental Ministry (Alberta Environment) set a target within their Waste Strategy to reduce the amount of municipal solid waste going to landfill to 500kg per person by This represents the principal legislative driver for South Peace to consider in developing this Masterplan. Although this date has now passed, this target should still be considered a viable aspiration for South Peace to work towards if Alberta s vision of ultimately achieving a Zero Waste Society is to be reached. Alberta s Waste Strategy Too Good to Waste sets out a clear aspiration to move up the waste management hierarchy. In particular, the strategy states the desire to achieve 80% recycling and recovery, with waste disposal reduced to 20%, which would reverse the situation in 2007 (when the strategy was written). Whilst this aspiration to reduce landfill reliance is stated no clear timescale for this to occur has been set. Existing Waste Services What we do now A number of different Authorities and service providers are involved in the management of waste services across the South Peace Region, resulting in a complex and competitive waste system. A number of recycling and stewardship schemes are currently in operation in South Peace. A network of drop-off locations exist throughout the City and County which facilitate the collection of a range of recyclable materials. Aquatera s Eco Centre in the City collects a wide range of materials, as do the transfer stations and two further landfills located in the County. Recently a blue bag curbside recycling scheme was introduced to the City. Aquatera Utilities Inc. also operates a commercial cardboard collection service from drop-off bins located throughout the City. In addition, a residential yard waste collection service is provided. Four main collection companies operate in the City and County: Evergreen 1 Too Good to Waste Alberta Environment Waste Strategy, df

4 iii Prairie Disposal County Disposal Waste Management Inc. The Future - Forecasting Solid Municipal Waste and Waste Management Scenario Development In order to establish future requirements for municipal solid waste management within South Peace, a range of potential future waste scenarios were modelled. The scenarios considered the following key factors in developing future waste management services: Waste Generation & Minimisation; Recycling & Composting Rates; and Residual Waste Treatment & Disposal 2. Waste Generation & Minimisation - Future waste arisings have been forecast to 2030 using population projections as a proxy indicator for growth. Currently approximately 1.33t of MSW is produced per capita per year in South Peace. The goal is for this to be reduced to 1.15t by 2030 through the introduction of national, provincial and local minimisation and reuse initiatives. Recycling & Composting - Three recycling and composting scenarios were considered up to the year 2030: Minimum 15% - reflecting estimated current recycling levels and therefore is a No change scenario Intermediate 33% - likely to be the Canadian national average by Maximum 50% - considered to be a relatively high recycling rate 4 Residual Waste Treatment & Disposal - Following recycling and composting, three residual waste treatment options were assessed up to the year 2030: 100% landfill which assumes all residual waste following recycling, composting and recovery is sent to landfill 50:50 landfill:efw and assumes 50% of treatable residual waste to EfW, remainder to landfill 100% EfW All of treatable residual waste to EfW, and the remainder of untreatable to landfill for disposal Options & Scenario Development - The above future recycling and residual treatment options yielded nine viable options that characterise future waste and resource management systems that could potentially develop in South Peace up to the year See Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations at the end of this report 3 Currently the Canadian National Average recycling rate is 25%, 4 See Appendix A for a summary of recycling and composting rate across Europe and USA

5 iv Options Evaluation & Assessment looking to the future These nine viable options were taken through a rigorous, and iterative, two phase options assessment process, as follows: Phase 1: Long list evaluation - evaluating the nine options against a range of objectives, with an aggregate score calculated for each, allowing a relative ranking of options to be developed. On this basis a shortlist of options was identified. Phase 2: Short list assessment - assessment of the three highest scoring options against feasibility considerations indentified a preferred strategic approach to be taken forward for development of the Masterplan implementation plan. The key objectives against which each shortlisted option is scored in Phase 1 are as follows: Environmental objectives Socio-economic objectives Operational objectives Waste management policy objectives Using 12 measurement criteria, the above four objectives were then given weightings by the project stakeholders to provide an overall weighted score for each option. On this basis, the three options consistently achieving the highest average score were short-listed as preferred options. Using the above analytical approach the following three short listed preferred options are identified: Preferred option 1: 50% recycling/composting, with 100% residual to landfill Preferred option 2: 50% recycling/composting, all treatable waste to EfW Preferred option 3: 33% recycling/composting, with 100% residual to landfill These preferred options were subsequently assessed for feasibility in order to select one option for implementation. In considering the feasibility of implementing the preferred scenarios, preferred option 3 (33% recycling/composting, 100% residual to landfill) was selected, due to its balance of achievability and aspiration. Implementation Plan How to get from where we are now to where we want to be? A summary outline action plan has been developed to show how all stakeholders in South Peace can work towards meeting future key strategic targets. This Action Plan is based on the selected scenario which requires a reduction in waste arisings to 1.15t per person per year, and an increase in the recycling rate to 33% by 2030, and reflects the strategic Masterplan framework for South Peace. In order to achieve the deliver the preferred option the implementation plan sets out four key objectives: Objective One: Objective Two: Objective Three: Minimise the generation of municipal solid waste; Maximise recycling and composting; Utilise local landfill sites for the disposal of residual waste in a sustainable manner, whilst actively exploring opportunities for moving up the waste hierarchy; and

