METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ZERO WASTE …€¦ · 08-02-2019 · titled “Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Conference”. 5.7 Manager’s Report . Designated Speaker:

February 8, 2019

Added

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE

REGULAR MEETING

Friday, February 8, 2019 9:00 a.m.

28th Floor Committee Room, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia

R E V I S E D A G E N D A1

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 February 8, 2019 Regular Meeting AgendaThat the Zero Waste Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for February 8, 2019 as circulated.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 January 10, 2019 Regular Meeting MinutesThat the Zero Waste Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held January 10, 2019 as circulated.

3. DELEGATIONS

3.1 Michael Zarbl, Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable BC Subject: Proposed amendments to Bylaw 181 regarding hauler licensing and a generator levy

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 Recycling and Waste Case StudiesDesignated Speaker: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 30, 2019, titled “Recycling and Waste Case Studies”.

5.2 Response to Waste Management Association of BC Delegation at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee Meeting Designated Speaker: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services

1 Note: Recommendation is shown under each item, where applicable.

Zero Waste Committee

Zero Waste Committee Regular Agenda February 8, 2019

Agenda Page 2 of 3

That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 30, 2019, titled “Response to Waste Management Association of BC Delegation at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee Meeting”.

5.3 Solid Waste Regulatory Framework Update Designated Speaker: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services That the GVD&DD Board: a) send a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

requesting that the Minister approve the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017; and

b) direct staff to request a meeting with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and representatives of the GVS&DD Board.

5.4 Single-Use Item Reduction Approach Designated Speaker: Karen Storry, Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Services

That the GVS&DD Board write the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy expressing support for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ resolution requesting that a provincial single-use item reduction strategy be put in place.

5.5 2019 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Designated Speaker: Larina Lopez, Corporate Communications Division Manager, External Relations That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated January 23, 2019, titled “2019 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign”.

5.6 Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Conference Designated Speakers: Heather Schoemaker, General Manager, External Relations and

Ann Rowan, Manager, Collaboration Initiatives, External Relations That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated February 1, 2019, titled “Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Conference”.

5.7 Manager’s Report Designated Speaker: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated February 1, 2019, titled “Manager’s Report”.

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

7. OTHER BUSINESS 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS 9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING


Zero Waste Committee Regular Agenda February 8, 2019

Agenda Page 3 of 3

Note: The Committee must state by resolution the basis under section 90 of the Community Charter on which the meeting is being closed. If a member wishes to add an item, the basis must be included below.

That the Zero Waste Committee close its regular meeting scheduled for February 8, 2019 pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (1) (g) as follows: “90 (1) A part of the meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being

considered relates to or is one or more of the following: (g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the regional district”.

10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION

That the Zero Waste Committee adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of February 8, 2019.

Membership: Froese, Jack (C) - Langley Township Hodge, Craig (VC) - Coquitlam Calendino, Pietro - Burnaby Cameron, Craig - West Vancouver Elford, Doug - Surrey

Fathers, Helen - White Rock Fry, Pete - Vancouver Little, Mike - North Vancouver District Madsen, Hunter - Port Moody

Martin, Gayle - Langley City Morden, Mike - Maple Ridge Steves, Harold - Richmond Trentadue, Mary - New Westminster

F H C C E


Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MVRD Zero Waste Committee held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 Page 1 of 4

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Zero Waste Committee held at 9:06 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 in the 28th Floor Committee Room, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Mayor Jack Froese, Langley Township Vice Chair, Councillor Craig Hodge, Coquitlam (departed at 10:27 a.m.) Councillor Pietro Calendino, Burnaby Councillor Craig Cameron, West Vancouver (arrived at 9:21 a.m.) Councillor Doug Elford, Surrey Councillor Helen Fathers, White Rock Councillor Pete Fry, Vancouver Mayor Mike Little, North Vancouver District Councillor Hunter Madsen, Port Moody Councillor Gayle Martin, Langley City (arrived at 9:15 a.m.) Mayor Mike Morden, Maple Ridge Councillor Mary Trentadue, New Westminster

MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

STAFF PRESENT: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services Carol Mason, Chief Administrative Officer Genevieve Lanz, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Agenda

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee: a) amend the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for January 10, 2019 by

adding:i. Item 3.1 Josh JansenVandoorn, Waste Management Association of BC,ii. Item 5.4 Manager’s Report; and

b) adopt the agenda as amended.CARRIED

2.1



2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES 2.1 October 11, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held October 11, 2018 as circulated.

CARRIED 3. DELEGATIONS

3.1 Josh JansenVandoorn, Waste Management Association of British Columbia

Josh JansenVandoorn, Waste Management Association of British Columbia, spoke to members regarding the 2019 Zero Waste Committee Priorities and Work Plan, highlighting the role of Waste Management Association of British Columbia, asserting regulatory uncertainty brings forth challenges associated with the lack of waste diversion and recycling processing capacities in the region.

9:15 a.m. Councillor Martin arrived at the meeting. Request of staff: Staff was requested to provide the Zero Waste Committee with a response to Josh JasenVandoorn's delegation presentation and on-table executive summary at the January 10, 2019, Zero Waste Committee meeting.

9:21 a.m. Councillor Cameron arrived at the meeting.

On-table executive summary is retained with the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee agenda.

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

No items presented. 5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 2019 Zero Waste Committee Priorities and Work Plan Report dated January 3, 2019 from Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services, providing the Zero Waste Committee with the priorities and work plan for the year 2019. Members were provided with a presentation on the Zero Waste Committee 2019 Work Plan priorities and committee orientation, highlighting the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, the projected tipping fees, the updates to the solid waste regulatory framework, and the regional diversion rates.

10:27 a.m. Councillor Hodge departed the meeting.



Presentation material titled “Zero Waste Committee 2019 Work Plan Priorities and Committee Orientation” is retained with the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee agenda. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee endorse the work plan as presented in the report dated January 3, 2019, titled “2019 Zero Waste Committee Priorities and Work Plan”.

CARRIED 5.2 2017 Annual Recycling and Solid Waste Management Summary

Report dated January 4, 2019 from Andrew Marr, Director, Solid Waste Planning, Solid Waste Services, providing the GVS&DD Board with the annual update on the regional reduction, recycling and disposal of solid waste.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 4, 2019, titled “2017 Annual Recycling and Solid Waste Management Summary”.

CARRIED

5.3 2018 Regional Food Scraps Recycling Campaign Results Report dated January 3, 2019 from Larina Lopez, Division Manager, Corporate Communications, External Relations, updating the Zero Waste Committee on the results of the 2018 regional “Food Scraps Recycling” campaign. Members were provided with a presentation on the regional food scraps recycling 2018 campaign performance, highlighting campaign barriers, banner ads and outreach platforms, and member municipality engagement. Presentation material titled “Food Scraps Recycling 2018 Campaign Performance” is retained with the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee agenda. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 3, 2019, titled “2018 Regional Food Scraps Recycling Campaign Results”.

CARRIED 5.4 Manager’s Report

Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services, informed members of the scheduling of an upcoming tour of regional solid waste management facilities. Members were shown a video on the Coquitlam Transfer Station replacement which is not retained with the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee agenda.



6. INFORMATION ITEMS It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the following Information Items: 6.1 Correspondence re Extended Producer Responsibility Program Update, dated

December 11, 2018, from Minister George Heyman 6.2 Correspondence re Vancouver Landfill Technical Liaison Committee, dated

December 21, 2018, from Mayor George V. Harvie, City of Delta CARRIED

7. OTHER BUSINESS

No items presented. 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS

No items presented. 9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING

No items presented. 10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee conclude its regular meeting of January 10, 2019.

CARRIED (Time: 11:22 a.m.)

____________________________ ____________________________ Genevieve Lanz, Jack Froese, Chair Legislative Services Coordinator 28102184 FINAL


28362108

To: Zero Waste Committee

From: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services

Date: January 30, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019

Subject: Recycling and Waste Case Studies

RECOMMENDATION That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 30, 2019, titled “Recycling and Waste Case Studies”.

PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to provide the Zero Waste Committee and GVS&DD Board with a series of recycling and waste case studies.

BACKGROUND In November 2017, the Board approved three new bylaws that update the region’s solid waste regulatory framework. The Board gave first, second and third reading and adopted the GVS&DD Tipping Fee and Solid Waste Disposal Regulation Amending Bylaw No. 308, 2017, which amended the Tipping Fee Bylaw to implement the Generator Levy effective January 1, 2018. The Board gave first, second and third reading to the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 (Commercial Hauler Licensing Bylaw) and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017 (updates to GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw No. 181, 1996 (Bylaw 181)). These bylaws are before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration.

To help illustrate the importance of the Metro Vancouver policy and regulatory framework, Metro Vancouver developed a series of case studies that show how Metro Vancouver’s regulatory and policy framework have supported waste reduction and diversion, private sector investment, economic growth and innovation in the region. An additional case study was developed to provide an example of some of the challenges that have been experienced in Calgary, where gaps in the solid waste regulatory framework have impacted the pursuit of these objectives. The purpose of this report is to bring forward those case studies for the Board’s information.

RECYCLING AND WASTE CASE STUDIES A series of interviews were conducted to develop the following recycling success stories:

• An overview of the regional solid waste system was provided by representatives fromRecycling Council of British Columbia, Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable and theCanadian representative to the Solid Waste Association of North America

• Emterra Environmental• London Drugs• Merlin Plastics/Merlin Group of Companies

5.1


Recycling and Waste Case Studies Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: February 8,2019

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• Retail Council of Canada • Sea to Sky Soils/Net Zero Waste • Tourism Vancouver

For the City of Calgary case study, interviews were conducted with:

• City of Calgary staff • The Recycling Council of Alberta • Cascades Recovery+, a Division of Cascades Canada ULC (CR+) • Another waste and recycling company that asked not to be identified

Recycling Success Stories The recycling success stories show that Metro Vancouver’s policy and regulatory framework is important in advancing waste diversion in the region, and that a strong policy and regulatory environment removes economic barriers for recycling and waste services providers and the companies to which they provide services. The recycling success stories are attached and a summary of each of the stories follows. Solid Waste System Overview: Metro Vancouver’s role in solid waste management dates back to changes to the GVS&DD act in 1974 that gave the region authority to plan and manage regional waste. Since that time, Metro Vancouver has been central to waste reduction, recycling and waste management planning for the region. Metro Vancouver works with other levels of government, member jurisdictions, stewardship agencies, not-for-profits, and the private sector in advancing waste management for the region. Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan forms a blueprint for waste diversion along with residuals management. Metro Vancouver’s regulatory framework works in concert with provincial regulatory measures including specifically the Recycling Regulation. As materials are added to the Recycling Regulation Metro Vancouver includes the materials in its disposal ban program to help encourage recycling. Solid waste regulations have incented investments in technology and infrastructure, and facilitated the development of commercial experience. Utilizing that experience gained locally, there are now many examples of entities that started in Metro Vancouver being successful across Canada. A consistent solid waste regulatory and policy environment helps ensure high quality and low contamination recyclables. Emterra Environmental: Emterra was founded locally in 1976 and is now one of Canada’s three largest recycling-focused waste management companies. As a family-owned business, Emterra has more than 1,000 employees, of which 350 are in British Columbia. Since 2017, Emterra has operated the Surrey, Coquitlam and North Shore transfer stations under contract with Metro Vancouver. Metro Vancouver’s transfer station network, with consistent and transparent fees and regulations for all haulers, lowers barriers to entry for waste and recycling companies establishing themselves in the region. Hauler licensing, the Generator Levy, and updates to Bylaw 181 are all important regulatory measures to increase waste diversion in the region.



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London Drugs: London Drugs has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and waste reduction, including recycling, which is one of London Drugs’ four sustainability pillars. Metro Vancouver’s regulations support London Drugs’ commitment to recycling, and the sustainability climate and green mindset in the region and province contribute to London Drugs’ success. For example, Metro Vancouver’s disposal bans ensure that all major haulers provide recycling services along with waste collection services, allowing London Drugs to negotiate competitive hauling and recycling contracts and also confidently invest in the necessary infrastructure to continue diverting waste. Merlin Plastics/Merlin Group of Companies: Merlin was established in the late 1980s in the Lower Mainland and has expanded operations throughout North America. Today, Merlin employs nearly 400 people, of which more than 100 work in BC. As the largest plastics processor in Canada and fourth largest post-consumer plastics processor in North America, Merlin processes more than 300 million pounds (136,000 tonnes) of plastic per year. Merlin is a founding partner of Green by Nature EPR, the company that contracts with Recycle BC to process all of the residentially-collected recyclables in the province. Merlin credits the ‘green’ culture and leadership that prevails in BC as major contributors to Merlin’s growth. Early leadership by the Ministry of Environment and local governments have been key to Merlin’s success. Merlin’s early supply of material was plastic milk jugs from municipal recycling programs. Metro Vancouver’s 1995 Solid Waste Management Plan establishing waste diversion and recycling targets further incented Merlin to invest in infrastructure and develop markets. Metro Vancouver’s solid waste programs and regulations have created conditions for Merlin to access feedstock that is consistent and reliable. Higher tipping fees and disposal bans incent haulers and their commercial sector customers to separate out plastics for recycling. Retail Council of Canada: The Retail Council of Canada is a not-for-profit association that represents more than 45,000 stores and more than two-thirds of all retail sales in Canada. The Retail Council of Canada has identified sustainability, including waste reduction, as one of six key areas of concern to members. Within the Canadian retail sector, British Columbia and Metro Vancouver are recognized as leaders in waste diversion. Infrastructure to support retailers’ solid waste diversion efforts exist in Metro Vancouver in ways it doesn’t elsewhere. Metro Vancouver regulates waste disposal for its 21 member municipalities, creating a harmonized system across municipal borders. This harmonized approach makes it easier for businesses to design internal waste diversion systems, negotiate waste and recycling contracts and comply with regulations. Disposal bans have supported the creation or success of a number of private businesses. In jurisdictions where bans and other waste regulations don’t exist, small and medium sized businesses’ waste diversion goals are often thwarted by hauling contract restrictions. Metro Vancouver’s existing and proposed solid waste regulations ensure that all customers have access to recycling options via their hauling contracts. Sea to Sky Soils/Net Zero Waste: Sea to Sky Soils is an organics composting and soils production facility operating just south of Pemberton, and is associated with Net Zero Waste, a company involved in composting projects around British Columbia. The Pemberton facility composts organics from the Sea to Sky corridor, and recently began processing organics from North Shore communities through



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a contract with Metro Vancouver. Sea to Sky Soils’ is sited on Lil’wat Nation land and works closely with the First Nation on all aspects of the site’s operation. Almost all of the employees at the facility are Lil’wat Nation members. Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste support Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulatory updates because they level the playing field and reduce barriers for entry into the composting and recycling industry. A Commercial Hauler Licensing Bylaw requirement that organics containers are provided in multi-family and commercial businesses will further increase source-separated organic material available to composting operators. The Generator Levy helps ensure the success of publicly operated transfer stations available to all, with transparent and consistent rules promoting waste diversion. Tourism Vancouver: Tourism Vancouver is a not-for-profit destination marketing organization and business association representing approximately 1,000 tourism related businesses in Metro Vancouver. Vancouver’s ‘green’ brand is essential to the tourism industry’s success and the Tourism Vancouver Master Plan places environment as one of its core goals. Tourism Vancouver shares the zero waste goals of Metro Vancouver and its member municipalities and supports a strong regulatory framework for solid waste. Tourism Vancouver has observed extensive innovation and investment by its members as a result of Metro Vancouver’s disposal bans. Many tourism businesses are responding to disposal bans and other waste regulations in innovative ways. Tourism Vancouver leverages the green brand to attract conferences and events and having waste reduction and other sustainability programs in place gives Tourism Vancouver a distinct bidding advantage. Tourism Vancouver receives consistent feedback that visitors are impressed by the region’s natural beauty and cleanliness. City of Calgary Policy and Regulatory Environment Like Metro Vancouver, the City of Calgary has a zero waste vision and has implemented a range of policy and regulatory measures to advance that vision. The City of Calgary collects waste and recyclables from single-family residences and some additional customers, operates a series of drop-off recycling depots and operates three landfills. The City has invested $143 million in an organics composting facility, has a disposal ban program in place if excess recyclables are present in garbage loads dropped off at the City’s landfills, and has implemented a bylaw requiring multi-family and commercial generators to source separate recyclables including organics. In 2014, a private garbage transfer station opened just outside of the City of Calgary. The City of Calgary has no solid waste regulatory authority related to the operation of the private transfer station or the haulers that collect waste within the City of Calgary and deliver it to the private transfer station. Since the private transfer station opened, waste flows into the City of Calgary system have dropped by about a third or 200,000 tonnes per year. The drop has been primarily in the commercial sector. The following impacts were reported by interviewees:

• reduced effectiveness of disposal bans, and potentially reduced incentive for generators to recycle;



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• reduced ability for the City of Calgary to set garbage tipping fees to encourage recycling; • increased barriers to entry for waste and recycling service providers; • reduced understanding of waste diversion performance due to lack of data from private

facilities; • reduced revenue to the City of Calgary and consequent service impacts to residents and

businesses; and • benefits to large haulers using the private transfer station and disadvantages to smaller

haulers that do not have access to the transfer station. Interviewees suggested that a regulatory environment requiring transparency and accountability would be an important improvement for recycling and waste haulers in Calgary. They also suggested that measures to level the playing field with respect to garbage disposal were needed. ALTERNATIVES This is an information report so no alternatives are provided. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The case studies help illustrate the importance of the Metro Vancouver policy and regulatory environment, including the bylaws before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration, to minimizing waste and stimulating innovation and economic growth within the region. The case studies will be forwarded to the Minister for his information. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Metro Vancouver has prepared a series of case studies to illustrate the importance of updates to the Metro Vancouver solid waste regulatory framework, including two bylaws currently before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. Following receipt of the case studies by the Board, they will be forwarded to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for information. Attachment: Recycling and Waste Case Studies (Orbit # 28428472)

• Solid Waste System Overview – Recycling Success Stories • Emterra Environmental – Recycling Success Stories • London Drugs – Recycling Success Stories • Merlin Plastics – Recycling Success Stories • Retail Council of Canada – Recycling Success Stories • Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste – Recycling Success Stories • Tourism Vancouver – Recycling Success Stories • City of Calgary –Recycling and Waste Case Study 28362108


Introduction This article provides a summary of a conversation with three individuals that have been involved in waste and recycling in the region for decades. The article summarizes how they view the importance of Metro Vancouver’s policy and regulatory environment in advancing waste diversion and effective waste management in the region. The article also describes how Metro Vancouver’s role integrates with others involved in waste and recycling management. These individuals are:

• Allen Lynch, Canadianrepresentative to the Solid WasteAssociation of North America(SWANA) International Boardof Directors, as well as formerManager of the North ShoreRecycling Program and pastPresident of SWANA’s PacificChapter;

• Brock Macdonald, CEO ofthe Recycling Council of BCand formerly CommunicationsManager for Product Care BC; and

• Michael Zarbl, Executive Directorof the Major Appliance Recycling

Roundtable (MARR) and formerly Director of Operations for Recycle BC and Senior District Manager for Waste Management.

