City’s business waste diversion strategy shows results
Introducing the collection of recyclable asphalt shingles from roofing businesses last year resulted in 2.3 million kilograms diverted from the landfill, city council learned on Monday.
This was one of the main factors which contributed to a slight decline of 36 kg per capita in overall business sector waste disposal at the landfill in 2016.
A report was presented to council on Monday, which outlined the results from the first year of the City’s five-year implementation strategy for Industrial, Commercial & Institutional (ICI) and C & D waste diversion.
Business-sector waste disposal volumes vary year to year depending on factors such as the economy, housing starts and damaging storms, according to the report.
It’s the fourth consecutive year of declining waste disposal from the construction & demolition sector.
City council approved the ICI and C& D Waste Diversion Implementation Strategy in August 2015. At the time, business-sector waste accounted for about 75 per cent of material in the landfill. The strategy set targets to reduce local businesssector waste disposal by 25 per cent by 2021 and 45 per cent by 2030.
The City’s Waste & Recycling staff contacted more than 100 businesses as well as business associations and major institutions to outline the strategy, which was developed with business stakeholders in 2013. Implementation began last year with a one-year voluntary/education phase.
Part of the strategy involves the progressive increase of commercial tipping fees. On Jan. 1, they were raised from $75 to $85 per tonne.
In 2019, a $50 per tonne surcharge will also be introduced on loads containing designated recyclable materials. The final phase in 2020 will include the introduction of mandatory recycling and bans on disposing designated materials in the landfill.
The report shared on Monday shows that in 2016, C& D waste disposal dropped to 189 kg per capita, down from 282 kg in 2015 and 341 kg in 2014. In just one year, this sector is already below the 2021 waste diversion target.
The ICI sector generated waste of 490 kg per capita in 2016, a drop of 36 kg per capita from the previous year. The reasons for the ICI change were less clear and continue to be investigated.
“We’re encouraged with the early results we’re seeing in waste diversion, particularly in the Construction & Demolition sector,” said Mayor Chris Spearman. “To make meaningful progress on waste reduction and diversion in our community, everyone needs to play a part. It was confirmed today that they are.”
For 2017, several opportunities and focus areas for the business sector were identified. They include the recycling of mattresses and carpet underlay, asphalt materials, wood and drywall, and polystyrene foam.
Council approved a Waste Diversion Policy in 2015 setting a target of reducing overall community per-capita waste disposal by 50 per cent by 2030. Currently about 20 per cent of residential waste is diverted from the landfill. The policy also targets the residential sector, with a goal to increase waste diversion to 50 per cent by 2021 and 65 per cent by 2030.
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