The SWANA BC Pacific Chapter plays a unique role in adressing the keyissues affecting Solid Waste Management in BC. The BC Chapter acts as aresource to its members as they formulate their own and collectiveresponses to these issues. The BC Chapter has traditionally acted moreas a resource and knowledge clearing house than as a policy lobbygroup.
Integrated Solid Waste Management
The 5Rs solid waste hierarchy (i.e., Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, ResourceRecovery, and Residual Management) is one of the guiding principles inthe management of municipal solid waste in British Columbia. Despitethe success of the first 3Rs, there continues to be a need forenvironmentally responsible and sustainable disposal of thenon-recyclable residue. SWANA BC supports an integrated approach tosolid waste management and recognizes that along with the 3Rs,landfilling and/or waste-to-energy comprise important features of allsolid waste management systems. SWANA BC supports efforts to establishand maintain integrated, sustainable and cost effective solid wastemanagement systems.
Product Stewardship
SWANA BC supports the continued implementation of additional ProductStewardship programs for the management of selected categories ofmunicipal solid waste. Product Stewardship has the desirable effect ofshifting the management cost of used or waste materials away from thegeneral Provincial or municipal tax base towards a more equitableuser-pay system. It also serves to reduce the burden on the serviceswhich local governments provide to their residents and promotesadditional efficiency, innovation and ultimately productdesign-for-environment. BC has been among the leaders in theimplementation of Product Stewardship programs and SWANA BC stronglyencourages the Ministry of Environment to continue and expand thisapproach.
Management of Used Tires
The BC Ministry of Environment (MOE) has indicated that a schedule fortires will be added to the BC Recycling Regulation. MOE has recentlyreleased an Intentions Paper (IP) and addendum describing their plans.SWANA BC responded to the initial Intentions Papers and is preparing aresponse to the Addendum on tires.
SWANA BC supports managing used tires as part of the RecyclingRegulation. SWANA’s primary concern is that the implementation of theprogram be as described in the IP; that is the schedule for tires beadded in early 2006 for implementation by mid 2006.
The establishment of an industry managed stewardship program shouldhelp to insure that a sustainable program is set up where the financialburden is carried by the manufacturers or users rather than bycollection and processing operators. Prices can be established whichinsure a fair return or cost to all the participants.
Electronics
MOE is also intending to add a schedule for electronics to the BCRecycling Regulation. Electronics recycling is an issue that isfrequently raised by municipal councils/regional boards and by thepublic. In general, there are limited facilities for receivingelectronics for recycling in British Columbia. Some electronics are notreceived free of charge, encouraging the disposal of the electronics inthe municipal solid waste stream. Other jurisdictions, includingAlberta, already have product stewardship programs in place forelectronics.
SWANA BC supports a product stewardship program for electronics andencourages the MOE to require that a product stewardship program beimplemented for electronics as soon as possible. SWANA is concernedthat MOE’s IP on electronics suggests that a program may not berequired to be fully in place by mid 2007. SWANA’s other concern isthat an electronics stewardship program cover the full range ofelectronics. MOE’s IP suggests that initially the program would berestricted to computers, computer monitors, computer accessories,desktop printers and televisions. The program should apply to a broaderrange of electronics including cellular phones, video and digitalcameras, DVD players, all printers and other items.
Organics
Organic waste represents the single largest component of municipalsolid waste currently being disposed. Programs in place in manycommunities in BC provide for the diversion of organics through naturallawn care, back-yard composting, yard and garden waste collection andcomposting facilities. SWANA BC supports these programs.
In addition to the above programs, communities across Canada areseeking other options for the management of additional organic waste.These exist in several BC communities, including Nanaimo and Squamish.To that end SWANA BC supports additional organic waste managementprograms provided that current challenges in effective collectionmethods, processing technology, and marketing of the end products canbe addressed. SWANA BC supports additional efforts in the diversion oforganic waste from disposal where it can be shown that they areenvironmentally, socially, and financially sustainable.
Avian Flu and BSE Contaminated Materials
As a minimum, the disposal of Avian Flu and BSE contaminated materialsat current solid waste facilities requires the development of specialtransport, handling and management protocols and procedures. Thedevelopment of these protocols must involve close co-operation with thefacility owners and operators, local communities, local governmentleaders, Canadian Food and Drug Administration and the Medical HealthOfficer in order to ensure that the concerns, interests, and needs ofall parties are addressed. SWANA BC supports the development of suchprotocols and welcomes the opportunity to provide input. With itsvaried membership base, including both private and public sector solidwaste management professionals, SWANA BC is willing to assist asrequired.
The crisis related to the disposal of these materials in the LowerMainland in the last two years has highlighted the need forconsideration of establishing dedicated facilities that would bedesigned to manage such materials in a safe manner, with minimalenvironmental, social, and political impacts. The uncertainty over theultimate disposal of contaminated bird carcasses from the Fraser Valleyonly served to compound what already appeared to be an economicdisaster for the industry. The recent Avian Flu threats in parts ofAsia and Eastern Europe have once again highlighted that the need tocontinue to pursue the establishment of a facility with the capabilityto manage the disposal of such materials. Once again, SWANA BC iswilling to participate and provide input.
Landfill Gas Regulation – Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation
The BC Chapter had the opportunity to comment on the Provincial Government’s intention paper to introduce a Landfill Gas Regulation . The extension to the response period allowed time for the BC Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) to arrange an online symposium for chapter members and other interested parties. The intention of the symposium was to facilitate a meaningful response and to discuss and record concerns.
The two hour e-session was a new venture by the BC Chapter as part of its Member Services. The Chapter made arrangements with SWANA head office in Silver Spring, Maryland to access web session infrastructure and we will be assessing this format. A facilitator from the Learning and Technology Program of Royal Roads University was contracted to assist in the session.
The event was structured to allow members in outlying areas of the province to gather together any number of individuals in their organizations responsible for landfill operations and policy and planning to participate in a SWANA e-session webinar. By special arrangement there was no charge to participants for this e- session.
Participants were:
Public Sector: Chilliwack, City of Vancouver, CRD, CSRD, City of Kelowna, Metro Vancouver, Peace River, RDFFG, RDKB, RDKS, RDN, RDNO, RDOS, District of Summerland, TNRD, UBC, MOE
Private Sector
CRA, GLL, GNH Engineering, SH Associates, SYLVIS
The principle concerns expressed during the two hour session were:
- Prescriptive nature of the proposed regulation
- Dissatisfaction about the LFG generation model
- Scepticism about attaining the proposed 75% gas capture requirement
- Effect of regulation on the eligibility for carbon credits
- Lack of consideration for front-end gas reduction measures such as organics diversion programs and gas treatment technologies not involving LFG capture
A summary of the comments received by SWANA during the online symposium and through separate communications from our members is found on the link ( click here for a link to the PDF).
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