Metro Vancouver Recycling Success StoriesMetro Vancouver Overview FEBRUARY 2019

ATTACHMENT


Overview of Solid Waste Management in Metro VancouverSolid waste generated within Metro Vancouver is managed under an integrated system with collaboration by all levels of governments. Services and infrastructure are also provided by the private sector and a number of not-for-profit associations.

Within this system, Metro Vancouver is responsible for waste reduction and recycling planning as well as disposal of the solid waste generated by residents, businesses and institutions. Specifically, Metro Vancouver:

• Coordinates the long-range planning process for recycling and disposing of solid waste in the region. This includes establishing and monitoring waste diversion targets;

• Advocates to the federal and provincial governments for initiatives to reduce waste, including expanded Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs;

• Establishes regulations that support waste diversion targets and sustainability goals;

• Works collaboratively with

member municipalities and other stakeholders to provide waste management services to the region; and

• Funds and manages the development and operations of regional solid waste infrastructure including transfer stations and the Waste-to-Energy Facility.

Other organizations that play key roles in the oversight of solid waste management and regulation within Metro Vancouver are:

• The Province of BC: Under the Environmental Management Act, the BC government requires that all regional districts prepare and submit solid waste management plans. In addition, the provincial Recycling Regulation outlines the requirements for product stewardship in BC;

• Member municipalities: Metro Vancouver is made up of 21 member municipalities, one electoral district and one First Nation. These entities manage solid waste and recycling collection services primarily for single family residents in the region;

• The private sector: A network of private businesses provides related services, including collection, brokerage and processing of recyclable materials, as well as infrastructure for recycling facilities and operation of transfer and disposal facilities;

• Stewardship programs: There are 22 product stewardship programs in BC, each of which ensures that specific items are recovered and recycled;

• Other not-for-profit organizations: A number of other non-profit organizations, most notably the Recycling Council of BC and industry associations like SWANA, assist in educating residents and businesses about the solid waste system and liaise with local governments on behalf of their members.

The blueprint for Metro Vancouver’s overall waste reduction, recycling and waste management system is contained within the 2011 Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan. The plan outlines a number of ambitious waste reduction strategies and actions and sets a 20202 target of 80% diversion.

Metro Vancouver Recycling Success Stories

2Zero Waste Committee

Background and history Driven by a lack of land base and a green-minded population, reducing waste has long been a priority in BC and Metro Vancouver. Accordingly, Metro Vancouver’s overarching vision is that of building a sustainable, livable region with environmental sustainability, and by extension waste diversion, being core elements of that vision. Some of the historical highlights leading to the current solid environment in Metro Vancouver are as follows:

In 1974 the GVS&DD Act was amended to provide Metro Vancouver the authority to plan and manage waste for the region. Prior to that time, waste disposal was managed by individual local government typically at local landfills.

The regional district created its first solid waste management plan in 1985. The 1985 plan laid the foundations of the current solid waste management system in the region, established a vision for a regionally managed waste system and mapped out the key elements of the region’s solid waste infrastructure. It also identified diversion as a priority.

Following extensive consultation, a new regional solid waste management plan was approved in 1995. The plan set a 50% diversion

target for the region. The 1995 Plan also strengthened Metro Vancouver’s role in the regulation of the management of municipal solid waste in the region. In 1995, the Province of British Columbia changed the GVS&DD Act to provide authority to implement the Generator Levy. In 1996, the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw 181, 1996 put in place.

In 1997, Metro Vancouver implemented its first disposal ban, restricting corrugated cardboard from regional disposal facilities.

Disposal bans for office paper and newspaper followed in 1998.

Between 2008 and 2018, the Disposal Ban Program expanded significantly with recyclable and hazardous materials added as to the list of banned materials as Metro Vancouver confirmed that alternate options were available.

In 2011, Metro Vancouver’s current Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan was approved by the Minister of Environment. The plan established the most ambitious waste diversion targets to date.



The waste and recycling industry sector has expanded in scope and diversity over the past 30 years The RCBC Recycling Hotline is a telephone service that provides Metro Vancouver residents and businesses with information about waste diversion options within their communities. Whereas early calls to the hotline were simple in nature and typically short--for example: “Can this item be recycled, or

is it garbage?”— over the past three decades, phone calls to the hotline have become more and more complex. Today’s callers are often on the phone for 30 minutes or more while hotline operators answer multiple questions and share information about numerous waste diversion options.

This shift reflects the growth in both scope and diversity of the region’s waste and recycling sector. Now, 22 EPR programs are in place under the provincial Recycling Regulation and there are more and more private recycling businesses, and related options, for residents and businesses to divert waste.

Metro Vancouver’s Disposal Bans work in concert with the Provincial Recycling RegulationMetro Vancouver’s disposal bans work in concert with the Province’s Recycling Regulation. As materials have been added to the Recycling

Regulation, disposal bans have been put in place in the Metro Vancouver solid waste system. These regulatory measures have supported

the development of local recycling. Some examples of ways the regulations have supported recycling service providers include:



• Growing City, a relatively new company that offers organics collection to office towers, is one example of a company has benefited from the organics ban.

• FoamOnly, a Vancouver-based business that collects, processes and markets expanded

polystyrene (EPS) has grown rapidly as a result of the EPS ban.

• Merlin Plastics and Green-by-Nature are two local recycling companies that became industry leaders largely due to the Recycling Regulation and the work of Recycle BC.

• ENCORP created several new streams of material, driving the private sector to find markets.

• A sub-industry of educators—both paid and volunteer—has cropped up to respond to event planners who want to ensure that waste is diverted at their events.

The waste system’s evolution has encouraged investments in technology and infrastructureSolid waste regulations have also incentivized private sector operators to invest in technology and infrastructure. Some examples are:

• Merlin and others have purchased optical sorters to reduce contamination and maximize recyclables recovery;

• Haulers are investing in cameras and scales on trucks and using tablets and software for tracking.

We are also seeing gravity unlocking containers and cameras inside containers to monitor for contamination;

• Haulers are placing multiple bins in buildings so that recyclable material can be separated on site;

• Recollect, started in Metro Vancouver, works with governments across North America to provide a technology platform to allow government to

engage with residents on waste and recycling;

• RCBC’s Recyclopedia App is going nationwide for Product Care;

• Recycle Smart, is using technology from Europe that fits waste bins with internal sensors so that they only get tipped when needed. This technology was first introduced in Vancouver and is now being expanded across North America.

A harmonious solid waste system with regional oversight ensures low contaminationHaving a waste and recycling system that is consistent across municipalities greatly assists with the educational component of waste diversion. Specifically, when residents move from one municipality to another with the region, they are already familiar with the system and don’t need to be re-educated. Metro Vancouver and its member municipalities as well as

Recycle BC have made great strides in ensuring that there is consistency across communities with respect to recycling program logistics and education.

The strong and integrated regulatory environment in Metro Vancouver further contributes to a “clean” recyclable stream and the desirability of Metro Vancouver’s recyclable materials. In Metro Vancouver,

inspectors are stationed at all the public disposal and transfer facilities and Recycle BC, under the Recycling Regulation, through contracts with municipalities, can fine blue box material haulers for loads containing more than three percent contamination.

As a result, contamination in the recyclable streams originating in Metro Vancouver



is uncharacteristically low and recyclables originating here are thus able to find viable markets worldwide, including in China, which has recently tightened its quality requirements.

This is in contrast to other jurisdictions across North America that are unable to market

their recyclables to China and other markets due to excessive contamination. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), for example, bans are in place but haulers have access to private transfer stations where there are no inspectors on site, making it hard to catch offenders. Further, there

is a patchwork system for recycling whereby GTA municipalities each have distinct recycling programs and residents need to relearn the system if they move within the region. As a result, the GTA experiences high contamination in its recyclable materials, much of which is being landfilled.

A regionally regulated system enables financially sustainability and gives private and public sector organizations the ability to plan for the futureThe solid waste regulatory framework in Metro Vancouver is integral to the long-term viability of the overall waste management system. Having information about the volume and types of waste generated allows regional and municipal governments to plan for the costs of services and infrastructure, adjust to shifts in the market and plan future activities. Radical changes to this system—for example, opening the door to private sector transfer stations—would jeopardize the regulatory structure and undermine the ability of the region to achieve its diversion goals.

Metro Vancouver providing transfers station infrastructure benefits municipalities by providing economies of scale, and centralizing contracting activities. For example, the North Shore Transfer Station serves all of the communities on the North Shore with operations contracted by Metro Vancouver through an overall region-wide operations contract. Metro Vancouver recently developed a recycling depot as part of the transfer station, replacing a stand-alone facility operated on behalf of the three North Shore municipalities. The new facility costs 1/3 of the

stand-alone facility and provides broader recycling services than in the past.

With transparent tipping fees and access to reliable quantities of clean recyclable materials, the overall system also supports certainty in the private sector, by allowing businesses to plan ahead and invest in infrastructure and technology in order to grow their businesses. In addition, regulations can support the private sector in their customer relations by providing incentive and rationale to provide new bins and require source separation.



Looking ahead: a circular economy will support sustainability and competition Metro Vancouver and its solid waste partners are looking ahead to a future where recycling programs follow a circular economy model, whereby processors seek out opportunities to put recyclable materials back into the system as new products. This model creates secondary and tertiary opportunities, supports local businesses and creates jobs.

With initiatives already underway to support this approach, and a solid foundation of infrastructure, knowledge base and necessary regulatory support, the concept of a circular economy is the natural next step to Metro Vancouver’s 40+ year commitment to waste diversion. Further, as the next step in the process, creating a truly

circular economy for recyclables holds great promise for the region’s social, environmental and economic sustainability.



Students removing invasive species in Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area

Overview Emterra Environmental was founded in 1976 by Vancouver-based entrepreneur Emmie Leung. Originally operating as International Paper Industries, the company began as a paper recycling collection service with a single panel van used to collect newspaper and cardboard. Over the past four decades, Emterra has gradually expanded operations, first within British Columbia (BC) and then across Canada and into the United States. Today it is one of Canada’s three largest recycling-focused waste management companies.

Emterra provides recyclables collection, processing and marketing services, as well as yard waste, household organics, and solid waste collection and disposal services to municipalities and businesses.

It operates 15 material recovery facilities across Canada, nine of which are in BC. These facilities process multi-stream recyclables and single-stream recyclables collected from residents and businesses, sorting and cleaning the recyclables for further processing or manufacturing of new products and packaging. The company employs more than 1,000 people in Canada, 350 of them in BC. Many of Emterra’s central corporate services – such as its commodities marketingdepartment – are operated from BC.

Emterra founder and CEO Emmie Leung and Vice President, BC Operations Ed Walsh spoke to us about how Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulations create a level playing field for Emterra to compete and succeed.

Tipping fees lower barriers to entry and create a level playing field for haulers and recycling businessesThoughtful regulation of solid waste is integral to lowering the barriers to entry faced by companies in the solid waste industry like Emterra, and ensuring that those companies have a level playing field upon which to compete. The Metro Vancouver region has always had been a leader in waste reduction and recycling policy and regulation. As early as 1980, one of

the first curbside newspaper recycling programs in Canada was launched for residents of Vancouver’s North Shore communities.

The ongoing development of Metro Vancouver’s regulatory framework continues to lower barriers to entry and ensure a level playing field. For example, the weight based

tipping fees that Metro Vancouver offers commercial haulers provide incentives for those haulers to use Metro Vancouver’s transfer stations where disposal bans are in place to encourage recycling. When competing haulers utilize the same transfer stations, those haulers will have similar disposal costs and face the same regulatory requirements; with

Emmie Leung, Founder and CEO

Metro Vancouver Recycling Success StoriesEmterra Environmental FEBRUARY 2019


Emterra’s Surrey Material Recovery Facility processes 250 tonnes per day of mixed recyclables.

such a levelled playing field, haulers compete on the basis of the quality and efficiency of the service they are capable of delivering when vying for collection contracts (rather than competing on the basis of which hauler has the cheapest disposal option).

By incenting waste haulers to use to Metro Vancouver’s waste disposal system, there is less GHG emissions as waste hauling trucks travel less to use Metro Vancouver facilities when compared to using out of region waste disposal facilities. Reducing GHG

emissions from the waste management sector aligns with regional, provincial and national greenhouse gas reduction strategies.

Predictable and transparent tipping fees also lower barriers and ensure a level playing field for recyclers and waste haulers due to the availability of information on tipping fees. Knowing that all waste haulers dispose of waste at transfer stations with tipping fees and disposal bans that are set and well publicized by Metro Vancouver gives recyclers and consumers confidence

that all haulers and generators of waste and recyclables will be subject to rules that encourage recycling. As new disposal bans are put in place, new recycling needs arise, which incents haulers and recycling companies to develop capacity and technology to serve those needs. The predictability of this process incents recyclers to invest in processing equipment and ensures that recycling companies compete on the basis of ability to process and market recyclables.

Importance of encouraging recycling by commercial and institutional generatorsThe largest source of recyclable materials in Metro Vancouver (and in any other urban area) is commercial and institutional generators. Reflecting this dynamic, volumes from these generators also represent the majority of materials processed at Emterra’s Vancouver material recovery facilities. The continuing success of Emterra’s Vancouver material recovery facilities (like other operators of such facilities in BC) depends upon Metro Vancouver continuing to establish policy, regulatory tools, and targets that encourage recycling in the commercial and institutional sectors.

At present, recycling rates among Metro Vancouver commercial and institutional generators remain low (although higher than other jurisdictions in Canada). This means there is significant opportunity to increase the diversion rate among these generators (which would be good for the environment), generate additional volumes of recyclable material (which would be good for recyclers) and preserve finite natural resources by keeping existing end-of-life materials in use in a circular economy and out of nature and

landfills. Metro Vancouver’s newest bylaws support this objective. In particular:

• The Hauler Licensing bylaw would require that haulers ensure their customers (including commercial and institutional generators) have access to recycling bins (rather than only a single garbage bin). Consistent recycling services will increase opportunities for commercial and institutional generators to recycle. More recycling opportunities should increase the diversion rate and the total volumes of recyclable material generated by commercial and institutional generators. More materials recycled will create a more circular economy by keeping resources in continuous use.

• The Generator Levy creates additional incentive for waste haulers to direct garbage from commercial and institutional generators to Metro Vancouver’s waste disposal system (where disposal bans are in place to encourage recycling).

• Proposed updates to Bylaw 181 ensure that commercial and

institutional generators continue to have incentive to source-separate their recyclable materials while allowing for high performance private mixed waste material recovery facilities. Private material recovery facilities processing mixed waste from residential and commercial and institutional sources must at a minimum recover 25% of incoming waste for either material or energy recovery.

The importance of promoting source separation by commercial and institutional generators has been highlighted by China’s recent introduction of its “National Sword” program. Under that program, China will no longer permit the import of recyclable material unless that material has very low levels of contamination. Source-separated recyclables have far lower levels of contamination than recyclables recovered from mixed-waste. Reliable access to source-separated recyclables (which exhibit lower contamination levels) ensure material recovery facilities will be able to produce recyclables that meet low contamination levels demanded by the National Sword program and thus maintain buyers of recyclables.

2 Zero Waste Committee


Importance of disposal bans in encouraging greater recyclingThe banning of specified materials from the municipal waste stream encourages greater recycling, which increases security of supply for, and confidence in investing among, recyclers.

Disposal bans require that generators find recycling solutions for the materials subject to the ban. Recyclers and waste haulers respond to such demand by investing in new facilities and collection equipment and increasing research and development, which they can be confident will be supplied with raw material due to the existence of the ban.

To be effective at incenting investment in research and development and new facilities and collection equipment, disposal bans must be supported by the other aspects of the regulatory framework that Metro Vancouver has established – namely, measures (such

as the predictable tipping fees and the Generator Levy) that discourage disposal of waste outside of the regional system.

Emterra has witnessed the effectiveness of disposal bans in Metro Vancouver, and has experienced the incentive to invest in response to the disposal bans.

On January 1, 2015, Metro Vancouver banned organics from solid waste. On July 1 of that year, Metro Vancouver began levying a 50% tipping fee surcharge for loads deposited at its facilities that exceeded 25% food scraps matter. This ban and its enforcement resulted in more than 400,000 tonnes of organic matter being turned into compost in Metro Vancouver in 2016, a 30% increase over pre-ban volumes. Emterra understands that the increased security of supply of organic materials resulting from the

ban incented a number of companies operating within and outside of Metro Vancouver to invest in expansion of composting facilities.

On July 1, 2018, Metro Vancouver banned expanded polystyrene (EPS) from the waste stream. The ban involves levying a 100% surcharge for loads deposited at its facilities that exceeded 20% EPS. This ban and its enforcement incented Emterra to invest in the acquisition and installation of a new machine at one of its Vancouver facilities that densifies EPS (reducing its volume by over 90% by removing air). The densifier is one of the largest available machine for purchase on the market, and Emterra expects that it will be able to operate at full capacity as a result of the EPS ban.


Incentive to invest and compete diminished without security of supply The security of supply of recyclable materials from commercial and institutional generators in Metro Vancouver – which is created and supported by Metro Vancouver’s regulatory framework – gives recycling companies like Emterra confidence to invest and the opportunity to compete.

In contrast to Metro Vancouver, in southern Ontario, private transfer stations operate nearby municipally-owned transfer stations, and tipping fees at municipally-owned transfer stations are some of the highest in the country. Many of the private transfer stations utilize landfills in Michigan, where disposal fees are extremely low. In fact, waste imports into Michigan from Ontario in 2017 increased by 19%

over 2016. Since 2012, waste imported into the state from Ontario has risen by 66% to over 3.2 million tonnes. This data reinforces why it is crucial for policymakers to carefully consider the mechanisms that affect the movement of waste between jurisdictions. Low disposal costs permit private transfer stations to charge low tipping fees and compete aggressively. These low fees incent haulers servicing commercial and institutional generators to direct waste to private transfer stations; there is less incentive upon haulers to pressure generators to source-separate recyclable materials. Furthermore, there is a lack of enforcement of any regulatory initiatives requiring haulers to facilitate recycling by commercial and institutional generators. There is

also limited tracking of commercial and institutional disposal and recycling quantities, and thus a poor understanding of waste diversion effectiveness.

The dynamic in southern Ontario reduces the security of supply of recyclable materials from commercial and institutional generators. Instead, the steady supply of recyclable materials in Ontario comes primarily from residential generators (which generate much smaller volumes). As a result, recyclers have less incentive to invest in recycling collection and processing infrastructure and research and development.

