Issues

The SWANA BC Pacific Chapter plays a unique role in adressing the key issues affecting Solid Waste Management in BC. The BC Chapter acts as a resource to its members as they formulate their own and collective responses to these issues. The BC Chapter has traditionally acted more as a resource and knowledge clearing house than as a policy lobby group. 

• Integrated Solid Waste Management
• Product Stewardship 
• Management of Used Tires
• Electronics
• Organics
• Avian Flu and BSE Contaminated Materials

Integrated Solid Waste Management 

The 5Rs solid waste hierarchy (i.e,. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Resource Recovery, and Residual Management) is one of the guiding principles in the management of municipal solid waste in British Columbia. Despite the success of the first 3Rs, there continues to be a need for environmentally responsible and sustainable disposal of the non-recyclable residue. SWANA BC supports an integrated approach to solid waste management and recognizes that along with the 3Rs, landfilling and/or waste-to-energy comprise important features of all solid waste management systems. SWANA BC supports efforts to establish and maintain integrated, sustainable and cost effective solid waste management systems.

Product Stewardship 

SWANA BC supports the continued implementation of additional Product Stewardship programs for the management of selected categories of municipal solid waste. Product Stewardship has the desirable effect of shifting the management cost of used or waste materials away from the general Provincial or municipal tax base towards a more equitable user-pay system. It also serves to reduce the burden on the services which local governments provide to their residents and promotes additional efficiency, innovation and ultimately product design-for-environment. BC has been among the leaders in the implementation of Product Stewardship programs and SWANA BC strongly encourages the Ministry of Environment to continue and expand this approach.

Management of Used Tires 

The BC Ministry of Environment (MOE) has indicated that a schedule for tires will be added to the BC Recycling Regulation. MOE has recently released an Intentions Paper (IP) and addendum describing their plans. SWANA BC responded to the initial Intentions Papers and is preparing a response to the Addendum on tires.

SWANA BC supports managing used tires as part of the Recycling Regulation. SWANA’s primary concern is that the implementation of the program be as described in the IP; that is the schedule for tires be added in early 2006 for implementation by mid 2006.

The establishment of an industry managed stewardship program should help to insure that a sustainable program is set up where the financial burden is carried by the manufacturers or users rather than by collection and processing operators. Prices can be established which insure a fair return or cost to all the participants.

Electronics 

MOE is also intending to add a schedule for electronics to the BC Recycling Regulation. Electronics recycling is an issue that is frequently raised by municipal councils/regional boards and by the public. In general, there are limited facilities for receiving electronics for recycling in British Columbia. Some electronics are not received free of charge, encouraging the disposal of the electronics in the municipal solid waste stream. Other jurisdictions, including Alberta, already have product stewardship programs in place for electronics.

SWANA BC supports a product stewardship program for electronics and encourages the MOE to require that a product stewardship program be implemented for electronics as soon as possible. SWANA is concerned that MOE’s IP on electronics suggests that a program may not be required to be fully in place by mid 2007. SWANA’s other concern is that an electronics stewardship program cover the full range of electronics. MOE’s IP suggests that initially the program would be restricted to computers, computer monitors, computer accessories, desktop printers and televisions. The program should apply to a broader range of electronics including cellular phones, video and digital cameras, DVD players, all printers and other items.

Organics 

Organic waste represents the single largest component of municipal solid waste currently being disposed. Programs in place in many communities in BC provide for the diversion of organics through natural lawn care, back-yard composting, yard and garden waste collection and composting facilities. SWANA BC supports these programs.

In addition to the above programs, communities across Canada are seeking 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 management programs provided that current challenges in effective collection methods, processing technology, and marketing of the end products can be addressed. SWANA BC supports additional efforts in the diversion of organic waste from disposal where it can be shown that they are environmentally, socially, and financially sustainable.

Avian Flu and BSE Contaminated Materials 

As a minimum, the disposal of Avian Flu and BSE contaminated materials at current solid waste facilities requires the development of special transport, handling and management protocols and procedures. The development of these protocols must involve close co-operation with the facility owners and operators, local communities, local government leaders, Canadian Food and Drug Administration and the Medical Health Officer in order to ensure that the concerns, interests, and needs of all parties are addressed. SWANA BC supports the development of such protocols and welcomes the opportunity to provide input. With its varied membership base, including both private and public sector solid waste management professionals, SWANA BC is willing to assist as required.