Improving access to three-stream curbside collection is one of several priorities in a solid waste management review underway in the regional district.
At its June 19 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board was provided with updates on the progress of the Solid Waste Management Review
In his report to the board, Ben Van Nostrand, CSRD’s General Manager, Environmental and Utility Services, noted the plan is a four-step process that follows Ministry of Environment guidelines and typically takes more than two years to complete.
Van Nostrand said the plan being developed by Stantec is well underway and that stakeholder engagement and public consultation are key to the entire review process that, once initiated, includes setting the plan direction, evaluating options and finally, preparing and adopting the plan. The CSRD is required to submit a full plan renewal by Dec. 31, 2028.
A Consultation and Engagement Plan was developed with four main stakeholder groups – First Nation communities, public and interested parties, the CSRD board and the Public and Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC).
Van Nostrand told directors that the PTAC is key in discussing issues, options and identifying suitable strategies.
The solid waste management review combines nine strategic goals and actions to improve waste prevention; improve access to a three-stream curbside collection; improve diversion of organic materials from landfills and improve education and enforcement.
Other goals include improving waste generated from businesses, industries, institutions and multi-family buildings and improving construction and demolition waste diversion.
As well, Van Nostrand told directors that regionalizing CSRD landfills, improving the transfer station network and continuing to subsidize recycling services where appropriate are all key strategies.
In his report, which is available on the CSRD website, Van Nostrand included prioritized actions to address waste-reduction goals, identifying each as either being high priority strategies for the first five years and those that are a lower priority.
Three high-priority strategies to improve waste prevention include encouraging and supporting food waste reduction, a collaborative approach to provide education on alternatives to single-use items and packaging and establishment of grant funding to support local waste prevention and diversion initiatives.
Another high priority strategy is to improve access to three-stream curbside collection by supporting member municipalities to assess and implement programs, if deemed feasible, and by providing better access to curbside recycling and organics collection in densely populated electoral areas.
In his report, Van Nostrand recommended prioritized actions for reducing Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste focus on education and enforcement of existing bylaws.
Looking at the next steps to the review, which is mandated by the province, Van Nostrand’s report calls for improved emergency debris management, prevention of illegal dumping, improvement in wildlife management and a review of innovative technologies to maximize disposal capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The next steps identified in CSRD’s Solid Waste Management Plan update include an assessment of disposal options and costing to be completed over the next four to five months,
Development of design operations and closure plans for two landfills will be provide a basis for future disposal options.
Van Nostrand's report laid out the next steps for the Public and Technical Advisory Committee. They include public engagement and consultation and submission of a final plan to the Ministry of Environment by the end of 2025.
Following his presentation, Van Nostrand told directors improved education and enforcement are required to address compliance issues at landfills and transfer stations.
"Without a stick, we don't see enforcement," he said. "It's not so much about asking folks as telling them."
He said enforcement will be key improving construction and demolition waste diversion as people seem to be quite happy to pay extra for mixed loads.
Asking "do we really want to be in the landfill game?," Van Nostrand said alternatives are being considered and will be presented to the board and the public next year.
Electoral Area C Director Marty Gibbons complained about compost attracting rats and asked if there are grants available to implement a curbside program in Sorrento.
"We keep looking to see if there is any way we can provide the same excellent curbside service as Salmon Arm's to smaller communities," replied Van Nostrand.