Supporting Future GrowthEmterra’s success in Metro Vancouver has supported its growth and expansion into other geographies, which now include Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Michigan. Success in Metro Vancouver has been meaningful to a number of different types of market participants with whom Emterra has partnered in other regions. Governments and other customers outside Metro Vancouver seeking waste management solutions have been impressed by Emterra’s industrial capability and know-how, which were earned through extensive learning-by-doing over four decades

in Metro Vancouver. Lenders have financed Emterra’s expansion based on its success operating profitably in Metro Vancouver. Waste haulers have partnered with Emterra to provide value-added recycling services to their commercial and institutional customers. And waste generators (including major Canadian retailers) have partnered with Emterra to increase their waste diversion and recycling rates (including assessing the recyclability of their products and packaging), and assist in meeting corporate social responsibility objectives related to the environment.

Emterra has leveraged the success it has achieved in Metro Vancouver’s competitive environment to grow from a start-up into one the premier recycling-focused waste management companies in Canada.

SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS FOR A LIVABLE REGIONZero Waste Committee

Overview What does it take to recycle over 100 million lbs of material? Dedication, and a history of working to do things better. London Drugs is a Canadian-owned department store chain that began in 1945 with a single pharmacy in Vancouver and that now has stores in 35 major markets throughout British

Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. London Drugs’ 80 stores employ more than 7,000 staff and serve more than 45 million customers each year.

At the core of London Drugs business is the pharmacy, but London Drugs

was an early innovator, offering up multiple product streams when other stores were selling just one genre of product. Today, London Drugs stores offer a full service computer department, cameras, cosmetics, furniture, food, high quality photo finishing and home appliances.

London Drugs has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and waste minimizationLondon Drugs’ commitment to sustainability dates back to 1983, when the chain asked researchers at the University of British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology to develop a water effluent system to clean the water from its photo developing operation.

In subsequent years, London Drugs continued working to minimize its environmental impact. The company

utilizes a responsible purchasing policy as well as a vendor responsibility code, encouraging vendors to maximize environmental and social benefits in its supply chains.

In 2008, London Drugs formalized its commitment to sustainability by creating ‘What’s the Green Deal?’ a corporate sustainability initiative with

direct customer benefits. The ‘What’s the Green Deal?’ program highlights products with environmentally preferable benefits, encourages in-store recycling and offers tips on living and shopping a little greener.

Metro Vancouver Recycling Success StoriesLondon Drugs FEBRUARY 2019


Waste reduction and recycling are core components of London Drugs’ sustainability commitmentWaste reduction, including recycling, is one the London Drugs’ four sustainability pillars identified in its Green Deal program. The others are Energy & Operations, Upstream Purchasing and Communication & Education.

London Drugs began its ‘Bring Back the Pack’ initiative in 2008, encouraging customers to bring back packaging from any product sold in its stores for recycling. London Drugs collects a wide array of recyclable materials, ‘beyond the blue box’, including used electronics, small appliances, packaging materials, batteries, light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, Styrofoam and expired medications.

Over the past decade, London Drugs has recycled more than 113 million pounds of waste. Its stores average 93.9 percent waste diversion through internal recycling programs. Diversion rates at London Drugs stores in Metro Vancouver are among the highest in Canada in part as result of a strong sustainability culture and local governments that support waste diversion through infrastructure, regulations and education.

Offering recycling drop-off as a service to customers has had the added benefit of increasing sales at London Drugs stores. A recent study by Call2Recycle showed that more than 60 percent of people who dropped off batteries for recycling at the store stayed to purchase another product.

Over the past decade, London Drugs has also reduced its waste hauling costs dramatically. Many stores went from filling four six-yard garbage bins a week to one six-yard bin every two months or less. In its Woodward’s location in downtown Vancouver, London Drugs produces only one bag of garbage per day, requiring bin collection only once per year.



Metro Vancouver’s regulations support London Drugs’ commitment to recycling, which in turn gives the company a competitive advantageInitially, London Drugs’ commitment to sustainability was a competitive challenge. Businesses and haulers were not required to separate out recyclables, and that meant London Drugs and others who chose to do so voluntarily did not have the leveraging power to negotiate competitive waste contracts. Metro Vancouver’s disposal bans have since leveled the playing field, ensuring that all major haulers provide recycling services along with waste collection services. This allows

London Drugs to negotiate competitive hauling and recycling contracts and also to confidently invest in the necessary infrastructure to continue diverting waste.

Further, with its waste diversion programs already in place, London Drugs has an advantage as more material bans are introduced. While other businesses are working to catch up with the new regulations, London

Drugs already has the equipment and systems to deal with an increasing quantity and array of recyclable materials. As one example, each store has an on-site compactor for plastics and corrugated cardboard.

The sustainability climate and green mindset in BC contributes to London Drugs success Throughout its history of waste diversion and other environmental programs, London Drugs has placed an emphasis on education—both of its customers and employees. As a result,

staff and customers contribute to the success of the program by ensuring recyclables produced by London Drugs are clean and segregated to maximize their value. This is particularly true in

BC, where an overall climate of sustainability and support from local and regional governments provide the foundation for success in waste diversion.


London Drugs’ brand success and customer loyalty are tied to its sustainability promise London Drugs has been recognized for its sustainability ethic and good corporate citizenship. In 2018, London Drugs’ was granted the eCommerce Social Impact Award from Canada Post as well as the City of Surrey’s Greenest City Award and the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence for Greenest City Leadership (organization category). These awards recognize London Drugs’ sustainability and, in particular,

recycling initiatives. Also, London Drugs has ranked first in BC Business and Ipsos Reid’s annual “Most Loved Brands” poll for the past two years in a row, and has placed in the top two since the poll started in 2014.

These awards demonstrate how effectively London Drugs has built a brand based on trust and loyalty. Customers, employees and the

greater business community recognize and appreciate that London Drugs consistently works to do the right thing for the environment and for community. Recycling and the ‘What’s the Green Deal?’ program have played a big role in cultivating brand loyalty and contributed to London Drugs’ overall success.



Overview Merlin Plastics was established in the late 1980s by Vancouver entrepreneurs Gary and Brian Strong and Tony Moucachen. The company began operations in a 2,000 square foot facility located in Langley, British Columbia, initially processing post-industrial plastics. Two years later, Merlin expanded to a 10,000 square foot facility in Delta, BC and began building a post-consumer processing line to handle plastic containers collected through the municipal blue box programs, which were starting up at the same time.

Today, Merlin Plastics operates two facilities in Metro Vancouver:

• The original facility in Delta, whichis approximately 145,000 squarefeet in size and processes highand low density polyethylene andpolypropylene into 60 millionpounds (27,000 tonnes) annually ofhigh-grade pelletized plastic for avariety of end uses; and

• A 180,000 square foot multi-materialsorting plant in New Westminsterthat processes approximately 150million pounds (68,000 tonnes)

annually of all types of plastic as well as glass and metal containers from residential blue box programs.

Merlin has expanded operations throughout North America and is now part of the Merlin Group of Companies, which operates five additional processing facilities with locations in Alberta (2), Oregon, California and Ontario. The Merlin Group employs close to 400 people, more than 100 of whom work in BC. The largest plastics processor in Canada, Merlin was ranked the fourth largest post-consumer plastics processor in North America by Plastics News, and is the only one to process all types of plastic. The Merlin Group processes more than 300 million pounds (136,000 tonnes) of discarded plastic packaging annually.

Merlin Plastics is also a founding partner of Green by Nature EPR, a recycling service provider that manages post-collection recyclable packaging from residential programs under contract to Recycle BC.

Merlin Plastics FEBRUARY 2019

Tony Moucachen, President and CEO


The environmentally progressive culture in BC and Metro Vancouver has played a key role in Merlin’s successMerlin credits the ‘green’ culture and leadership that prevails in BC as playing a major role in the company’s success. Driven by an environmentally conscious population, BC’s provincial and local governments began taking steps more than three decades ago to ensure that recyclable materials were diverted from the waste stream, as well as to support businesses participating in responsible waste diversion.

The BC Ministry of Environment were early leaders across Canada and globally in the movement to reduce

waste, introducing the concept of extended producer responsibility thirty years ago with the country’s first bottle deposit system.

Further, when Merlin began operations in 1987, the BC Ministry of Environment was a direct supporter, providing start-up funds when the recycling company was unable to raise funds from privately held financial institutions.

Regional and municipal governments played key roles as well. In the late

1980’s, residential blue box recycling programs were introduced throughout the region, fueled by the desire of the local community to contribute to waste reduction. Merlin’s early supply stream of plastic milk jugs came from the blue box programs throughout Metro Vancouver. And when Metro Vancouver put in place its 1995 Solid Waste Management Plan, establishing targets for waste diversion and recycling, Merlin was further incented to invest in infrastructure and develop markets for additional types of plastic.

Merlin has leveraged its business success in BC to expand operations across Canada and North AmericaIn 2000, Merlin began expanding operations across Canada and into the United States, leveraging its business success to establish facilities in Alberta, Ontario and California and to invest in a recycling partnership in Oregon. Expansion has been driven by access to markets as well as access to funding, as is the case in California, where Merlin received the largest single grant ever given out to a plastics recycling company by the state: $4.9 million,

to create Peninsula Recycling. At Peninsula, Merlin was the first plastics recycler in California to receive FDA certification for recycled PET pellets that would allow them to be recycled into drinking bottles.

Merlin’s expansion has been possible because of the experience and expertise the company acquired in BC, including an understanding of process, innovation of successful recycling

technologies, development of relationships with suppliers, customers and others key stakeholders, as well as a solid reputation based on over a decade of growth and attention to product quality.



Continued investments in research and development, equipment and technology have created new markets for MerlinMerlin has made significant and ongoing investments in the people, processes and technologies required to keep up with a constantly evolving market for recycled plastic.

In 2014, Merlin created a quality control branch at its head office in Delta, BC. Here, a team of research and development engineers tests and refines Merlin’s product for strength, flexibility, elongation, stiffness and other qualities required for specific end applications. This department provides engineering expertise for the entire Merlin group of companies.

At the time of Merlin’s expansion, no turnkey equipment existed on the market for this type of customized quality control testing. Therefore, Merlin’s engineering team worked to develop several pieces of equipment in house and has modified others. Merlin’s quality control equipment includes an infrared machine that tests the quantity of specific plastic grades within a mixture, a ‘bubble maker’ that tests film plastic strength, and state-

of the art optical sorting equipment, which allows Merlin to sort feedstock by material and colour to customize the end product for its customers. Merlin holds several patents for its innovative recycling technologies.

By constantly innovating, Merlin has been able to expand its customer base across North America and adapt to a

fluid market. Packaging, for example, which is a core end market for Merlin’s product, is constantly changing in design. Being able to offer highly customized mixes of plastic flake and pellets allows Merlin to adapt with the market as requirements change. Merlin can also supply plastic for other unique end-uses, such as a variety of plastic automotive parts.

Merlin’s innovations contributed to Green By Nature’s success in securing the Recycle BC contract, resulting in a $32 million investment and 527 new jobsIn 2014, Green by Nature EPR, of which Merlin is a founding partner, was granted the contract by Recycle BC to manage the post-collection recyclables from BC residential collection programs.

Green by Nature has invested a total of $32 million including the development of a state-of-the-art sortation facility in New Westminster, BC, the largest such facility on the west coast. The new plant has an annual sorting

capacity of 150 million pounds (68,000 tonnes) and employs approximately 60 people. It accepts all types of container packaging and waste paper from the residential recycling programs in Metro Vancouver.


Merlin’s attention to quality has expanded the market for recycled plasticsMerlin is committed to the concept of upcycling, which strives to turn waste materials into new products of better quality or for better environmental uses. By continuously developing processes and technologies that improve on product quality, Merlin has been able to enter new markets and open the door for new applications for recycled plastic. For example, as a result of Merlin’s patented pre-wash

technology, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided Merlin with a letter of non-objection for some of Merlin’s flake and pellet products, effectively allowing customers to use these materials in food packaging applications.

Merlin’s commitment to creating a circular economy for plastics has also created partnerships and

expanded markets for recycled plastic. Vancouver-based Lush Cosmetics, which has a strong commitment to sustainability, partnered with Merlin to ensure that its plastic packaging can be recycled. Further, Lush packages some of its cosmetic products in containers made by a local manufacturer who uses 100% post consumer plastics, some of which are supplied by Merlin.

Metro Vancouver’s waste and recycling programs support Merlin’s commitment to qualityMetro Vancouver’s solid waste programs and regulations have created the conditions for Merlin to acquire a feedstock that is consistent and reliable in both quantity and quality.

In Metro Vancouver, higher tipping fees and disposal bans incent haulers and their commercial sector customers to separate out plastics for recycling. As a result, there is significantly more material available in BC per capita than in Ontario, for example, where commercial haulers are not required

to tip locally and can take waste, including recyclable plastics, out of the province to dispose of it more economically in Michigan.

The quality of material coming into Merlin’s facilities is also comparably higher in BC, thanks to an environmentally conscious culture and established diversion programs. Whereas in other jurisdictions contamination rates are above 10 percent, in BC they are consistently in the single digits. In an increasingly

competitive marketplace where quality control has tightened up, operating in BC is aligned with Merlin’s corporate social and environmental values and has benefited the business in numerous ways over the last thirty years.



Overview The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is a not-for-profit association that represents more than 45,000 stores and more than two-thirds of all retail sales within Canada. RCC members include independent, regional, national mass and specialty retail businesses and online merchants in general merchandise, drug and grocery.

As advocates for the retail industry, RCC works with all levels of government and other stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in the sector, promote and sustain retail investments, and enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. RCC also provides its members with training, best practices, networking and industry information.

We met with Greg Wilson, RCC’s Director, Government Relations (BC) to discuss ways the solid waste regulatory climate in Metro Vancouver supports the business objectives of RCC members.

Retail Council of Canada FEBRUARY 2019

Sustainability policies and regulations are a priority to RCCRCC works with federal, provincial and local governments on regulations and policies that impact the retail sector and member businesses. Particular concern is paid to those issues that:

• Add costs for consumers or operational complexity for retailers

• Affect the reputation of the retail industry

• Establish a precedent that may be emulated by other governments across thecountry

• Support the growth of Canada’s retail industry

• RCC has identified sustainability, including waste reduction, as one of the sixkey areas of concern to members.

RCC and its members have a societal interest in reducing wasteRCC has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision that reflects the evolving values of its members, which are in turn informed by consumer demand and government regulation. At present, RCC is seeing and responding to a desire to reduce plastic and food waste through reduction, recycling and other means. The recovery of end-of-life textile waste is also an emerging concern.


British Columbia and Metro Vancouver are leaders in waste diversionWithin the Canadian retail sector, BC and Metro Vancouver are recognized as leaders in waste diversion. This leadership derives from a sustainability mindset amongst citizens combined with recognition of limited landfill capacity. In combination, these forces have historically provided the impetus for government action to

reduce and divert waste. As a result, the infrastructure to support retailers’ solid waste diversion efforts exists in Metro Vancouver in ways it doesn’t elsewhere. In smaller jurisdictions in BC, for example, there is less control and oversight of the waste flow. In these jurisdictions, RCC sees more movement of wastes out of the region

and less capture and diversion of recyclable materials.

By taking innovative approaches to waste diversion, Metro Vancouver is creating a body of knowledge that can be shared, paving the way for other jurisdictions.

Metro Vancouver’s harmonized approach to regulating waste benefits the retail industryIThe Metro Vancouver regional district regulates waste disposal for its 21 member municipalities, creating a harmonized system across municipal borders. This approach makes it easy for businesses to design internal systems for waste diversion, negotiate waste and recycling contracts and to comply with regulations. Further,

haulers based within Metro Vancouver work with the same regulatory requirements and are thus able to provide consistent services and help educate customers.

By contrast, in jurisdictions where solid waste regulations are not harmonized municipalities often

create independent waste bylaws and programs. This creates operational challenges for retailers, particularly chains that have stores in multiple municipalities within one region, each with different solid waste regulations.



Disposal bans drive innovation and investment by retailersWhen introducing a new ban, Metro Vancouver thoroughly researches the recycling viability of the material and takes a gradual approach that educates impacted businesses and allows them look ahead and plan accordingly.

This gradual approach also drives innovation and investment at the

store level and creates opportunities for retail businesses to provide value-added services. For example, when Metro Vancouver introduced the ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS), several large retailers responded by purchasing densifiers (machines that reduce EPS packaging to a fraction of its volume). Many stores now accept

EPS packaging back from customers for onsite processing. This contributes to the region’s overall waste diversion goals and enhances the reputation of participating retailers. The EPS ban supports businesses like Foam Only a private company located in Coquitlam that accepts EPS waste for processing and marketing.

Disposal Bans create new opportunities for businesses and charitiesDisposal bans have supported the creation or success of a number of private businesses in the region. For example, organics collectors and processors, such Recycling Alternative, have been able to grow as a result of

the reliable input stream created by the organics ban and its uptake among retailers.

Further, inspired by the motivation to reduce processing costs, grocers within

the region are looking to partner with local charities, such as food banks, and create opportunities to donate food waste in a way that is both safe and cost-effective.

Solid waste regulations help smaller retailers achieve their Corporate Social Responsibility goalsIn jurisdictions where bans and other waste regulations don’t exist, small and medium-sized businesses’ waste diversion efforts are often thwarted by hauling contract restrictions. Specifically, RCC has observed instances where small and medium sized retailers are locked into long-

term hauling contracts that do not include recycling services. This restriction is often at odds with retailers’ sustainability and corporate responsibility goals, yet as smaller accounts they lack the leveraging power to negotiate with their waste service providers.

While this is a concern in other jurisdictions, Metro Vancouver’s existing and proposed solid waste regulations ensure that all customers have access to recycling options via their hauling service providers.


A strong regulatory environment is necessary to fund the overall systemThe retail sector understands a strong regulatory environment as the means to providing the financial foundation for the overall waste system, and therefore beneficial over the long-term to business. Revenues from hauler licenses and generator levies will pay for services and infrastructure, including centralized processing and disposal facilities. Without the new regulations in place, these costs would be passed on to RCC members in the form of increasing hauling and tipping fees.

While cost is an important consideration for RCC and its members, retailers are ultimately interested in a system that balances a good environmental outcome with cost effectiveness. Metro Vancouver’s comprehensive regulatory system effectively creates such a system.


Overview Sea to Sky Soils is an organics composting and soils production facility operating just south of Pemberton, BC. Founded in 2013, Sea to Sky Soils is a joint venture of childhood friends Mateo Ocejo and Jaye-Jay Berggren and is a child business of Net Zero Waste, which Mateo founded in 2006. Net Zero Waste has been involved in the development and operation of

a number of composting facilities in various communities throughout British Columbia.

