ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS Waste Management Solid Waste Update Presentation PW-8-2018-13
Managing Muskoka s Waste
Disposal Opportunities Curbside Collection (10) Staffed Gated Transfer Stations (2) Unstaffed Fenced Summer Depots (1) Unstaffed Fenced Year-Round Depot (1) Operating Landfill (97) Unstaffed Bin Sites Summer Only, Winter Only, Year-Round Marinas Purpose of Unstaffed Bin Sites: Disposal for Households without Curbside Collection
Unstaffed Bin Sites - Purpose Residents without Curbside Collection Roads unsuitable for travel by a collection truck Water access / island residences and cottages Seasonal private roads / hunt camp trails Numbered private / seasonal roads with unit numbers Dirt paths and unassumed roadways Marinas Inventory at each Bin Site: Typically 6 or 8 Yard Metal Bins Minimum: 3 Bins at Each Site 1 Garbage Bin, 1 Paper Recycling Bin, 1 Containers Bin
Ongoing Issues and Concerns Illegal Dumping: Ie. Contractors (roofers, renovators, store owners, etc.), residents with curbside collection, individuals in the area with knowledge of the location, etc. Irresponsible Disposal: Securing doors, throwing material on the ground, hazardous waste abandonment, wildlife encounters, contaminated recycling, etc. Severe Costly Contaminated Recycling Contamination is when incorrect items/materials are put into the system or when the right items/materials are prepared the wrong way (i.e., food/liquids residue in containers, etc.) Dumping Capacity Issues: Tipping schedule based on number of residents, historic tonnages not for unexpected sporadic illegal dumping activities and large items that don t fit in bins. Budget Impacts - Labour and Clean Up Requirements: Employees / vehicles required daily to accommodate clean-ups. Increased processing fees for recycling, garbage disposal, landfill space Community Concerns: NIMBY, scattered litter on neighbouring properties, smells, continued wildlife encounters, visible dump site, complaints, etc.
Dumping Prevention Methods Cameras / Surveillance Signage Customized Resident / Community Letters Resources / Educational Material Roaming Security Attendant Illegal Dumping Charges Personal Information Relocation or Temporary Elimination of Site Tipping Schedule Increases Bin Inventory Adjustments Bin Site Stewards
Bin Site Illegal Dumping: WHY? Barriers to Successful Operation of Bin Sites: Public desire for disposal convenience Don t care / District s problem Pay too much taxes / don t get enough for taxes Service level expectations Visible convenient disposal Perception of a dump site Not educated / aren t aware of alternatives Copy Cat Don t want to pay for disposal Travel time to staffed site / convenience Enabling dumping activities (ie. it gets cleaned up)
Drivers for Change Ministry of Environment Increased Costs and Labour Managing Contamination Blue Box Program Plan Changes District Strategic Objectives Increased Substantial Processing Costs Ongoing Contamination Issues Increased Complaints / Concerns Environmental Concerns
The Costly Toll of Recycling Contamination MAY JULY, 2018: Recycling from Unstaffed Bin Sites 75% of material collected from Recycling Bins at Unstaffed Bin Sites required landfill disposal due to contamination; = 175 tonnes Approximately $20,000 (May July, 2018) to manage the processing of contaminated recyclable material 175 Tonnes = Approximately 60 full-grown elephants.
What Now? What s Next? Gather relevant data (Area specific) and develop targeted strategy for controlling unstaffed Bin Sites; Develop strategic criteria for all established locations; Plan a targeted Waste Management campaign to educate, inspire and promote environmental stewardship; Committee direction on next steps
Solid Waste Management Andrew Guthrie Manager, Solid Waste andrew.guthrie@muskoka.on.ca Quinn Michell Public Awareness Representative quinn.michell@muskoka.on.ca Jamie Delaney Manager, Environmental Compliance jamie.delaney@muskoka.on.ca