6 v Objective Four: Monitor and review progress against key objectives and targets. Each objective is supported by a series of themes and actions, for which responsibilities and timescales have been broadly assigned. A summary overview of the implementation plan is set out overleaf in Table ES1 against each of the four above objectives and sets out 12 core themes with 46 actions. Specific headline targets for each of the four key objectives include: Minimisation Target (Objective One): o Reduce per capita MSW generation from ~1.33t (in 2010) to 1.15t by 2030 Recycling & Composting Target (Objective Two): o Increase performance levels from ~14% (in 2010) to at least 33% by 2030 Treatment and Disposal Targets (Objective Three): o Improve current disposal practices to optimise overall performance and efficiency o Within two years review the longer term viability of non landfill treatment technologies appropriate to the South Peace Region Monitoring & Review (Objective Four) o Within the next two years continue to improve data quality and accuracy to support each of the above objectives The Masterplan establishes a clear implementation plan which is both realistic and achievable. Recognition is given to the challenge facing all stakeholders in South Peace to increase recycling and reduce continued reliance on landfill. Key to successfully delivering on the plan will be close partnership working with all those involved with managing our waste more sustainably in future years.

7 vi Table ES1 Overview of the Proposed Implementation Plan

8 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS C&D Waste EfW EGSPA EPR IC&I Waste MSW NSE SHA Construction and Demolition Waste Energy from Waste Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act Extended Producer Responsibility Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Waste Municipal Solid Waste Nova Scotia Environment Sperling Hansen Associates Consulting Limited

9 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Agricultural Residuals All waste materials produced as a result of agricultural activities, including, for example, residues from the application of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other chemicals, wastewater, manure, bedding material, etc. Biodegradable Composting Material which is capable of being broken down by plants (including fungi), and animals (including worms and micro-organisms). In municipal solid waste, the property is generally attributed to the following fractions: paper and card, kitchen (food) and garden. The controlled biological decomposition and stabilisation of organic substrates (e.g. garden and kitchen waste), under conditions that are predominantly aerobic. It results in a final product that has sanitised and stabilised, is high in humic substances and is of such a quality that it can be used as a soil improver, as an ingredient in growing media, or blended to produce other marketable products (that meet recognised industry standards). Central composting Clean fill Large-scale schemes which handle garden waste and kitchen waste from households and which may also accept suitable waste from parks and gardens. Uncontaminated inert solid material including soil, rock, stone, dredged material, used asphalt, and brick, block or concrete. The soil is considered clean because it has not been contaminated or affected, for example by a spill or release of toxic materials. Construction demolition waste Disposal facility and C&D waste, also referred to as DLC (demolition, landclearing and construction waste), refers to waste generated by construction and demolition activities. It generally includes materials such as brick, painted wood, drywall, metal, cardboard, doors, windows, wiring, etc. It excludes materials from land clearing on areas not previously developed. C&D waste can come from residential sources such as house renovations or from non-residential sources for example the construction or demolition of office buildings. A facility at which waste is landfilled, incinerated, or treated for final disposal. Diversion Dwelling Units Diversion represents the quantity of materials diverted from disposal facilities and represents the sum of all materials processed for recycling at an off-site recycling or composting facility. Dwelling Units are defined in Bylaw C-1139 as any building occupied or used as living quarters or an abode by not more than three (3) families, but does not include a condominium, apartment building, mobile home park, institutional premises, lodges or mixed use residential premises. Energy from waste Includes a number of established and emerging technologies to recover

10 (EfW) energy from waste. Some of these are direct through mass burn incineration (where waste is directly combusted without pre-treatment) whereas others are indirect; where the waste is processed into a fuel before energy is recovered (e.g. conversion into refuse derived fuel, or gasification or pyrolysis). Many wastes are combustible, with relatively high calorific values this energy can be recovered through (for instance) incineration with electricity generation. Forestry Residuals The debris or leftover waste from the management of forests. This would include trees, stumps, branches, etc., that were discarded. Green Waste Greenhouse gas Hazardous waste Home composting Organic garden waste such as grass clippings, tree prunings, leaves etc. which can be used as composting feedstocks. Also known as yard waste. They can arise from gardens, parks and landscaping activities. One of a number of gases (including methane and carbon dioxide) that can contribute to climate change via the greenhouse effect when their atmospheric concentrations exceed certain levels. Includes all materials designated as hazardous, due to their nature or quantity, and requiring special handling techniques as specified by legislation or regulation. Compost can be made at home using a traditional compost heap, a purpose designed container, or a wormery. Incineration Industrial, commercial and institutional waste Incineration, in the context of waste, refers to the burning of waste. Most jurisdictions in Canada consider incineration to be disposal. Industrial, commercial, and institutional (IC & I) waste is the waste generated by all non-residential sources in a municipality, and is excluded from the residential waste stream. This includes: industrial waste, which is generated by manufacturing, primary and secondary industries, and is managed off-site from the manufacturing operation, and is generally picked up under contract by the private sector; commercial waste is generated by commercial operations such as shopping centres, restaurants, offices, etc. Some commercial waste (from small street-front stores, etc.) may be picked up by the municipal collection system along with residential waste; institutional waste is generated by institutional facilities such as schools, hospitals, government facilities, senior s homes, universities, etc. This waste is generally picked up under contract with the private sector. Inert Waste Waste which, when deposited into a waste disposal site, does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations. Landfill A waste disposal site for the deposit of the waste onto or into land