With a current capacity to process more than 25,000 tonnes of material per year, Sea to Sky Soils composts the residential organic waste from Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish and the North Shore communities, as well as yard debris from private landscapers

and organic food waste from several Whistler restaurants. The facility produces five varieties of high quality soil and compost that are sold back to landscapers, farmers and residents within the community.

We spoke with Mateo and Jaye-Jay about their business success with both Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste.

Sea to Sky Soils is premised on a cradle-to-cradle business modelThe main impetus for creating Sea to Sky Soils was to locally produce a nutrient-rich soil amendment for farmers, who were previously applying a mixture of chicken meal, which had to be shipped up from Abbotsford, and wood waste from the logging mill in Pemberton to their fields.

In addition, there had been no previously existing recycling option for green waste in the Sea to Sky corridor, and partners Mateo and Jaye-Jay saw an opportunity to provide a solution that would fill this need and make the best use of the organic material in the region.

By focusing on highest end use, Sea to Sky Soils has created a true cradle-to-cradle model that mimics the behaviour of the systems of nature, whereby waste from one life form becomes nutrition for another. Fully closing the loop to this system, Sea to Sky Soils grows micro-greens in its own compost mix and sells them to local restaurants. Sea to Sky Soils has annual sales of $60,000 in micro-greens.

Metro Vancouver Recycling Success StoriesSea to Sky Soils & Net Zero Waste FEBRUARY 2019


Sea to Sky Soils improves capacity for the Lil’wat Nation Sea to Sky Soils sited its facility on land belonging to the Lil’wat Nation, originally leasing a two-acre parcel from the Band. The site has since expanded to six acres and plans are underway to increase the size to ten acres in 2019. This arrangement injects a considerable amount of capital into the Lil’wat Nation’s economy; the current lease is valued at $100,000 per year with Sea to Sky Soils committed to a 25-year term.

Sea to Sky Soils’ investment in the First Nation goes well beyond the site lease. Aside from the leadership team of Mateo, Jaye-Jay and Operations Manager Scott Kerr, all ten employees at Sea to Sky Soils are Lil’wat Nation members. Employment at Sea to Sky Soils provides an option for full-time, year round work within the First Nation community.

Sea to Sky Soils is committed to continuing to work with the First Nation and to contributing to members’ education, employment

and overall capacity. The company is mindful that it operates in a way that is respectful of cultural differences and has supported a number of initiatives that benefit Lil’wat members, including agriculture and wellness programs and a medicine wheel / smudge for Elders. Sea to Sky Soils also consults with First Nation people on what indigenous plants should be grown onsite and has created a path showcasing those plants, thus giving recognition to landowners and testing how the indigenous plants grow in the soil.



Sea to Sky Soils benefits the local agricultural and landscaping industriesBefore Sea to Sky Soils began operating in the region, local farmers and landscapers were trucking topsoils and soil amendments up from the city, a distance of 150 km away with trucks then making the return journey empty. Sea to Sky Soils now offers five varieties of high-grade soils, mulches and compost for sale locally at affordable rates. This saves farmers money and reduces truck traffic on the highway, as well as CO2 emissions. Further, by placing an emphasis on the nutrient content of its product, Sea to Sky Soils has been able to produce an exceptionally high-yielding compost.

Net Zero Waste and Sea to Sky Soils’ success relies on strong leadership by Local GovernmentSea to Sky Soils’ facility was started on the basis of, “if you build it, they will come.” It took some time but contracts were signed with governments in the Sea to Sky Corridor and then with Metro Vancouver for processing of material from the three North Shore municipalities. Local government

contracts provide the baseline quantities that allow companies such as Sea to Sky and Net Zero Waste to expand into other market sectors. Ideally, local government contracts should be structured with contract terms and quantities that allow long-term operational and capital planning.

Net Zero Waste has also found that Metro Vancouver’s public education campaigns targeted at residents, businesses and haulers have resulted in significantly decreased contamination in the organics feed stream.

Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste support Metro Vancouver’s Proposed Solid Waste Regulatory UpdatesSea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste support Metro Vancouver’s proposed updates to Bylaw 181 because it levels the playing field and reduces barriers to entry for composting and recycling businesses.

Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste also support proposed commercial hauling licensing because the requirement to provide organics containers in multi-family and commercial business will further

increase source-separated organics material available to composting operators.

Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste support the Generator Levy given that it helps ensure the success of publicly


operated transfer stations available to all with transparent and consistent rules that promote waste diversion. Sea to Sky Soils and Net Zero Waste

suggest that these transfer stations provide drop-off capability for organics on the same basis as garbage, i.e., service available to all with transparent

pricing and requirements, with contracts for processing those organics entered into through competitive processes.

Net Zero Waste and Sea to Sky Soils work collaboratively and share knowledge within the sector Net Zero Waste developed the Certified Compost Facility Operators course, an educational program accredited by the Compost Council of Canada with cooperation from Sea

to Sky Soils. This course is delivered at the Net Zero Waste location in Abbotsford and recently (October 2018) was held at the Glenmore landfill near Kelowna. Several smaller

composting businesses have sprung up within the province as a result of the course and through the support offered through collaboration and education of best management practices.

Net Zero Waste and Sea to Sky Soils prefer local governments to take a proactive approachLooking ahead, Sea to Sky Soils is planning to expand its capacity, increasing the size of its site and adding power to its operations by way of an organics infrastructure grant. The proposed expansion would bring new jobs to the community, increase in-take capacity from 25,000 to 45,000 tonnes and provide guaranteed capacity for the region’s organic waste.

Net Zero Waste and Sea to Sky Soils would like regional districts and municipalities to continue to take the lead in setting standards, creating regulations and providing infrastructure for organics waste diversion, as is the case in Metro Vancouver.

Ways that Net Zero Waste and Sea to Sky Soils feel that local governments can support businesses include:

• Offering lo ng-term contracts to processors

• Focusing on quality and prioritizing highest end use in processing contracts

• Using processed material / compost; and

• Providing space at transfer stations to receive organics so that a clean feed stock can be assured



Overview Tourism Vancouver is a not-for-profit destination marketing organization and business association representing approximately 1,000 hotels, restaurants, convention centres, visitor attractions, and other tourism-related businesses and organizations in Metro Vancouver.

A major contributor to the economy of British Columbia, in Metro Vancouver alone tourism contributes approximately $4.8 billion to the economy annually and supports more than 70,000 full-time jobs. 2018 was the fifth consecutive record year of growth for tourism in the region’s history with 10.3 million overnight visitors.

We met with Tourism Vancouver’s Sustainable Destination Specialist Gwendal Castellan to discuss ways that Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulatory environment, and the overall culture of sustainability, impacts tourism business in the region.

Vancouver’s ‘green’ brand is essential to the tourism industry’s successIn 2015, the City of Vancouver commissioned the Brand Finance study1, an independent assessment of the value of the City of Vancouver’s brand. The study demonstrated that Vancouver‘s brand equity is closely associated with a clean environment, ‘green’ living, and environmental leadership. It concluded that people associate Vancouver with sustainability

and greenness more strongly than they do for any of the five other city brands studied.2

In addition to brand equity, or perception, the study assessed the financial value of the city’s brand, calculating that Vancouver’s green brand has a value of approximately $43 billion.3 Tourism Vancouver recognizes that the brand equity

and value of the city contributes directly to the economic viability of the tourism industry and is thus invested in maintaining that brand’s promise, both in perception and in reality.

Accordingly, Tourism Vancouver invests time and resources into activities that keep solid waste off the streets and trails, and divert recyclables from the waste stream.

1 https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Evidence-Edgar-Baum-Vancouver-brand-valuation.pdf2 Cities studied were Vancouver, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney3 Based on $31 billion USD at the exchange rate for Jan. 31, 2015

Tourism Vancouver FEBRUARY 2019


Tourism Vancouver is invested in being a good corporate citizenThe Tourism Vancouver Master Plan, published in June 2013, places Environment as one of its core goals, committing to the City of Vancouver’s own Greenest City Action Plan. The Tourism Vancouver Master Plan states: “Vancouver’s tourism industry will embrace the vision of the Greenest City 2020 Action Plan, green its operations, and work with the City of Vancouver to develop and promote Vancouver as a world-leading sustainable community and tourism destination.”

Further to the Master Plan, in 2017/18 Tourism Vancouver underwent a destination brand exercise, and as a result is adapting its messaging and marketing evolving its primary focus from marketing—which draws additional visitors to the region, to include management—which ensures that it delivers on the brand promise and the impact of tourism is beneficial rather than extractive. The new brand recognizes the importance

of resident engagement and the need for the industry to be a good corporate citizen.

Tourism Vancouver expresses its ongoing commitment to corporate social and environmental responsibility through programs such as the Sustainable Destination Development program, which saw the hiring of a full-time Sustainable Destination Specialist. The Specialist acts as a resource to members about ways they can enhance their own corporate sustainability practices, offering the following services:

• Performing baseline energy, water or waste studies, including data analysis and benchmark comparisons;

• Identifying energy, water, waste or carbon-emission conservation opportunities;

• Supporting the development of business cases and helping find third party certification for members’ sustainability efforts;

• Assisting members to find technical contractors or other service providers to implement sustainability projects; and

• Researching incentives, grants and rebate applications and documentation.

In addition, Tourism Vancouver helps meeting planners give back to causes through the #VanGiving initiative and supports the annual Neighbourhood Clean-up Party event. This clean-up initiative started 23 years ago in partnership with the City of Vancouver and supports the collection and diversion of recyclable materials by engaging community organizations to create volunteer waste-picking parties. Tourism Vancouver has also helped connect social enterprises such as the Binners Project to event organizers to provide waste separation services for major events. This partnership addresses both social and environmental sustainability by allowing marginalized groups to recover redeemable waste items.

Tourism Vancouver educates members and encourages participation in waste diversionTourism Vancouver shares the zero waste goals of Metro Vancouver and its member municipalities and supports a strong regulatory framework for solid waste. In support of Metro Vancouver’s diversion goals, Tourism Vancouver acts largely as a facilitator, advising members about new regulations and ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to comply.

When the organics disposal ban was introduced, Tourism Vancouver helped facilitate the education of tourism facility engineers and site managers by holding a workshop. A number of Tourism Vancouver members, including hotels and the Vancouver Aquarium, were included as case studies for organics diversion. In addition, at a recent Vancouver Tourism Facility

Managers Association meeting, Tourism Vancouver brought in local business Hop Compost to present their unique approach to the hauling and processing of organic wastes. The meeting was used as a platform to introduce organics diversion opportunities to Tourism Vancouver members and facility managers.



4 https://www.vancouverconventioncentre.com/about-us/our-story/economic-benefits

Disposal bans have resulted in innovations, investments and partnershipsTourism Vancouver has observed extensive innovation and investment by its members as a result of Metro Vancouver’s disposal bans. For example, as a result of the organics disposal ban, Vancouver Community College’s tourism and hospitality school invested in an on-site micro-biotic digester in its teaching kitchen. The digester dramatically reduces the volume of organic waste requiring recycling or disposal. Further, because it’s in a teaching environment, it is educating young people who are going forward into the workplace about solid waste reduction.

Another business that invested in onsite composting as a result of the ban is Rocky Mountain Flatbread, which purchased an in-vessel composter for its Kitsilano restaurant from Urban Stream Innovation, a local manufacturer. The composter processes about 60 kilograms of organics each day. Purchased at a cost of $10,000, it is expected to pay for itself in approximately two years, and generate savings to the business thereafter.

Many other tourism businesses are responding to disposal bans and other waste regulations in innovative ways. For example, both Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium currently have waste-related exhibitions: Science World with the ‘Garbage Dinosaur’ and the Aquarium with Vortex, a sculpture installation created by Douglas Coupland to draw attention to plastic waste in the oceans. At Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Vancouver Convention Centre, employees on site guide visitors through the pre-sorting of waste materials.

Tourism Vancouver leverages the green brand to attract conferences and eventsMeetings, conferences and conventions account for a significant portion of tourism economic impact generated in Metro Vancouver. The Vancouver Convention Centre alone hosts more than 550 conventions, trade

and consumer shows, meetings and special events each year, bringing over 750,000 attendees from around the world and generating more than $300 million annually.4 This is in addition to numerous other conferences and

meetings hosted at other venues throughout the region.

The Convention Centre is the first and largest LEED Platinum certified facility of its kind in the world and holds a


Level 4 Sustainable Events Venue certification from APEX-ASTM. With an extensive organization-wide recycling program, waste diversion rates are more than 75%. The Convention Centre has clearly signed recycling bins throughout and provides an educational program for staff, clients and retailers. Items left behind from events and leftover food are donated to local charities or community groups.

Having a green reputation and the infrastructure to support it allows Tourism Vancouver to attract a niche sector of the lucrative meetings market. In 2018, Vancouver hosted a number of large-scale conferences for organizations with sustainability at the core of their mandate. Notable were GLOBE 2018, the Sustainable Brands conference, the International Ornithology Conference, and the

Entomological Society of America Conference. In 2019, the Eco-Cities conference will be held at the Convention Centre. These and other organizations appreciate that facilities in Vancouver make it easy for them to reduce their ecological footprint. And having waste reduction and other sustainability programs in place gives Tourism Vancouver a distinct bidding advantage.

Plastics Wise pledge adds value to conference offeringIn 2018, global conservation organization Ocean Wise created the #BePlasticWise pledge, an initiative created to address the international crisis of ocean plastics. Tourism Vancouver was one of the first to take the pledge, which asks participants to reduce single-use plastic items such as bags and straws.

In addition to taking the pledge, Tourism Vancouver helped expand it to conferences and events in the city, beginning with GLOBE 2018, where the initiative was officially launched and continuing with the Sustainable Brands and International Ornithology Congress. Leading up to each event, Tourism Vancouver worked with

conference suppliers to eliminate single use plastic items. Participating hotels were asked to remove straws altogether, as well as to replace single-use water bottles with carafes and place related messaging in rooms.

Visitors become ambassadors for waste diversion and recyclingBased on exit surveys done at Vancouver Airport, Tourism Vancouver receives consistent feedback that visitors are impressed by the region’s natural beauty and cleanliness.

Many people visiting Vancouver are from locations where extensive recycling and source separation are not widely available. The hope is that these visitors, in particular,

will often express that they intend to become ambassadors for waste reduction in their home communities and champions of Vancouver as a destination overall.


Overview Calgary is the third largest municipality in Canada, with a population of approximately 1.2 million people. Like Metro Vancouver, the City of Calgary has committed to a zero waste strategy. The City has established several waste diversion targets and set an overall goal of 70 percent waste diversion by 2025.

There is no regional district government system in Alberta, and as such the City of Calgary provides various programs and services that in Metro Vancouver are divided amongst the regional district and its member municipalities. This includes solid waste management, including garbage, recycling and composting.

On November 21 and 22, 2018, we visited Calgary to compare and contrast Calgary’s solid waste infrastructure and regulatory framework, as well as the associated waste diversion and economic impacts, to those found in Metro Vancouver. In Calgary, we met with representatives from:

• The Recycling Council of Alberta

• The City of Calgary

• Cascades Recovery+, a Division of Cascades CanadaULC (CR+), which provides private waste and recyclingservices, including at a material recovery facility inCalgary, and

• A second private waste and recycling service providerthat requested not to be identified in this article

This article consolidates feedback and information we received during the interviews.

I. BACKGROUND: CALGARY’S SOLID WASTEMANAGEMENT MODEL

Residents, businesses and institutions in Calgary are serviced by a combination of public and private waste and recycling service providers.

Collection

The City of Calgary provides a three-stream, curbside collection service to over 325,000 single-family homes and 4,500 additional customers, including small businesses, multi-family condos, industrial and institutional customers. Materials are generator-separated into three streams for collection: garbage (black cart), single-stream recyclables (blue cart) and organics comprised of food and yard waste (green cart).

In addition to its collection services, the City of Calgary operates 27 community drop-off facilities for blue cart recyclables, and has partnered with private industry to provide depots for electronics recycling. Nine household hazardous waste drop-off locations are also operated by the City, in partnership with the Calgary Fire Department.

Waste generators not serviced by the City of Calgary, including the majority of multi-family buildings, commercial businesses and institutions, receive collection services from private waste and recycling haulers.

Three large national-level waste management companies operate in Calgary. A number of other companies also offer waste and recycling collection and processing services.

Recycling and Waste Case StudyCity of Calgary FEBRUARY 2019


Processing – Recyclables

Single-stream recyclables collected in the City of Calgary’s blue cart program are processed at the privately-owned and operated Cascades Recovery+ material recovery facility, which receives these materials under contract to the City. In addition to the City of Calgary’s blue cart recycling stream, Cascades Recovery+ processes single and multi-stream recyclables and provides waste and recycling collection services for a variety of non-municipal customers.

In addition to Cascades Recovery+, there are other recycling processors in Calgary offering various services including multi-material recycling, as well as construction and demolition recycling services.

Processing – Organics

The City of Calgary invested $143 million in an organics processing facility for food and yard waste that opened in 2017. The facility is operated by a third party and is exclusively for materials collected in the municipal green cart program and from other City of Calgary collections customers, as well as dewatered biosolids from the City’s wastewater treatment processes. No organics are received from private waste haulers at the facility at this time.

Commercial and multi-family organic wastes collected outside the City’s green cart program are processed at a variety of private composting facilities in the vicinity of Calgary.

Disposal

The City of Calgary operates three landfills that receive waste from the residential collection program along with self-haul and commercial waste. All three landfills accept residential waste, and commercial waste is accepted at two landfills. Industrial waste such as contaminated soils and asbestos is accepted at one of the city landfills. The City does not operate any transfer stations; waste collected by municipal fleets is taken directly to one of the three municipal landfill sites.

In 2014 a private waste management company developed a transfer station and recyclables processing facility in a community immediately adjacent to Calgary. Garbage from this transfer station is sent to a remote landfill northeast of Calgary.

At present, there is only one private garbage transfer station in the vicinity of Calgary. Interviewees advised that a second waste management company applied to develop a transfer station, but was not granted zoning approval by the community where the transfer station was proposed.

The Solid Waste Regulatory Framework

The City of Calgary’s Waste and Recycling Bylaw requires recycling services be put in place for all multi-family and commercial premises. Specifically, the Bylaw requires owners of multi-family complexes and businesses to provide containers for the storage of recyclable material and food and yard waste generated on site, separate from garbage containers, and ensure that the recyclable and compostable materials are taken to appropriate processing facilities.

In addition, the City of Calgary has in recent years introduced a number of disposal surcharges to encourage diversion from disposal of designated recyclable and compostable materials. At the City landfills, waste loads that exceed threshold amounts of the designated recyclables are charged at a rate of $170 per tonne, compared to $113 per tonne for loads that do not exceed the thresholds. This program is comparable to Metro Vancouver’s disposal ban program, and will be referred to as a disposal ban program here for clarity of communication.

