Business and Organization Mandatory Recycling Summary presentation March 5, 2020
Background, Guidance • On July 20, 2015, City Council • In August 2015 City Council approved the Waste Diversion approved the Industrial, Policy , which directed Waste & Commercial And Institutional Recycling Services to develop Recycling Implementation waste diversion and waste Strategy – Usually now called the disposal targets for the Business Waste Reduction residential sector; construction Strategy or just “The Strategy”. and demolition sector; and the industrial, commercial, and institutional sector.
Garbage by sector in Lethbridge 2017 WASTE BY SECTOR 2008 WASTE BY SECTOR 23% 37% 48% 58% 19% 15% ICI C&D Residential ICI C&D Residential
Surcharge Materials
Example
Why Mandatory Recycling IC&I Waste Per Capita 0.700 • Most residents of Lethbridge are already recycling at home and have come to 0.600 expect similar opportunities at work. 0.500 • By taking control of the waste they 0.400 Tonnes generate, businesses and organizations IC&I/capita have the potential to save money and 0.300 2021 ICI Target make a positive impression on their ICI Baseline - '09 - '13 Ave. 0.200 customers. 0.100 • There is still room for improvement. 0.000 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Year
Places that already have or will have Mandatory Recycling • Calgary • Austin • Vancouver • Portland • Saskatoon • Boulder • Philadelphia • Chicago • Dallas • California
Historical Waste Composition – ICI Organics Paper 30% 31% Cardboard Other Recyclables Other Waste 7% 14%
Which materials are required? • Cardboard - All clean unpainted cardboard. Between 6-8% of garbage from ICI in Lethbridge in 2019 was cardboard. • Paper - Almost any type of paper is recyclable as long as it is clean and dry. Between 8-10 % of garbage in 2019 was paper. • Wood – Pallets, offcuts, unpainted. Not pressed board, no treated lumber. On average in 2019 1-2 % of ICI Garbage is wood, but for warehouses, and retail it can be much higher.
Why these materials? These are 3 materials that are common to almost every business and organization and they make up close to 20% of ICI garbage. Local processing options exist for all of these materials and at much lower costs than disposing of garbage. Allowing businesses to comply and still be competitive locally and beyond. Existing hauling and processing systems do not need to be disrupted, which reduces costs.
What will be required? • Provide Collection containers for recyclable materials. • Recyclable Material collected must be recycled. • Clear and easy to understand signage. • Staff to be trained on your recycling program. • Self-reporting to the City of Lethbridge. • Record-keeping of how materials were recycled and staff trained.
Separate and adequate collection containers for recyclable materials
Clear and Easy to understand signage
Self-Reporting It allows the business to show their compliance without requiring inspections by City staff. It allows City staff to focus efforts on businesses who have not reported and are meeting requirements. Allows the City to update you on future changes to the program directly.
Evaluate your current state • Look in your waste bin • We have found that owners and managers think they have systems in place but that programs will slip over time • Make this a regular part of your routine (monthly, quarterly whatever you think is reasonable based on performance) • Inform your staff on how well or not well they are doing. It will empower and motivate them to do better if they know you care
Actual Lethbridge Business garbage Bin
But I want to do more materials! • By all means, go above and beyond the program! • Organics are another material type that could be recycled and is scheduled to become a part of this program • Talk to your hauler about what they offer and what diversion you would like to do • We are meeting with haulers and processors regularly to understand what services they offer and find out how we can help them offer more
Where can you get help? • Your hauler is a great resource and likely has experience from other areas (like Calgary and Vancouver) on how to comply. • There are professional consultants that can provide expertise on waste audits, creating new systems and improving on old systems.
Where can you get help? • Environment Lethbridge has programs that your business may find valuable. • The City of Lethbridge has staff that can assist you meet or exceed our requirements. • Your own corporate head office may have staff & resources as well as experience from else where to help you.
Please fill out your questions and concerns on our survey • We are working hard on making this program as effective as possible at diverting recyclables from the landfill, while creating a level playing field for businesses.
Please fill out your questions and concerns on our survey • We don’t know what we don’t know, please tell us your questions and concerns so we can consider them. • We are working on building resources that other cities have used to help businesses, let us know what will help you.
Don’t Forget about the other R’s • Both Reduce and Reuse are better for the environment than Recycling • Resources you don’t waste or can use again and again save you money on the purchasing and on disposal!
Questions?
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