1. Local Government Perspective
Recycling and regional waste management
Paul Henderson, PEng
General Manager Solid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver
Chair Dhaliwal
UBCM Workshop, September 26, 2019

2. Overview Strategic Directions Solid Waste Management priorities
New initiatives and key issues
2 of 14

3. Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Strategic Directions
Managing our solid waste
2. Ensuring
financial
sustainability
3. Fostering
collaboration
and engagement

4. Achieved 63% diversion in 2017
Regional Diversion Targets
70% diversion by 2015
80% diversion by 2020 aspirational goal
10% per capita waste reduction
Achieved 63% diversion in 2017
(Canadian average 26.5%)
Director Froese
Metro Vancouver is one of the leading jurisdictions in North America for waste reduction and waste diversion.
Currently, we are recycling 63% of all waste generated in the region. Although the region fell short of the % waste diversion target from the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, Metro Vancouver’s waste diversion performance is more than twice the Canadian average, and second to none among major cities in Canada.

5. Zero Waste Goals: Reduce and Recycle
Love Food Hate Waste
Food Scraps Aren’t Garbage Campaign
Clothing and Textiles Campaign
Christmas Campaign
Single-Use Item Reduction Toolkit for members
Director Froese
Waste reduction is a critical component of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste program. We approach it from multiple angles.
Metro Vancouver runs public awareness campaigns targeting things like food waste, textiles, abandoned waste, and electronics.
These campaigns are often designed to support Metro Vancouver’s disposal ban program and provincial Extended Producer Responsibility programs. Campaign materials are freely made available to member jurisdictions and communities from across the country.
In 2018, we launched Love Food Hate Waste Canada in partnership with nine partners, including the city of Toronto, the Capital Regional District, Province of BC, RECYC-QUÉBEC and major Canadian food retailers Walmart Canada and Sobeys.

6. Product Design & Packaging
Business
Government
Community Groups
Food
Product Design & Packaging
Circular Economy
Construction
Renovation
& Demolition
Plastics
An initiative of Metro Vancouver, the National Zero Waste Council provides cross- sectoral leadership to advance waste prevention in Canada and the transition to a circular economy.  
Director Froese
Campaigns effectively reach residents, however we also need to work with other governments and the business sector if we are to really strive for zero waste.
To this end, in 2013 Metro Vancouver established the National Zero Waste Council, which brings together key stakeholders across Canada to advance a waste prevention agenda.
The Council, co-chaired by City of Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, is committed to helping all sectors of the Canadian economy reduce waste and transition to a circular economy.
The council’s work includes building relationships with industry, academia, non-profits and others on key areas including food, product design & packaging, circular economy, construction & demolition waste and plastics.
6 of 14

7. 7 of 14

8. Regional Organics Recycled
Tonnes
63% overall diversion rate; 68% organics diversion
Achieved strong results through organics disposal ban and municipal organics collection programs
60% increase in organics recycled from 2013 to 2017
Challenges with odour and processing capacity
Price increased significantly in past 2 years
Organics in 2018 = 419,753. 4% decrease from previous years.
Challenges in 2018: Closure of Harvest Power in December, Enviro-Smart Organics odour complaints

9. City of Surrey Biofuel Facility
Outputs: renewable natural gas and compost product
Enclosed facility with advanced odour control system
Operating since 2018

10. Metro Vancouver Solid Waste
System

11. New Transfer Stations Maximize Recycling Opportunities
Recycling depots
Variety of free and paid recyclables
Flexible design
Multiple scales and onsite queuing
Coquitlam Transfer Station Replacement
Surrey Recycling & Waste Drop-Off Facility

12. Waste-to-Energy Facility Bottom Ash Beneficial Use
42,000 tonnes per year of bottom ash
New non-ferrous system
Recovers ferrous and non-ferrous metal
Improves bottom ash properties
Initiating procurement for beneficial use of bottom ash

13. Alternative Fuel and Recyclables Recovery Centre Business Case
Develop at Coquitlam Landfill
Recover recyclable materials and alternative fuel
50,000 to 60,000 tonnes/year of small vehicle waste
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 to 85,000 tonnes per year

14. Regional Solid Waste Management Key Issues
Unstable recycling systems
increasing costs
reduced access to facilities/markets
Financial sustainability - Generator Levy
Continuing to advance Zero Waste and Circular Economy
Public awareness of single use and ocean plastics
Illegal dumping/unintended consequences