The Alberta provincial government issues permits for landfills and waste storage sites. The provincial government does not regulate transfer stations or material recovery

Recycling and Waste Case Study


facilities. At the municipal level, the development of transfer stations and material recovery facilities are permitted through the zoning, development and building permit processes. There is no municipal licensing or authorization of transfer station or recycling facility operation in Alberta. As a result of this framework, there is no government oversight of waste management activities at transfer stations or recycling facilities, and no requirement for reporting on waste diversion efficiency or residuals proportion by operators of these types of facilities. In addition, haulers do not require a license to collect waste or recyclables and are not required to report on their diversion activities.

Recycling Investments

The City of Calgary’s policy and regulatory initiatives have driven some key investments in recycling and composting technology and infrastructure. Calgary historically banned construction and demolition waste from disposal leading to private sector investments in construction and demolition recycling facilities. A 10-year recycling processing contract with the City of Calgary allowed Cascades Recovery+ to invest $32 million in

a high performance single-stream recycling facility that opened in 2008. The collection of organics from single-family homes resulted in the development of Calgary’s organics processing facility. The mandatory recycling of organics has led to increased private sector investment in organics recycling.

Diversion Progress

As of November 2018, the City of Calgary estimates the overall diversion rate across all sectors at 49%. Data for single-family residences is reliable, given that Calgary collects recycling and waste from that sector, but data for other sectors are based on estimates because there is no reporting of disposal or recycling activities to the City of Calgary by private sector market participants.

II. IMPACT: THE EFFECTS OF CALGARY’S WASTE MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT

The operation of a private transfer station in an adjacent community, together with an inability of the City of Calgary to enforce its disposal bans at private facilities or cause facilities to report diversion rates or residual proportions, has given rise to a number of impacts.

Impacts on Waste Flow

Calgary has seen significant changes to the amount of waste received at its three landfills following opening of the private transfer station. The table details per capita waste disposal data for the City of Calgary and annual City of Calgary population estimates. The table shows that the waste received at City of Calgary landfills went from an average of 687,000 tonnes between 2011 and 2014 to 458,000 tonnes in 2017, a decrease of more than 200,000 tonnes per year or 33 percent over the three years. The observed drop in waste quantities was primarily from commercial waste haulers.

Year Waste Disposal (kg/capita)

Population Total Waste (tonnes)

Change (%)

2011 629 1,096,833 689,910 N/A

2012 556 1,120,000 622,720 -10

2013 583 1,156,686 674,350 8

2014 627 1,230,195 771,330 14

2015 517 1,230,195 636,010 -18

2016 431 1,239,220 534,100 -16

2017 368 1,246,337 458,650 -14



While the exact cause of the drop in waste quantities is unknown, the City has attributed the decrease to a combination of economic factors, waste diversion efforts and waste leaving the Calgary disposal system. The decrease follows opening of the private transfer station. Given the dramatic drop in waste quantities following the opening of the new facility, and given that the change was primarily seen in commercially collected waste, it is likely that a substantial component of the change in waste quantities was a result of waste being delivered to the new transfer station.

The decrease in waste going to the City of Calgary landfills has resulted in reduced revenues to the City. With less solid waste revenues, the City of Calgary has had to reduce its annual budget by between $6 million and $10 million over recent years. Budget reductions have resulted in reduced operating hours at its landfills, impacting service to residents and businesses, and the elimination of some recycling programs. Contributions to the City’s landfill liability reserve were also reduced. Planned increases in garbage tipping fees to continue to encourage waste diversion were also deferred.

Impacts on Competition

A number of the large haulers are now delivering garbage to the private transfer station. The private waste management company is able to set pricing considering City of Calgary tipping

fees with their own unit costs reducing with increasing quantities. Market participants believe the private waste management company offers low tipping fees to other large haulers in order to maximize quantities of waste delivered to that facility. Market participants advised that many haulers, particularly small haulers, are not provided access to the transfer station.

The private waste management company’s practices with respect to providing access to its transfer station place smaller haulers at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis their larger rivals. While the private company’s economic incentive is to charge low tipping fees to certain haulers to optimize use of its facilities, the City of Calgary’s objectives in setting tipping fees are driven by public interest considerations related to the desire to discourage landfilling and increase diversion rates. Smaller haulers that cannot access the private transfer station must pay the City of Calgary’s higher tipping fees. This dynamic – a lack of a level playing field – raises barriers to entry for smaller haulers and reduces their ability to compete with larger haulers.

Smaller haulers are also disadvantaged because, in order to utilize the City of Calgary landfills, they are subject to the City of Calgary’s disposal bans. These requirements impose costs on smaller haulers that are not incurred by haulers that access the private transfer station, where the City of

Calgary has no authority to impose disposal bans.

The lack of enforcement of disposal bans may reduce the incentive of generators to source-separate waste. In order to achieve a toe-hold for market entry, many small haulers focus their business on providing programs that maximize waste diversion. If it is less expensive to dispose of waste rather than implementing aggressive source-separation programs, these small haulers may be disadvantaged.

Negative impacts on small waste and recycling companies is expected to over time reduce competition in the Calgary market.

Impacts on Public Interest Objectives

The City of Calgary has established ambitious objectives for diverting waste from landfill. However, the existence of a private transfer station where the City cannot enforce its disposal bans, and who is not obligated to report to the City of Calgary on any aspect of their operations, impacts the City’s ability to achieve its public objectives of reducing waste and providing cost effective and reliable solid waste services.

The lack of enforcement of disposal bans at the private transfer station may negatively impact incentives of waste generators to source-separate waste. The diversion of waste to the private transfer station also inhibits Calgary’s ability to use increasing



tipping fees as a tool to encourage waste diversion. Uncertainty with respect to public facility disposal needs impacts Calgary’s ability to plan for the future.

Finally, the absence of reporting requirements at the private transfer station as well as private recyclables processing facilities prevents the City of Calgary from both accurately assessing the effectiveness of its waste diversion programs, and from designing future policies with the precision required to increase diversion rates further.

All of these effects undermine the ability of the City of Calgary to accomplish its public objective.

III. POTENTIAL REFORM – POSSIBLE CHANGES TO WASTE AND RECYCLING ENVIRONMENT IN CALGARY

Interviewees suggested that a regulatory framework requiring transparency and accountability with respect to recycling performance of processors in Calgary would level the playing field for collectors and processors. Interviewees also suggested that measures were needed to level the playing field with respect to garbage disposal.

Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw 181 (Bylaw 181) has specific provisions ensuring accountability

and level playing field for processors. Recycling processors report regularly to Metro Vancouver’s Environmental Regulation and Enforcement division on all quantities processed through the facility, including reporting on diversion. Some types of facilities must achieve minimum diversion efficiency, and for others diversion efficiency by facility is posted on Metro Vancouver’s website to increase transparency. Proposed updates to Bylaw 181, further level the playing field by ensuring that all types of facilities processing municipal solid waste or recyclable materials are licensed and facilities receiving mixed municipal solid waste must achieve minimum diversion standards.

Metro Vancouver’s Hauler Licensing Bylaw has specific provisions making haulers responsible for ensuring recycling containers are provided wherever waste is collected.

In addition to ensuring the collection of accurate information that will inform public policy decision making, interviewees suggested that transparency and accountability would level the playing field among haulers and processors in Calgary. Metro Vancouver’s Generator Levy and proposed hauler licensing bylaw and proposed updates to Bylaw 181 ensure a level playing field for waste and recycling service providers.

Summary and Conclusions

The City of Calgary is committed to waste diversion among all sectors. The current regulatory environment in Calgary – which results in a lack of transparency, and impairs Calgary’s ability to achieve its public objectives – impacts waste diversion efforts and creates barriers to entry in the private waste and recycling industry. Moreover, this regulatory environment permits large waste collection companies to financially benefit from regulatory policies intended to discourage waste disposal and encourage recycling, undermining the objectives of the policies. Revenue losses to the City of Calgary have resulted in reduced services to residents and businesses using the City solid waste system, and cancellation of some recycling programs. Small haulers are at a competitive disadvantage compared to large haulers using the parallel private disposal system. Various provisions in Metro Vancouver’s proposed solid waste regulatory updates are intended to minimize the potential for similar negative impacts on competition and waste diversion in the Vancouver market.



To: Zero Waste Committee From: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services Date: January 30, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Response to Waste Management Association of BC Delegation at the January 10,

2019 Zero Waste Committee Meeting RECOMMENDATION That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 30, 2019, titled “Response to Waste Management Association of BC Delegation at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee Meeting”. At the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee meeting, a delegation from the Waste Management Association of BC appeared before the Committee to discuss the Zero Waste Committee 2019 Priorities and Work Plan. The delegation summary was provided to the GVS&DD Board at its January 25, 2019 meeting. The Zero Waste Committee requested a staff response to the delegation summary and presentation. The response was emailed to Zero Waste Committee members on January 23, 2019 and is attached to this report. Attachment Response to Delegation at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee Meeting, dated January 23, 2019 28402766

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RESPONSE TO DELEGATION SUMMARY AT THE JANUARY 10, 2019 ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE MEETING

Date: January 23, 2019

PURPOSE This communication fulfills a request of staff by the Zero Waste Committee to respond to the delegation presentation and summary provided by Josh JasenVandoorn representing the Waste Management Association of BC (WMABC) at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee meeting.

WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DELEGATION Josh JasenVandoorn, a Board member with the Waste Management Association of BC (WMABC) appeared as delegation at the January 10, 2019 Zero Waste Committee to discuss the 2019 Zero Waste Committee Priorities and Work Plan. The delegation summary indicated that regulatory uncertainty is inhibiting investment in diversion and recycling technologies. In his presentation, Mr. JasenVandoorn referred to uncertainty caused by a new proposed regulatory requirement to limit private sector waste and recycling facilities’ licenses to 10 years and competition from Metro Vancouver.

In other communications, the WMABC has noted that it is opposed to proposed Metro Vancouver bylaws that are before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration. The WMABC also suggests that the regulatory measures are widely opposed.

SOLID WASTE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK On November 27, 2017, the GVS&DD Board gave final reading to a bylaw implementing a Generator Levy (Bylaw 308) and gave third reading to two bylaws: GVS&DD Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw 309, 2017. Bylaw 309 amends the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw 181, 1996, a bylaw that has not been updated since 1996. The bylaw changes aim to advance waste diversion in the region and ensure a cost effective and equitably funded regional solid waste management system.

The solid waste regulatory framework updates were developed following an extensive consultation process that prompted multiple changes to the framework. The Generator Levy is now in place, and the Commercial Hauler Licensing Bylaw and the bylaw updating Bylaw 181 are before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration.

Environmental Benefits: Metro Vancouver is one of the most successful jurisdictions in North America with respect to waste diversion. Updates to the solid waste regulatory framework are intended to further enhance environmental benefits through increased waste reduction and recycling, reduction in illegal dumping, reduction in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, the latter being a key focus of Metro Vancouver Climate 2050.

Cost: Updates to the regulatory framework add no new costs for waste delivered to Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver disposal facilities. To Metro Vancouver’s knowledge, all waste from residential and commercial/institutional sources generated in the region is delivered to Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver facilities. If in the future, waste is delivered to private waste management facilities,

ATTACHMENT


RESPONSE TO DELEGATION SUMMARY AT THE JANUARY 10, 2019 ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE MEETING January 23, 2019

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haulers will be obligated to collect and remit the Generator Levy to Metro Vancouver. This ensures that all residents and businesses who generate waste in the region contribute towards the fixed costs of the solid waste system. Regulatory Consistency: Updates to the regulatory framework ensure all waste haulers in the region are subject to the same requirements, ensuring regulatory consistency for all haulers. The proposed updates to Bylaw 181 modernize the types of facilities that require licenses to ensure that all private facilities managing regulated materials are licensed under the same rules. Innovation and Investment: Updates to the regulatory framework support innovation and investment by prioritizing source-separated recycling over disposal or processing mixed waste. This approach is consistent with the provincial waste management hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and residuals management along with Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan hierarchy. Tools such as disposal bans provide incentives to the waste industry to invest in new and innovative systems to recycle materials that have been banned from the waste stream. The regulatory framework also allows for private sector processing of mixed waste where a minimum of 25% of incoming waste is recovered. This ensures that new private sector facilities align with the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan’s waste diversion goals. License Term: A 10-year license term for private facilities allows for a scheduled review of license requirements. The licensing provisions also include a streamlined renewal procedure aimed to ensure a simple and effective renewal process if a facility is meeting its license requirements and there are no regulatory changes. Maximum environmental authorization permit/license terms are the norm in many jurisdictions including Alberta and other Canadian provinces. Exemptions: Updates to the regulatory framework include a number of exemptions and licensing requirements for some facilities that historically did not require Metro Vancouver solid waste licenses. These changes aim to ensure consistency while minimizing regulatory burden for facilities. Consistency with Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan: Both the Generator Levy and Commercial Hauler Licensing are specific measures that are included in the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, and support its goals and targets. New Waste-to-Energy: Regulatory updates have no relationship with potential future waste-to-energy development. The Generator Levy funds the fixed costs of solid waste planning and transfer stations, and will not be used to fund disposal including waste-to-energy. Consultation and Engagement: As part of the regulatory framework development, Metro Vancouver notified over 1,200 individuals or entities, hosted webinars, workshops, surveys, project websites and met with stakeholders on request. Feedback was considered in finalizing the bylaws and changes were made considering input received. Support: Updates to Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulatory framework are broadly supported. Individual waste and recycling companies, waste and recycling associations, industry associations, extended producer responsibility agencies and other regional districts have all expressed written support for the regulatory framework.


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More information on the regulatory updates is available on Metro Vancouver’s website at the links below. The information includes: board reports, communications, correspondence, consultation feedback and materials. Generator Levy and Commercial Hauler Licensing http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/consultation/generator-levy-hauler-licensing/Pages/default.aspx Bylaw 181 Update http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/consultation/bylaw-181/Pages/default.aspx This communication will be included in the February 8 Zero Waste Committee agenda.

Paul Henderson, P.Eng General Manager Solid Waste Services


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/consultation/generator-levy-hauler-licensing/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/consultation/generator-levy-hauler-licensing/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/consultation/bylaw-181/Pages/default.aspx

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To: Zero Waste Committee From: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services Date: January 30, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Solid Waste Regulatory Framework Update RECOMMENDATION That the GVD&DD Board: a) send a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting that the

Minister approve the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017; and


PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to update the Zero Waste Committee and GVS&DD Board on the Metro Vancouver solid waste regulatory framework and to propose that the GVS&DD Board write to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting approval of the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 (Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw) and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017. BACKGROUND At its November 24, 2017 regular meeting, the Board gave first, second and third reading to:

• GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017; and • GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309. Bylaw

309, a bylaw that updates the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw No. 181, 1996 (Bylaw 181)

These two bylaws were forwarded to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy on December 22, 2017 for his consideration. Also at the November 24, 2017 meeting the Board gave first, second, third reading and adopted the GVS&DD Tipping Fee and Solid Waste Disposal Regulation Amending Bylaw No. 308, 2017, which amended the Tipping Fee Bylaw to implement the Generator Levy effective January 1, 2018. Subsequently the Tipping Fee Bylaw was further amended in February 2018 (GVS&DD Tipping Fee and Solid Waste Disposal Regulation Amending Bylaw No. 312, 2018) to ensure the Generator Levy is only applied once if waste is delivered to a private facility recovering energy or recyclables. The Commercial Hauler Licensing Bylaw and the bylaw updating Bylaw 181 have been before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for more than a year. The bylaws are important for advancing waste diversion in the region and ensuring a cost-effective and equitably-funded


Solid Waste Regulatory Framework Update Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: February 8, 2019

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regional solid waste system. This report provides an update on the bylaws and recommends that the Board write the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting approval of the Bylaws. SOLID WASTE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK The changes to the solid waste regulatory framework aim to advance waste diversion in the region and ensure a cost-effective and equitably-funded regional solid waste management system. The bylaws were developed following an extensive consultation and engagement process, with multiple changes considering feedback received. Implementation of commercial hauler licensing and a Generator Levy are specific measures included in the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan. The following sections provide an overview of the bylaws and their purpose along with details of the consultation and engagement process. Generator Levy The Generator Levy ensures that all generators of waste from residential and commercial/institutional sources (Mixed Municipal Solid Waste) contribute to the fixed costs of Metro Vancouver’s transfer station network and solid waste planning, services that benefit all waste generators in the region. The Generator Levy is included in the tipping fee charged at Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver disposal facilities (regional facilities) and does not increase the total cost of disposal at these facilities. The Generator Levy is required to be remitted by haulers to Metro Vancouver for any Mixed Municipal Solid Waste delivered to facilities other than regional facilities. The Generator levy is set at $42 per tonne for 2019. In February 2018, the Board further amended the Tipping Fee Bylaw to provide a rebate of the Generator Levy for residual waste delivered to regional facilities from qualified private facilities, facilities holding a valid solid waste facility license and reduce incoming Mixed Municipal Solid Waste by a minimum of 25%. The February 2018 Tipping Fee Bylaw amendment ensures that the Generator Levy is only paid once. Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing To help encourage recycling in multi-family and commercial/institutional buildings, and assist in collecting the Generator Levy, any commercial waste hauler collecting more than 10 tonnes per month of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste using mechanically unloading vehicles (i.e., not hand unloaded) would require a Commercial Waste Hauler License. Approximately 50 commercial waste haulers are expected to require licenses. The Commercial Waste Hauler License would require licensed haulers to ensure recycling containers are provided wherever waste is collected. The recycling containers could be provided by the haulers, the building owner or a third party. The license would also require haulers to maintain records and report to Metro Vancouver on the origin and disposal location for Mixed Municipal Solid Waste. Metro Vancouver understands that these are records typically kept by commercial waste haulers.



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Bylaw 181 Updates Bylaw 181 regulates the management of Municipal Solid Waste and Recyclable Material at private facilities in Metro Vancouver through the issuance and enforcement of solid waste licenses. Bylaw 181 has been in place without any changes since 1996. The GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017 modernizes the regulation of these facilities, increase recycling, and ensure consistency in regulatory requirements. Below is an overview of the updates to Bylaw 181:

• modernizing the types of facilities that require licenses to ensure that all facilities managing regulated materials are licensed under the bylaw;

• creating a new simplified license for some facilities that were previously exempt from licensing;

• specifying a minimum 25% recovery/reduction rate for any facility receiving Mixed Municipal Solid Waste;

• revising the definition of Recyclable Material to be consistent with the Environmental Management Act;

• revising and clarifying exclusions and exemptions; and • setting a maximum facility license term of 10 years, with rights of renewal where conditions

are met.