11 Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Metals Recycling Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) Non-hazardous waste (garbage) Non-residential waste A facility where materials that are collected for recycling are prepared or processed. The preparation or processing can include sorting, baling, cleaning, crushing, volume reduction and storing until shipment. A facility that recovers scrap metal from waste for recycling Waste under the control of local authorities. Note that this does not include contaminated soils and concrete. Included in this category are materials, products or by-products for which the waste generator has no further use and which are received for disposal at waste disposal facilities or for processing at a waste processing facility. Includes municipal solid non-hazardous waste generated by industrial, commercial and institutional sources as well as waste generated by construction and demolition activities. Oilfield Waste Recyclable material Oilfield waste is defined in the regulation as an unwanted substance or mixture of substances that results from the construction, operation, abandonment or reclamation of a facility, well site or pipeline within the meaning of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act. Any material that has reached the end of its useful life in the form or purpose for which it was initially made and that can be recycled into a material that has value as a feedstock in another production process. Recycling Involves the reprocessing of wastes, either into the same product or a different one. Many non-hazardous industrial wastes such as paper, glass, cardboard, plastics and scrap metals can be recycled. Special wastes such as solvents can also be recycled by specialist companies, or by in-house equipment. Recycling Rate Recycling centre / drop off depot The proportion of waste which is sent for recycling. Can also be used to mean recycling and composting rate, which includes both materials sent for recycling and composting. A facility or site where the public can bring materials for recycling or reuse. In some cases, household hazardous waste or special waste is accepted at these sites. Re-use Using a product again for the same or a different purpose. Furniture and some electrical goods are often capable of being re-used and many community and voluntary sector groups are actively involved in facilitating re-use of such items. It can be practiced by the commercial sector with the use of products designed to be used a number of times, such as reuseable packaging. Householders can purchase products that use refillable containers, or re-use plastic bags. The processes contribute to sustainable development and can save raw materials, energy and transport costs.

12 Residential waste Residual waste Sanitary landfill Separate collection Includes solid waste from residential sources (households), and includes waste that is picked up by the municipality (either using its own staff or through contracting firms), or residential waste that is taken by the generator to depots, transfer stations and disposal facilities. All waste remaining following minimisation, re-use or diversion through composting. A landfill that, at a minimum, accepts only specified types of wastes and whose access is controlled (by a fence or staff, for example) in order to monitor the types and quantities of wastes being deposited. Often, it also includes landfills that have technologies in place to keep wastes and leachate from contaminating the groundwater. These can include systems that collect the leachate in order to treat and dispose of it. Kerbside schemes where materials for recycling are collected either by a different vehicle or at a different time to the ordinary household waste collection. Source segregation Involves the segregation at source of waste into individual materials. In the case of household waste, this source segregated waste would include recyclable and compostable materials collected separately at the kerbside or taken to civic amenity and bring sites. Sustainable waste management Tipping fees Requires that waste management should be carried out in a way that does not place undue social, economic, or environmental burdens on either present or future generations and that ensures social equity, effective protection of the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and the maintenance of high and stable economic growth and employment. The aim is to de-couple waste production from economic growth. These are fees that are paid to the owner, or operator of a landfill for the right to dispose of waste within that landfill. These fees can be assessed on a weight-based (for example, per tonne), volume-based (per cubic metre) or per item (fees that differ according to the type of material being disposed, such as white goods or tires) basis. Tipping fees are sometimes known as disposal fees. Transfer facility / Waste Transfer Station A facility at which wastes transported by vehicles involved in collection are transferred to other vehicles that will transport the wastes to a disposal or recycling facility. Waste There have been several definitions of waste proposed in recent years. One common thread among these definitions is the concept that waste is a material that is unwanted by its producer. The unwanted materials may be by-products of a production process - fly ash from a furnace, for example. Alternatively they might be products, the inherent value of which has been consumed from the perspective of the current holder. For example, a newspaper that has been read, a package that has been opened and emptied of its contents, or an apple eaten to the core, are all similar insofar as they have lost their original inherent value from the consumers perspective.

13 Waste for disposal All materials not wanted by their generator and which are discarded for management at waste disposal facilities (excludes materials destined for recycling and composting). Yard Waste Organic garden waste such as grass clippings, tree prunings, leaves etc. which can be used as composting feedstocks. Also known as green waste.