A 10-year license term for private facilities allows for a scheduled review of license requirements. The licensing provisions also include a streamlined renewal procedure aimed to ensure a simple and effective renewal process if a facility is meeting its license requirements and there are no regulatory changes. Maximum environmental authorization permit/license terms are the norm in many jurisdictions including Alberta and other Canadian provinces. Environmental Benefits Metro Vancouver is one of the most successful jurisdictions in North America with respect to waste diversion. Updates to the solid waste regulatory framework are intended to continue Metro Vancouver’s efforts to create environmental benefits through increased waste reduction and recycling, reduction in illegal dumping, reduction in traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, the latter being a key focus of Metro Vancouver Climate 2050. Cost The Generator Levy adds no cost for waste delivered to Metro Vancouver and City of Vancouver disposal facilities. To Metro Vancouver’s knowledge, all waste from residential and commercial/institutional sources generated in the region is delivered to Metro Vancouver or City of Vancouver facilities. If in the future, waste is delivered to private waste management facilities, haulers will be obligated to collect and remit the Generator Levy to Metro Vancouver. This ensures that all residents and businesses who generate waste in the region contribute toward the fixed costs of the solid waste system. Commercial waste haulers required to obtain a license will be charged an annual fee of $100 per company.



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Innovation and Investment Updates to the solid waste regulatory framework support innovation and investment by prioritizing source-separated recycling over disposal or processing mixed waste. This approach is consistent with the provincial waste management hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and residuals management along with Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan hierarchy. Tools such as disposal bans create incentives for investment in new and innovative systems to recycle materials that have been banned from the waste stream. The regulatory framework also allows for private sector processing of mixed waste where a minimum of 25% of incoming waste is recovered for energy or recycling. This ensures that the development of new private sector facilities aligns with the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan waste diversion goals. Consultation and Engagement As part of the solid waste regulatory framework consultations, Metro Vancouver notified over 1,200 individuals or entities, hosted webinars, workshops, surveys, project websites and met with stakeholders on request. For the hauler licensing and Generator Levy consultation, there were 55 participants at the webinar and workshops, 5 survey submissions and 439 views on the consultation web page. For the Bylaw 181 update consultation, there were 74 participants at the webinar and workshops, 7 survey submissions and 558 views on the consultation web page. Feedback was considered in finalizing the bylaws and specific changes were made based on input received. Workshop summaries, participant lists and written feedback were provided to the Board to support its decision regarding the regulatory framework updates. Support for the Metro Vancouver Solid Waste Regulatory Framework Updates Updates to Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulatory framework are broadly supported. Individual waste and recycling companies, waste and recycling associations, industry associations, extended producer responsibility agencies and other regional districts listed in the table below have all expressed written support for the regulatory framework updates.

Organizations expressing support for Metro Vancouver’s solid waste regulatory framework updates

BC Electronic Products Recycling Association

Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR)

Regional District of Central Kootenay

Cascades Recovery+, a Division of Cascades Canada ULC (CR+)

Merlin Plastics Supply Inc. Regional District of Nanaimo

Central Coast Regional District Net Zero Waste Retail Council of Canada Comox Valley Regional District Product Care Solid Waste Association of

North America, Pacific Chapter Covanta Renewable Energy, ULC

Recycle BC West Coast Reduction Ltd.

Encorp Pacific (Canada) Recycling Council of BC Solid Waste Management Plan Review Metro Vancouver’s Five Year Financial Plan includes $3,000,000 in funding over the years 2020 to 2023 to develop a new solid waste management plan. The time and expenditures required to develop the current Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan was in this same range. A new



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plan is therefore expected to be in place by approximately 2024. A review of the effectiveness of the updated solid waste regulatory framework can be conducted as part of the development of a new solid waste plan, and any adjustments to the regulatory framework can be made at that time. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the GVD&DD Board:

a) send a letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting that the Minister approve the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017; and


2. That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated January 30, 2019, titled “Solid Waste Regulatory Framework Update” and provide alternate direction to staff.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS If the Board writes approves Alternatives 1, a letter will be written to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting approval of the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017. A request to meet with the Minister will also be made. Implementation of the bylaws is expected to be accommodated within the Environmental Regulation and Enforcement and the Solid Waste Services operating budgets. The updated regulatory measures help ensure a cost- effective and equitably funded regional solid waste system for all waste generators in the region. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Following an extensive consultation and engagement process, the Board approved three solid waste regulatory bylaws on November 24, 2017. A bylaw implementing the Generator Levy has been in effect since January 1, 2018. Two other bylaws, the GVS&DD Commercial Waste Hauler Licensing Bylaw No. 307, 2017 and the GVS&DD Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Amending Bylaw No. 309, 2017, are before the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration. The bylaws are designed to continue to advance waste diversion in the region and ensure a cost-effective and equitably-funded regional solid waste system. Staff recommend Alternative 1 that the Board write to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy requesting approval of the bylaws. 28206937


27914791

To: Zero Waste Committee From: Karen Storry, Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Services Date: January 31, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Single-Use Item Reduction Approach RECOMMENDATION That the GVS&DD Board write the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy expressing support for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ resolution requesting that a provincial single-use item reduction strategy be put in place. PURPOSE To update the Zero Waste Committee and GVS&DD Board on work to develop a single-use item strategy and propose next steps. BACKGROUND On October 30, 2017, the Board approved the following recommendation:

That the GVS&DD Board direct staff to determine actions to reduce waste from Single-Use Items that are best done on a regional level.

And on February 23, 2018, the Board approved the following recommendation:

That the GVS&DD Board approve initiating consultation on a regional single-use item reduction strategy as outlined in the report dated February 2, 2018, titled “Regional Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy Research and Consultation”.

On September 13, 2018 the Union of BC Municipalities, passed the following resolution:

Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia develop a provincial Single-Use Item Reduction Strategy as part of a provincial Zero Waste Strategy, which would include but not necessarily be limited to plastic and paper shopping bags, polystyrene foam cups and polystyrene foam containers, other hot and cold drink cups and take-out containers, straws and utensils, but would exclude all single use items needed for medical use or for people with disabilities.

Staff are reporting back to recommend that the Board write the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Municipal Affairs and Housing to express support for the Union of BC Municipalities’ resolution recommending a provincial single-use item reduction strategy.

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SINGLE-USE ITEM REDUCTION Jurisdictional Scan Various entities are taking action towards reduction of single-use items. Of note:

• Canada has been an important proponent of the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter. • The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) released their strategy for Zero

Plastic Waste November 23, 2018 which prioritizes reducing demand for disposable plastic items.

• City of Vancouver is consulting on and plans to implement several single-use item reduction policies including:

o bylaws to reduce the number of plastics bags, paper bags, and disposable cups distributed;

o a by request-only bylaw for disposable utensils; o straw distribution restrictions; and o an expanded polystyrene take-out cup and container ban.

• City of Victoria banned the sale of plastic bags and required a charge for paper and reusable bags as of July 1st 2018.

Union of BC Municipalities’ Resolution on a Provincial Strategy for Single-use Item Reduction The Union of BC Municipalities’ resolution on single-use items calls for a provincial single-use item reduction strategy targeting shopping bags, cups, containers, straws, utensils and other single-use items. A provincial approach would ensure inter-municipal harmonization and consistency for consumers and for producers and businesses with operations throughout the province. Potential Regulatory Measures Effective regulatory approaches to reduce single-use items that may be appropriate under a provincial single-use item strategy include:

• “By request-only” regulations; • Mandatory fees; and • Restrictions on sale/distribution.

“By request-only” regulations require that single-use items are only distributed on request of the customer. These regulations reduce the number of single-use items distributed but have less impact on business than distribution bans. Mandatory fees for single-use items have been found to be more effective than discounts to change behaviour. To be most effective fees should be visible (ie. explicitly shown on a receipt), and either retained by the retailer or remitted to a stewardship agency. A 2018 study by Cardiff University comparing the effectiveness of fees for disposable coffee cups with discounts for reusable cups confirmed that people are far more sensitive to losses than to gains when making decisions. Outright prohibition on sale/distribution of certain single-use items can be effective and equitable for waste prevention. However, unless carefully implemented, prohibitions on sale/distribution may create unintended consequences such as creating other waste or adversely impacting the people that need the single-use items.


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Potential Regional Actions To reduce single-use items in the region, an approach that includes education and collaboration to complement an effective regulatory framework is required. Possible actions include: Education – As part of the 2020 budget cycle, identify specific education and awareness activities that can be implemented by Metro Vancouver, particularly activities that can be done in partnership with member jurisdictions or can be used by member jurisdictions to supplement their own resources. Collaboration – Collaborate with member jurisdictions and others to identify collaborative and harmonized measures to reduce single-use items. Metro Vancouver will continue to consult on possible measures to reduce single-use items, and report back to the Board with a recommended list of actions to communicate to member jurisdictions for their consideration for regulatory change. Working with the National Zero Waste Council Several major municipalities across Canada have expressed interest in a coordinated approach to reducing and managing single-use-items. Metro Vancouver will work with the National Zero Waste Council and other Canadian municipalities to harmonize national approaches to reducing single-use items. Metro Vancouver can also collaborate with other municipalities on research and behavior change initiatives. ALTERNATIVES 1. That the GVS&DD Board write the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of

Environment and Climate Change Strategy expressing support for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ resolution requesting that a provincial single-use item reduction strategy be put in place.

2. That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated January 31, 2019, titled “Single-

Use Item Reduction Approach” and provide alternate direction to staff. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS If the Board approves Alternative 1, a letter will be written to the Province supporting the Union of BC Municipalities’ resolution on a provincial single-use item reduction strategy. Metro Vancouver will continue to consult on possible measures to reduce single-use items and will work through the National Zero Waste Council to collaborate with municipalities across the country on harmonizing single-use item reduction options. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Single-use items are a significant issue from a waste and environmental perspective and many jurisdictions are taking action to reduce these items. In 2018, The Union of British Columbia Municipalities passed a resolution recommending that the Province develop a single-use item reduction strategy. Staff recommend alternative 1 that the Board write the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing supporting the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ resolution requesting a provincial single-use strategy. 27914791


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28245263

To: Zero Waste Committee From: Larina Lopez, Corporate Communications Division Manager, External Relations Date: January 23, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: 2019 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign RECOMMENDATION That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated January 23, 2019, titled “2019 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign”. PURPOSE To provide an overview to the Zero Waste Committee and MVRD Board on the upcoming regional campaign to reduce clothing waste. BACKGROUND Clothing is one of the fastest growing waste streams due to rapidly changing fashion trend cycles and low prices, leading to increased clothing consumption and disposal. Approximately 20,000 tonnes of clothing waste is disposed annually in Metro Vancouver, despite local options to swap, sell or donate unwanted clothing. Metro Vancouver residents throw out an average of 8 kg of clothing per person per year, equivalent to the weight of 44 t-shirts per person per year. In spring of 2018, staff began developing a regional behaviour change campaign aimed at reducing clothing waste in Metro Vancouver. This report provides an overview of Metro Vancouver’s regional clothing waste reduction campaign, as identified in the 2019 Zero Waste Committee Work Plan. The campaign will be in market from February to April 2019. 2019 REGIONAL CLOTHING WASTE REDUCTION CAMPAIGN The campaign objective is to educate residents about clothing waste in the region. It will provide tips and information to help residents make more informed and sustainable decisions when purchasing, caring for, and disposing of their clothing. The target audience is both men and women ages 18-64, with some campaign communications skewing towards “fashionistas”, families with kids, and “do-it-yourselfers”. The campaign is scheduled to launch the week of February 18 and will run for eight weeks. Research As a first step in the development of a regional clothing waste reduction campaign, research was undertaken to better understand and identify communications priorities, public attitudes, and behaviour – all key considerations that informed the campaign platform and approach. Stakeholder Engagement In summer of 2018 Metro Vancouver engaged with industry stakeholders, including retailers, thrift stores, donation bin operators, and used clothing brokers. The aim of this engagement was to identify


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key messaging with regard to clothing donations. Despite minor complaints from a few select second-hand clothing retailers that they might not always get the highest quality items being donated for reuse, the overwhelming message was that almost any item can be donated and dealt with through the donation stream. This is due to the fact that what cannot be salvaged and resold/reused locally can be reused in global markets or repurposed altogether. The main message they wanted us to share with residents was to ensure that the clothing items being donated are clean, dry, and packed properly in bags or boxes. Public Attitudes Survey In summer of 2018, Metro Vancouver conducted a survey of approximately 1,200 adult residents throughout the region, in order to understand residents’ clothing purchase and disposal habits, as well as their general understanding of issues related to clothing waste in the region. The survey results indicated a general lack of awareness among residents of clothing waste as an issue, and in particular, a lack of understanding when it comes to issues related to clothing donations. For example, very few respondents were aware of what happened to their clothing once it has been donated. In addition, only four in ten respondents were aware that more clothing is donated than can be reused locally. This tells us that, especially in year one of the campaign, communications will need to focus largely on raising awareness about clothing waste in the region. The survey also identified that over 50% of respondents said they were likely to repair or mend damaged clothing, with some saying they would be interested in selling, swapping or repurposing old clothing. This indicates an appetite for this type of information to be included in the campaign messaging. Focus Testing During the development of the creative concept, focus groups were conducted to gauge reactions to various executions and messages. These sessions found that people were very receptive to messages around how much more clothing we purchase now versus previous decades, as well as how much clothing is being thrown away each year. This feedback helped inform the campaign creative direction, with these messages resonating throughout the creative materials. Campaign Approach The campaign platform will ask residents to “THINK THRICE ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES”, with the supporting tagline to “Reduce, Repair and Re-use to Minimize Waste”. These messages will be supported by providing tangible tips within each of the three “R” bucket areas:

• Reduce – tips for identifying quality items when purchasing new or second-hand clothing. • Repair – tips for better care of clothing, such as washing, drying and stain removal, as well as

DIY clothing repair and alteration ideas. • Re-use – what to do with unwanted clothing, including information on reselling, repurposing

and donating. A sample of the campaign creative is shown in the Attachment. The media plan will combine broad reach with targeted placements to reach people throughout Metro Vancouver. The broad reach tactics to spread awareness messages will include online banner ads, social media (Instagram & Facebook), native content articles, transit shelter ads, bus exterior ads, billboards, and video placements on Tim Horton’s in-store TV screens. Targeted placements to share content about specific tips will include Google Search, online banner ads, YouTube pre-roll


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videos, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and a Cineplex Timeplay game. All tactics will drive residents to the campaign website (www.clothesarentgarbage.ca). Metro Vancouver is currently exploring additional outreach event opportunities, including a potential collaboration with Frameworq (www.frameworq.ca), a local non-profit organization that facilitates clothing swaps, and free clothing “fix-it” events that focus on teaching practical clothing repair skills to attendees. Collaboration with Municipal Members Draft campaign materials were shared with municipal communications and solid waste staff during a conference call on January 9, 2019, where valuable feedback was provided that helped inform some changes in language and approach. An additional update on the campaign creative was provided to the Municipal Waste Reduction Coordinators Committee at their January 16, 2019 monthly meeting. Prior to the campaign launch, Metro Vancouver will share the final campaign creative with municipal communications staff across the region, and will identify opportunities to be a part of the campaign, including co-branded campaign materials. Evaluation Metro Vancouver will use a range of indicators to measure the effectiveness of the campaign, including marketing metrics, website performance, and a post-campaign survey. Metro Vancouver’s 2018 waste audit can also provide a baseline which can be measured against the 2020 waste audit to identify any changes in the amounts of clothing being found in the regional waste stream. ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The 2019 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign budget is $150,000. This is included in the Zero Waste Communications Program of the 2019 General Government budget and managed by the External Relations Department. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION Clothing is one of the fastest growing waste streams in Metro Vancouver due to rapidly changing fashion trend cycles and low prices, leading to increased clothing consumption and disposal. A regional clothing waste reduction campaign will be launched the week of February 18, 2019 and will run for eight weeks. The campaign platform will ask residents to “THINK THRICE ABOUT YOUR CLOTHES”, with the supporting tagline to “Reduce, Repair and Re-use to Minimize Waste”. The 2019 campaign will focus on educating residents about the issue of clothing waste in the region, while providing tips and information to assist residents in making more informed and sustainable decisions with regard to purchasing, caring for, and disposing of their clothing. Creative materials and collateral will be shared with members so they can support the campaign through their own communications channels. Attachment Sample campaign creative 28245263


http://www.clothesarentgarbage.ca/

http://www.frameworq.ca/

ATTACHMENT



28377322

To: Zero Waste Committee From: Heather Schoemaker, General Manager, External Relations

Ann Rowan, Manager, Collaboration Initiatives, External Relations Date: February 1, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Conference RECOMMENDATION That the MVRD Board receive for information the report dated February 1, 2019, titled “Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Conference”. PURPOSE To provide the Zero Waste Committee and MVRD Board an overview of Metro Vancouver’s Eighth Annual Zero Waste Conference ̶ “A Future without Waste: The Journey to A Circular Economy” ̶ held on Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November 9, 2018 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. BACKGROUND The Zero Waste Conference directly supports the first two goals of the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan related to waste prevention. The annual Zero Waste Conference has become a fixture on Metro Vancouver’s public engagement calendar attracting interest from all levels of government, the business sector, sustainability practitioners and academia within the region and increasingly across Canada. This report provides a summary of the Zero Waste Conference held on November 8 and 9, 2018. 2018 ZERO WASTE CONFERENCE Following the 2017 Zero Waste Conference, the Metro Vancouver Board directed staff to expand the one-day format into a day and half. This would enable the expansion of conference content and participation, including local, national and international engagement. Metro Vancouver hosted the eighth annual Zero Waste Conference beginning on the morning of November 8 and ending after lunch on November 9, 2018. By all accounts, the programing was very successful including world class keynote speakers, thought-provoking panels and inspiring examples of success in waste prevention and circular economy solutions. As in previous years, the conference worked in close collaboration with the National Zero Waste Council – an organization focused on waste prevention and founded and supported by Metro Vancouver. There were four notable achievements in 2018:

• The demographics of the Conference participants continues to attract business people but the mix include more young innovators and entrepreneurs;

• The national character of the Conference is becoming stronger with business people and government staff registering from across Canada and beyond;

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• With an extra half day, a “deep dive” into the important and timely issue of plastic waste could be organized, including consideration of the science, policy and manufacturing challenges as well as a robust discussion of promising solutions; and

• There were positive results in seeking sponsorships for the Conference; sponsorships that strengthened the brand and provided additional revenues.

Program Highlights The focus of the 2018 Zero Waste Conference was to highlight Canadian leadership on important issues of waste prevention and the circular economy while providing the opportunities from governments, businesses and innovators from around the globe that are continuing to break ground and serve as inspiration to push harder in terms of lasting solutions that will lead to a future without waste. The Conference drew in people committed to waste prevention but they left with a greater understanding of the circular economy and more zero waste ideas and solutions. On the first day of the Conference there were panels on technology innovation, materials and design innovation, business model transformation as well as Canadian leadership in food loss and waste. The focus of day two was on dealing with the challenge of plastic waste. The keynote speakers were articulate and inspiring. Gerd Leonhard, a Futurist and Humanist, boldly predicted that we are up to the challenge of molding technology to fit our needs, Leyla Acaroglu, Design Disruptor, Creative Boundary Pusher and Cultural Provocateur, championed design as a disruptive force leading to a more sustainable world, Wayne Visser, Professor of Integrated Value and Chair of Sustainable Transformation with the Antwerp Management School, defined the value in ‘closing the loop’ in production, and Arthur Huang, Architect and Innovator and CEO and Founder of Miniwiz, energized the audience with his ground-breaking work upcycling waste into consumer products and buildings. A conversation with the leaders of government based initiatives in the circular economy from Finland, the Netherlands, and Scotland, talked about the role of government to take risks and encourage changes leading to a circular economy. Then for a change of pace, TV chef Bob Blumer demonstrated how to not waste food and use refrigerator cast-offs as raw materials for a delicious pizza, followed by a food loss and waste panel that brought together leaders around the National Zero Waste Council’s recently launched A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada. The conference included announcements related to the Canadian Innovation Showcase and National Zero Waste Council Design Portfolio. The Design Portfolio celebrates Canadian products in market that demonstrate an adherence to life cycle analysis and waste prevention in design. The Innovation Showcase recognized Canadian innovation consistent with the objectives of the Ocean Plastics Charter. In addition, three local young entrepreneurs ̶ FoodMesh, ChopValue Manufacturing, and Nada - spoke to how a commitment to waste prevention led them to start their own companies:. A good indicator of the business relevance of the Conference is that Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability for Ikea Canada, chose his spot on the Business model Transformation Panel to announce that Canadian Ikea stores will buy back Ikea furniture in return for store credit and then will sell this furniture back at a reduced price in the store's "As Is" section. The challenge of tackling plastic pollution took centre stage on the second day of the Conference. The opening keynote, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, unfortunately, had to withdraw at the last minute but was able to send her Deputy Minister, Dr. Stephen Lucas, instead.



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Dr. Lucas shared with the audience the range of initiatives Canada was leading to move towards a circular economy in plastics that would ensure that plastics are used and reused and then disposed properly at the end of their economic life. Malcolm Brodie, the Conference Host and Chair of Metro Vancouver’s 2018 Zero Waste Committee and the National Zero Waste Council, then engaged Dr. Lucas in a conversation of how best to facilitate the collaboration of governments, at all levels, business and industry, scientists and innovators in making real progress. University of Toronto researcher Chelsea Rochman delivered a sobering update on micro-plastics and the state of our ocean but offered hope through collaborative global action and regulation. Then a panel delved into the role of innovation in changing the design of products and packaging using plastics could minimize the amount of plastic waste and when combined with new systems for reuse and recycling of plastic material could move us toward a future of zero plastic waste. A highlight of the Conference was a special presentation and discussion of the founders of the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition (National Zero Waste Council is a founding member), who will be championing the adoption of a circular, sustainable approach to the Canadian economy. The Zero Waste Conference is well recognized in terms of its ability to attract high caliber speakers and panelists and the 2018 event was exceptional. The participation of thought leaders and innovators from government, business, community organizations and academia has created the sense that the Zero Waste Conference hosted by Metro Vancouver is the preeminent event to learn from and network with people leading the discussion on waste prevention and the transition to the circular economy. Attachment 1 provides the full program for the 2018 Zero Waste Conference including a description of the panels and biographies of keynotes, speakers, and moderators. Audience/Participation Total attendance at the 2018 Zero Waste Conference was just over 500. According to information provided during registration, 41% of the participants were from the private sector (from start-ups to corporate brands), 18% were from local governments (elected officials and staff), 8% from other orders of government and First Nations, 20% from not for profits/NGOs, 6% were students and faculty, and 7% were interested members of the public. The registration fee was $375 for the 2018 Conference and nearly $145,000 was raised in registration fees to augment the Conference budget. The stronger focus on recognizing innovation and the role of business in tackling the zero waste challenge in the Conference program supported by enhanced marketing and social media seem to have increased interest in the Conference among a younger demographic as well as in the business community. The Zero Waste Conference has traditionally included a satellite event hosted by the City of Toronto’s Solid Waste Management Services. This has involved an investment by both parties in some sophisticated technology to link both audiences. In 2018, a Toronto audience viewed a live stream of only the opening keynote and the panel on Materials and Design Change. This allowed the City of Toronto to focus their program on November 8 on local initiatives and ensured that people interested in the Conference program had to travel to the Vancouver Convention Centre.



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Marketing The Zero Waste Conference has a modest marketing budget of $30,000; this allows for a very limited buy of targeted print media – strategically taking advantage of special offers with specific media outlets. The goal is always to bring in new attendees as well as remind prior conference registrants to come back. In 2018 we secured space in a special circular economy insert in Maclean’s in addition to our normal ad purchase in Business in Vancouver. Given last year’s success, we also created promotional material for local and national “influencer” networks to allow them to easily reach out to their business contacts and local government colleagues. E-marketing products promoting the Conference begin going out to our existing databases in May, starting with a “save the date” message. As keynote speakers and spark talks are confirmed, blogs and e-invitations are created and distributed – through extensive lists managed by Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council. These topic-specific evites go out every 2 weeks in the beginning and then the frequency escalates as the Conference draws near. In addition, to relying on these internal lists, we ask contacts in like-minded organizations with list serves, professional association notice boards and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to help push out the evites. We also encourage speakers and moderators to market the conference through their own networks. In 2018, the members of the Circular Economy Leadership Coalition also played a key role in marketing the conference and their efforts generated positive results. We also send regular and coordinated messages through Face Book and Twitter. A small amount of printed materials (banners and book marks) are created to be made available at our Community Breakfasts, trade shows and conferences that Metro Vancouver staff are attending prior to the Conference. A promotional power point slide is added to all related Metro Vancouver presentations and event agendas and in-house produced videos have a conference tag added. Social and Earned Media A pre-event video promoting the Conference drew nearly 337,800 views across Facebook, YouTube, and the conference website. (Reference 1 provides a link to this video.) This represents a mix of organic and paid views. We promoted this through boosted posts on Facebook, pushed it out on Twitter, and used pre-roll on YouTube. The Zero Waste Conference blog is used to promote the Conference but also to stimulate thinking and conversations related to waste prevention and the circular economy. Seventeen blog posts were published in 2018, with 2559 visitors registering 5018 page views – for an average engagement of 1.96 page views per visitor. In terms of social media, the total number of tweets related to the Conference were 1,128 with a potential reach of over 3 million; this represents an increase of more than 130% over last year. In addition, the large majority of those tweets came from key influencers such as Brendan Seale and Coro Strandberg who retweet our content and generate their own posts as well. Having people with a good following and solid sustainability credentials republish our promotional material is effective in terms of extending our reach. (Attachment 2 provides a report on Twitter traffic and examples of the tweets generated at the Conference.)



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Media coverage of the 2018 Zero Waste Conference was exceptionally strong; including the front page story of The Georgia Straight on the opening keynote, Gerd Leonhard, that came out early on the opening day of the Conference. There were 22 TV and radio stories in addition to 9 print and on-line stories related to the Conference with many referring the to the Ikea announcement and Bob Blumer’s culinary demo on how to reduce needless food waste. The tone of all media stories about the programming and messaging of the Conference. Campaign Materials The Zero Waste Conference aims to be a zero waste event – we do not provide printed versions of the program or other material. With over 14 hours of programming, the Conference generates a wealth of information, ideas, and conversations. In total there were six stimulating keynote presentations, two disrupter “spark” talks, two showcases celebrating Canadian innovation and seven thought-provoking panels. This was all video-taped and is available on the Conference website and can be used by those who attended the Conference and can be shared with those who missed it. Videos of keynotes and panels of all but the very first Conference are available on the website, representing a treasure trove of information as well as a marker of how the discussion of waste prevention and the transition to the circular economy is evolving in Canada. (Reference 2 provides a link to these videos.) Sponsorships For the first time, a relatively soft exploration of the potential of sponsorships to supplement the revenue sources for the Conference was launched. Three entities that were strongly associated with the importance of waste prevention and the promise of the circular economy ̶ Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance, Cascades and the government of Holland ̶ were pursued. All three responded favourably and we were able to raise $20,000 in sponsorships. NEXT STEPS: MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM Over the eight years of its history, the Zero Waste Conference has grown in size and in profile as the venue to discuss waste prevention and the opportunities for establishing circular economy systems in Canada. The quality of the speakers and panels, pulling from thought leaders and innovators from Europe, Asia, the United States, locally and across Canada, provides a unique environment in North America to explore important themes and issues in waste prevention. Advancing a waste prevention agenda in Canada is the mission of the National Zero Waste Council and the Council bookended the Conference by holding its AGM the day prior to the Conference. As the leadership of the Council grows in terms of stature, the scheduling of the Council’s AGM in close proximity to Metro Vancouver’s Conference creates a greater draw for business and thought leaders from across Canada interested in advancing waste prevention and the transition to the circular economy to come to Metro Vancouver. The Conference will continue to be a day and half in 2019. The production value of the Conference does not need to be enhanced which will allow shifting some resources to expanded marketing efforts. In terms of programming, more white space will be created in order to enhance the networking opportunities among Conference participants.



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ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Total expenditures for the 2018 Zero Waste Conference were approximately $375,000 with revenues of $164,000 for a net cost of approximately $211,000. The budget for the conference is supported under the 2018 General Government Program and managed by the External Relations Department. SUMMARY / CONCLUSION The focus of the 2018 Zero Waste Conference was to highlight Canadian leadership on important issues of waste prevention and the circular economy while providing the opportunities from governments, businesses and innovators from around the global that are continuing to break ground and serve as inspiration to push harder in terms of lasting solutions that will lead to a future without waste. Over a day and a half of programming on November 8 and 9 there were six stimulating keynote presentations, two disrupter “spark” talks, two showcases celebrating Canadian innovation and seven thought-provoking panels. There were four notable achievements in 2018:

• The demographics of the Conference participants continues to attract business people but the mix include more young innovators and entrepreneurs;

• The national character of the Conference is becoming stronger with business people and government staff registering from across Canada and beyond;

• With an extra half day, a “deep dive” into the important and timely issue of plastic waste could be organized, including consideration of the science, policy and manufacturing challenges as well as a robust discussion of promising solutions; and

• There were positive results in seeking sponsorships for the Conference; sponsorships that strengthened the brand and provided additional revenues.

Attachments 1. Zero Waste Conference, November 8-9, 2018 “A Future without Waste: The Journey to A Circular

Economy” Program and Speaker Bios 2. Zero Waste Conference “Twitter Coverage Report: October – November 2018”

References 1. Pre-event video: https://vimeo.com/281019495 2. Videos of presentations from the 2018 Zero Waste Conference website:

http://www.zwc.ca/sessions/Pages/default.aspx 28377322


https://vimeo.com/281019495

http://www.zwc.ca/sessions/Pages/default.aspx

A Future Without Waste: The Journey to A Circular Economy

Presented by Metro Vancouver and the National Zero Waste Council

FINAL PROGRAM

Conference MC: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council

DAY ONE - November 8

8:30 am WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS

Malcolm Brodie, Conference Host, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee

• The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada - video welcome

8:45 am KEYNOTE - Gerd Leonhard, Futurist and Humanist

Gerd Leonhard, Futurist and Humanist, Zurich/Switzerland

“Humanity will change more in the next 20 years than they have in the last 300”

Making connections and advancing our thinking is one of the keys to progress. Futurist Gerd Leonhard is connecting the dots to our data-driven future – championing the benefits and highlighting the risks. Gerd’s vision of our future is that of great potential to make the world a better place for all. But he’s quick to point out the potholes on the road to a circular economy as well highlighting the technologies that will impact our lives the most, and outlining the human-scaled answers needed to ensure the 21st century landscape is a place we all want to live.

Moderator: Dr. Murali Chandrashekaran, Vice Provost, International, University of British Columbia

9:30 AM TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

The circular economy demands technological innovations on a scale not yet seen in our modern world. This pace of change is still quickening, continuing to yield unforeseen benefits and unintended consequences – from seeds of innovation planted using zero waste principles. We’ll be examining both the potential opportunities and potential pitfalls technology is creating as the circular economy grows.

Speakers

• Vanessa Grondin, Vice-President, Food and Beverage Industry, OPTEL

• Jay Thakkar, Manager, Accenture Strategy

• Garnet Miller, IT Architect, Cognitive Business Decision Support, IBM Services

Moderator: Chris Ripley, CEO, Smarter Sorting

10:15 am BREAK

10:30 am MATERIALS & DESIGN INNOVATION

ATTACHMENT 1


http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/vanessa-timmer

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/malcolm-brodie

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/gerd-leonhard

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/murali-chandrashekaran

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/vanessa-grondin

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/jay-thakkar

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/garnet-miller

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/chris-ripley

New materials and zero waste designs. Innovations in deconstruction, recycling, repair, and reuse close the loop. What does it take to move beyond our “take-make-dispose” linear mode of thinking and into a circular model? It all starts with materials and product design - redefining our relationship with stuff and designing goods without the waste embedded in current production and consumption models. Learn how inventors and pioneers in disruptive design are leading the way to the circular economy transition.

SPARK Talk

• Arthur Huang, CEO and Founder of Miniwiz

A circular economy pioneer featured in the new three-part documentary series Jackie Chan’s Green Heroes, expect Arthur to challenge your preconceptions around trash, showing how upcycling can have a massive impact on waste, and fire up your imagination with new and creative ways to succeed in the circular economy.

Panel

• Rhys Thom, Senior Design Lead, Design for Change, IDEO

• Kate Daly, Executive Director, Center for the Circular Economy, Closed Loop Partners

Moderator: Mikhael Metauro, National Business Development & Sales Strategist, Cascades Recovery

11:30 am KEYNOTE - Transformational leadership on the journey to the circular economy

A Conversation with Sitra, Zero Waste Scotland and The Netherlands Now is the time for innovative solutions and positive action. Around the world, comprehensive circular economy strategies are driving innovation and change - and much of that innovation is being led by governments. There is an important role for governments to play – not only as innovators and policy makers but as leaders encouraging change and risk. Learn from three national and international organizations at the forefront – Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund,, Zero Waste Scotland and The Netherlands.

• Mari Pantsar, Director, Carbon-Neutral Circular Economy, Sitra

• Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland

• Henk Snoeken, Consul General of the Netherlands in Vancouver

Moderator: Kathryn Gretsinger, Vancouver Journalist and Senior Lecturer, UBC Graduate School of Journalism

12:30 pm LUNCH 1:15 pm DESIGN PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE

The National Waste Council design portfolio celebrates Canadian products and packaging that take the entire lifecycle into account during design, and are moving towards a circular economy by minimizing waste. From fashion to furniture, businesses are finding cost-savings, reduced environmental impacts, and increased consumer appeal by designing differently. Join us as we showcase the 2018 recipients.

Presenters

• Malcolm Brodie , Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee


http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/arthur-huang

http://natgeotv.com/me/earth-day/galleries/jackie-chans-green-heroes

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/rhys-thom

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/kate-daly

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/mikhael-metauro

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/mari-pantsar

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/iain-gulland

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/henk-snoeken


• Jim Downham, President and CEO, Packaging Consortium (PAC) & Vice Chair, National Zero Waste

Council

1:30 pm KEYNOTE - Wayne Visser - Sustainability Innovation & Change Management/Closing the Loop

Wayne Visser, Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School

“Unless we go to circular, it's game over for the planet."

After years spent working on sustainability, Wayne Visser believes we are on the cusp of a major revolution - nothing short of the next industrial revolution. The time for fear-mongering and demonising companies has past. Now is the time for innovative solutions and positive action. This is nowhere more true than in the do-or-die challenge of creating a circular economy. A sobering thought. But Visser brings solutions - solutions to the challenges of pollution, resource depletion, and waste –a blueprint for the greener future.

Moderator: John Coyne, VP, Legal & External Affairs, Unilever Canada Inc. & Executive Chair, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance

2:15 pm BUSINESS MODEL TRANSFORMATION

Sweeping changes are coming to the marketplace. Circular principles bring challenges to traditional business practices, rewards for successful innovators, and a fundamental shift in the way we use the goods and services that drive our global economy. Exploring the factors bringing the biggest impacts, examining the trends still gaining momentum, and understanding the most effective ways to prosper in these exciting times – our speakers and panelists bring their creativity, experience, and vision to share with attendees.

Panelists • Guillaume Lavoie, Lecturer, National School of Public Administration, University of Quebec

• Megan Arnaud, Retail Leader, EILEEN FISHER Renew

• Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada

“POP-UP” Profiles

• Jessica Regan, CEO, FoodMesh

• Felix Böck, Founder and CEO, ChopValue Manufacturing Ltd.

• Brianne Miller, Founder and CEO, Nada

Moderator: Denise Taschereau, CEO & Co-Founder, Fairware

3:30 pm LEADERSHIP TO PREVENT FOOD LOSS AND WASTE

Food waste remains one of the biggest areas of waste in our society - more than a third of the food produced and distributed in Canada never gets eaten.

In this session we’ll see how private/public collaborations, industry initiatives, and consumer-driven trends are all playing a part in the fight against food waste. We can achieve far greater success through collaboration and a unified vision for change.

Zero Food Waste Culinary Showcase

• Bob Blumer, Professional Gastronaut and host of Food Network’s The Surreal Gourmet Zero Waste Committee

http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/james-d-downham

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/wayne-visser

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/john-coyne

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/guillaume-lavoie

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/megan-arnaud

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/brendan-seale

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/jessica-regan

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/felix-bock

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/brianne-miller

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/denise-taschereau

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/bob-blumer

Bob Blumer would be the first to admit it. His cooking is garbage. Behind this startling claim however, Bob delivers real world food rescue tactics that will have you looking at your kitchen waste in a whole new way. The TV chef, 'gastronaut', and ambassador for Second Harvest in Toronto will be performing live at the 2018 Zero Waste Conference, demonstrating how leftovers and unused food can become delicious meals with a little imagination and an open mind.

Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada In conjunction with key stakeholders the National Zero Waste Council launched A Food Loss and Waste Strategy for Canada– a systems based framework for preventing and reducing food waste, along with a national food waste reduction campaign: Love Food Hate Waste Canada / J’aime manger pas gaspiller .

Speakers

• Tom Rosser, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

• Sam Wankowski, Senior Vice President of Operations, Western Canada, Walmart Canada

• Lori Nikkel, CEO, Second Harvest

• Cher Mereweather, Executive Director, Provision Coalition

Moderator: Denise Philippe, Lead on Food Waste and Loss Strategy for Canada, National Zero Waste Council

4:45 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - Dr. Leyla Acaroglu - Disrupting the Status Quo

Dr Leyla Acaroglu, Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool

Sustainability Provocateur, Designer, Sociologist, Experimental Educator and Social Change Maker. Acaroglu's work illuminates the ways design impacts our perspectives and behaviours. Then she goes a step further. Looking at the stories we tell ourselves in our daily lives, in the myriad consumer choices we make, she sees the urge to make sustainable choices sabotaged by mistaken beliefs about materials and their properties. It's a big challenge, but adopting circular economy values and systems can leverage design and consumer culture as a potent catalyst for a massive change.

Moderator: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council

5:35 pm Closing Remarks


DAY TWO - November 9

8:30 am WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS


• The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment & Climate Change Strategy of British Columbia - video welcome

8:35 am KEYNOTE - Dr. Stephen Lucas, Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada Zero Waste Committee

http://www.zwc.ca/

https://secondharvest.ca/

http://www.nzwc.ca/focus/food/national-food-waste-strategy/Documents/NZWC-FoodLossWasteStrategy.pdf

http://www.nzwc.ca/focus/food/national-food-waste-strategy/Documents/NZWC-FoodLossWasteStrategy.pdf

https://lovefoodhatewaste.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/tom-rosser

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/sam-wankowski

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/lori-nikkel

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/cher-mereweather

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/denise-philippe

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/leyla-acaroglu




Dr. Stephen Lucas, Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Moderator: Malcolm Brodie, Chair, National Zero Waste Council and Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee

PLASTICS INNOVATION FORUM

Plastics are remarkably convenient, inexpensive and useful. But their durability means plastic debris is everywhere. It is choking our oceans and its animals, and potentially moving toxins up the food chain. It represents a growing loss of economic value and source of avoidable greenhouse gases. Canada and the EU’s Oceans Plastic Charter, NGO efforts and innovative businesses are aiming at circular solutions to keep plastics in the economy and out of nature.

9:15 am A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Chelsea Rochman, Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto

Global Panel

• Sonja Wegge, Project Manager for the New Plastics Economy, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

• Matthew Fraser, Senior Project Manager, Cities Programme, Circle Economy

• Daniella Russo, CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plastic™

Moderator: Christina Seidel, Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group, National Zero Waste Council

10:30 am BREAK

10:45 am ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHANGE - CANADIAN INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Global plastic pollution poses a multi-dimensional challenge to humanity, often compared to climate change in terms of impact, breadth, and complexity. A challenge of this magnitude will often inspire a surge in searches for solutions. In order to accelerate the search for solutions, Canada's National Zero Waste Council and Think Beyond Plastic™ are collaborating to produce this showcase featuring Canadian Innovations that are consistent with resource-efficient, lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy outlined in the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter.

• Daniella Russo, CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plastic™

• Jim Downham, President and CEO, Packaging Consortium (PAC) & Vice Chair, National Zero Waste Council

11:15 am A PATH FORWARD FOR CANADA: CIRCULAR ECONOMY LEADERSHIP COALITION

The Circular Economy Leadership Coalition is a national alliance of Canadian leaders working together to eliminate waste and accelerate the reductions of carbon emissions from the Canadian economy through the advancement of a circular economy. Hear from CELC members about what’s in store, and provide your thoughts and ideas on a circular economy path forward for Canada.

Presentation

• Malcolm Brodie, Chair, National Zero Waste Council


http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/stephen-lucas


http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/chelsea-rochman

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/sonja-wegge

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/matthew-fraser

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/daniella-russo

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/christina-seidel

http://www.nzwc.ca/

http://www.nzwc.ca/

https://www.tbpinnovate.com/

https://www.tbpinnovate.com/canadianinnovationshowcase

https://www.tbpinnovate.com/canadianinnovationshowcase

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/daniella-russo

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/james-d-downham

http://circulareconomyleaders.ca/


• Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada

Speakers

• David Hughes, President and CEO, The Natural Step Canada

• Stephanie Cairns, Director, Cities & Communities, Smart Prosperity Institute

• Kevin Groh, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Loblaw

• Bob Walker, Head of ESG Services, NEI Investments

Moderator: Nancy Wright, Chief Operating Officer, Globe Series

12:15 pm CLOSING LUNCH & CONFERENCE REFLECTIONS

• Mari Pantsar, Director, Carbon-Neutral Circular Economy , Sitra

• Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland

• Wayne Visser, Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School

• Leyla Acaroglu, Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool

• Henk Snoeken, Consul General of the Netherlands in Vancouver

Moderator: Vanessa Timmer, Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, National Zero Waste Council

1:15 pm CLOSING REMARKS



http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/brendan-seale

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/stephanie-cairns

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/nancy-wright

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/mari-pantsar

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/iain-gulland

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/wayne-visser

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/leyla-acaroglu

http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/henk-snoeken



A Future Without Waste: The Journey to A Circular Economy DAY ONE - NOVEMBER 8 CONFERENCE MC

Vanessa Timmer Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, NZWC

Dr. Vanessa Timmer is the Executive Director of One Earth, a Vancouver, Canada-based environmental ‘think and do tank’ creating and imagining sustainable ways of living in cities and around the world. One Earth collaborates with partners to transform how people live their lives – what they need, what they consume and produce, and what they aspire to – enabling everyone to live good quality of lives within their fair share of our planet’s resources.

Vanessa is also a Senior Research Fellow at Utrecht University with Pathways to Sustainability, the Urban Futures Studio, and the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. She holds a Doctorate and studied at Queen’s University, Oxford, UBC and Harvard. Vanessa sits on the Multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee for the United Nations 10YFP Sustainable Lifestyles Programme. In Canada, she is a Board member of the National Zero Waste Council and of the Vancouver Foundation Partnership Committee. This year she received the 2018 YWCA Women of Distinction Award in Environmental Sustainability. WELCOMING/OPENING REMARKS

Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC

Malcolm Brodie has been a Board Director and Chair of the National Zero Waste Council since its inception in October 2013. He has also been a member of Council for the City of Richmond since 1996, and following a by-election, he was sworn in as Mayor on October 29, 2001. Mayor Brodie was re-elected on November 16, 2002, November 19, 2005, November 15, 2008, November 19, 2011, and November 15, 2014.

Malcolm Brodie has been appointed by his Council to the Board of Directors of Metro Vancouver and he currently is the Chair of the Zero Waste Committee and also serves on the Intergovernmental & Finance Committee, the Mayors' Committee, the Performance & Procurement Committee, and the Federal Gas Tax Task Force. He represents Metro Vancouver on the Municipal Finance Authority, and in 2015, was elected as Chair. Before election to Council, Mayor Brodie was a practicing lawyer and had a long record of service to Richmond in the volunteer community.

OPENING KEYNOTE


http://www.zwc.ca/

Gerd Leonhard Futurist & Humanist, Author, CEO The Futures Agency, Zurich / Switzerland

Gerd Leonhard is a hunter and gatherer of human values from the future. From culture and society to commerce and technology, Gerd brings back the news from the future so business and society leaders can make better choices right now. In his latest book, Technology vs. Humanity, Gerd explores the key ethical and social questions which urgently require an answer before we increasingly abdicate our very humanity. For

organizations in the grip of disruption, Gerd supplies visionary insights and concentrated wisdom that inform key decisions makers today. A musician by origin, Gerd Leonhard has now redefined the vocation of futurist as a new humanist.

Gerd was listed as one of the top 100 influencers in technology by Wired magazine (2015). His clients include over 200 companies and organizations in 50+ countries, including Google, IPG, UBS, Roche, WWF, Cisco, KPMG, Accenture, Nestlé, Unilever, US Social Security Agency, the BBC, Universal Studios, the EU Commission and many more.

MODERATOR

Murali Chandrashekaran Vice Provost, International, University of British Columbia

Dr. Murali Chandrashekaran is the Vice Provost (International), at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, and the Fred H. Siller Professor of Marketing and Behavioural Science at UBC's Sauder School of Business. As Vice-Provost, International, Dr. Chandrashekaran provides leadership in shepherding the University's diverse and complex international activities on both campuses, and in advancing UBC's

international strategic priorities.


http://www.zwc.ca/

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Vanessa Grondin Vice-President, Food and Beverage Industry, OPTEL

Vanessa Grondin has over 10 years' experience in the food & beverage industry, in multinationals and start-ups alike. During that time, she has held a variety of management positions, mainly in R&D, QA, as well as equipment design. As Vice-President of Optel's Food and Beverage Industry, Ms. Grondin's role is to promote OPTEL's digital traceability solutions, which uses cutting-edge technologies to optimize supply chains efficiency and reduce waste. A technology enthusiast, Vanessa loves to talk about how cloud solutions, AI, IoT, blockchain and various mobile functions such

as chatbots can improve supply chain efficiency.

Jay Thakkar Manager, Accenture Strategy

Jay consults global organizations on business strategy, digital strategy, circular economy, and sustainability – often working at the cross-section of business and technology. He advises large organizations on unlocking competitive advantage from the circular economy, shaping business strategy through the lens of growth, profitability, and sustainability, and the role of technology in transforming the way we do business. Jay has helped clients in over 9 countries and across several industries.

At Accenture Strategy in Toronto, he is a global SMA on circular economy, leads CoE for ESG analytics, and advises on digital transformations. Jay’s client engagements at Accenture are diverse and include Growth Strategy, Business Model Innovation, Product Innovation, Digital Strategy and Roadmaps. Jay actively engages on several forums helping shape the sustainability agenda and has closely worked with consortia like UNGC, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), FICCI, FGI etc. in the past. When not busy helping transform the ways of business, Jay enjoys spending time in nature and walking trails.

Garnet Miller IT Architect, Cognitive Business Decision Support, IBM Services

Delivering solutions for IBMs multi-national clients who are focused on becoming digital, Garnet works with both new and established companies who are using innovation to be disruptors to the norms and methods of business in their industry. Digital business models, focused on customer experience require new innovations in products and the making and delivery of products and services. Garnet works with his clients to create a Customer Experience that meets expectations and new innovations and big ideas are the underpinning of these business models. At IBM

in Vancouver, Garnet works with IBMs global solution centres in Agriculture, Oil & Gas, Minning, and Mental Health Providers using AI & Machine Learning, Big Data, and Cloud solutions to solve modern business problems. When he's not at work Garnet enjoys outdoor activities. MODERATOR Zero Waste Committee

http://www.zwc.ca/

Chris Ripley Co-Founder and CEO of Smarter Sorting

Chris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Smarter Sorting. A true visionary, Chris is passion is driven by an obsession with problem solving, and deep seated frustration with the every-day waste and inefficiency that characterizes modern resource management. Having spent his career listening to magical solutions that might solve problems “later,” you could say that Chris is a visionary with no time for vision, instead choosing to focus his life and his career on the unlimited number of problems that can be solved right now.His passion is undergirded by decades experience

manufacturing paint, building technology and running data analytics firms. It’s this unique knowledge set, ranging from the chemical to the regulatory to the technical, that allows Chris to see opportunities and imagine solutions invisible to many in the world of waste and recycling. When not obsessing over work, you’ll find Chris enjoying himself in, near or on water.


http://www.zwc.ca/

MATERIALS & DESIGN INNOVATION

Spark Talk

Arthur Huang CEO & Founder of Miniwiz

Arthur is a structural engineer, architect, innovator of loop economy building material solutions and specialized in post-consumer trash recycling applications to help to accelerate the shift to a close-loop economy. In 2005, He founded Miniwiz, an internationally operating company based in in Taiwan, Shanghai, Berlin and Milan, and dedicated to upcycling and consumer trash and industrial waste. Under Arthur Huang’s leadership, Miniwiz received the “Technology Pioneers 2015” title by the World Economic Forum, recognizing the potential of the

emerging industry that Miniwiz is leading and the positive impact of its activities on the state of the world. Arthur also was selected as a 2016 National Geographic Explorer.

Rhys Thom Senior Design Lead, Design for Change, IDEO

Rhys Thom is an Organizational Designer and Senior Design Lead at IDEO, focused on helping clients and their companies harness creativity and the tools of design in order to be future fit. Rhys partners with leaders, organizations, NGOs, cities, and even countries to tackle complex challenges through design, spanning a range of topics from circular economy, to urban development, healthcare, and financial services. Together with his clients, Rhys designs the systems, tools, and behaviors that help organizations

adapt and routinely innovate. During his time at IDEO, Rhys has co-led an innovation lab in Peru designing solutions for the country's emerging middle class, helped to design a scalable disaster response network that connects and mobilizes veterans across continents, co-founded IDEO's Circular Economy CoLab, and guided leaders of global companies on their journeys to build design and purpose-led organizations. Prior to IDEO, he spent seven years at the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global sustainability think tank in Washington, D.C. There, Rhys was the Director of Information and Innovation for EMBARQ, the organization's center for sustainable transport and urban development. He helped to establish and grow EMBARQ's global network of organizations, working with cities and national governments around the world to design sustainable solutions for urban mobility. He also helped cultivate innovative partnerships with organizations like FedEx, Volkswagen, Caterpillar, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Forum for the Future. Rhys served as the founding editor of TheCityFix, a website dedicated to sustainable urban design and transportation that was named one of the top 50 eco-blogs in the world by The Guardian.


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Kate Daly Executive Director, Center for the Circular Economy, Closed Loop Partners

Kate Daly is Executive Director of the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners. The Center is a hub for circular business acceleration, investment, and research in packaging, food, the built environment, electronics and apparel& textiles. Kate previously served as Senior Vice President at the NYC Economic Development Corporation, where she oversaw business development programs in sectors including advanced manufacturing, smart cities, cleantech, fashion, tech, and media. Prior to NYCEDC Kate served as the Executive Director of the NYC

Landmarks Preservation Commission. Kate holds a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania.

MODERATOR

Mikhael Metauro National Business Development & Sales Strategist, Cascades Recovery+

Mikhael has been a proud member of the Cascades Family for over 15 years. With his undergraduate degree in Strategic Selling & Marketing, Mikhael currently works within the Recovery+ division of Cascades focusing on Business Development and Corporate Strategy. Day in and day out Mikhael has the opportunity to deal with a wide range of customers from different market segments and backgrounds with various types of discarded material recovery needs. “It’s amazing to see how more and more organizations are focusing on sustainability and have put the people

power in place to start thinking about better ways to recover more and waste less. For me this is where my focus has been and always will be, working with organizations to help them achieve their sustainability goals through coaching, planning and execution.” Mikhael is focused on creating a world where all materials have a positive end of life – a truly Circular Economy.


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KEYNOTE - TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP ON THE JOURNEY TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Mari Pantsar Director of Carbon-Neutral Economy at SITRA

Mari Pantsar leads the Carbon-neutral circular economy theme in Sitra - the Finnish Innovation Fund - an independent public foundation which operates directly under the supervision of the Finnish Parliament. She steers the strategy of the theme and is responsible for ensuring that all activities related to it direct Finland towards a more ecologically sustainable and competitive society. Mari has two decades of experience managing the development of cleantech and

circular economy initiatives in the private and public sector, with several companies and their boards. She has a doctorate in philosophy and holds the title of docent at the University of Helsinki and at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

Iain Gulland CEO, Zero Waste Scotland

Iain is Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland and previously led its predecessor programme, WRAP Scotland. Zero Waste Scotland leads on the delivery of the Scottish Government's Circular Economy strategy and other low carbon policy priorities, and is at the forefront of efforts to create a resource efficient, circular economy. Iain has more than 25 years' experience in sustainable resource management, including initiating recycling systems in the public and third sectors. He is the current President of the Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource

Management (ACR+) and he is a member of a number of Scottish Government strategic groups including the Economy and Environment Leaders Group, the Board of the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and the Expert Panel on Environmental Charges. He was voted the 'most influential person in the UK waste and resource efficiency sector' in 2014 by Resource Magazine, and he was granted Fellowship of Chartered Institution of Wastes Management in 2016.


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Henk Snoeken Consul General of the Netherlands in Vancouver

Henk Snoeken is Consul-General of the Netherlands in Vancouver and is the government’s representative in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the North West Territories.Before taking up his position in Vancouver, he had various positions in Dutch ministries. The latest were: Deputy Director for National Spatial Planning (2010-2014) and Deputy Director for International Relations (2014-2018) at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment in the Netherlands. As a policymaker he has been working in the field of spatial planning, water

management, logistics and sustainability, as such he has been involved in various Zero Waste and Circular Economy initiatives and was involved in setting up the Holland Circular Hotspot initiative. In the field of international relations, his focus was on climate policy, public-private cooperation and economic diplomacy. Mr. Snoeken was involved in various international trade missions focused on the Waste sector, eg to China, Indonesia and California. This has led to new international government cooperation and policy making between the Netherlands, China and Indonesia. MODERATOR

Kathryn Gretsinger Vancouver journalist and Senior Lecturer, UBC Graduate School of Journalism


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DESIGN PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE

James D Downham President & CEO PAC Packaging Consortium, Vice Chair National Zero Waste Council

Jim Downham is a former package manufacturing CEO. Currently he is the CEO of PAC Packaging Consortium and Chairman of LeaderLinx, executive recruiter serving leading packaging companies. Jim is the Vice Chairman of the National Zero Waste Council. In 2014 Jim was inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame; he is a Passionate Sustainability, Circular Economy and Brand Design Leader. Jim is a member of the

2018 Packaging Hall of Fame Commission. PAC Packaging Consortium is a nonprofit association that serves global client partners across the packaging value chain to achieve their business objectives. Under Jim's leadership PAC has created several packaging programs including PAC NEXT and PAC FOOD Sustainability Programs; the IFS PAC secure globally recognized food packaging safety standard; intelliPACK, A Smart Packaging Innovation Catalyst; the PAC GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS and the PACed Certificate Program. Jim serves on various packaging nonprofit boards and supports students through packaging design competitions and scholarships. Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC New Entrants in National Zero Waste Council’s Design Portfolio

• The Bokashi Composting Kit from Bokashi Living • GlassSipper – reusable straw • Greenomics - the Game


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KEYNOTE - SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION & CHANGE MANAGEMENT/CLOSING THE LOOP

Wayne Visser Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School

Dr Wayne Visser holds the Chair in Sustainable Transformation and is Professor of Integrated Value at Antwerp Management School. He is also Fellow of the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Director of the think-tank and media company, Kaleidoscope Futures, Founder of CSR International and Board Member of Migrant Entrepreneurs International. Dr Visser previously served as Director of Sustainability Services for KPMG and

Strategy Analyst for Capgemini in South Africa. His work as a strategy analyst, sustainability advisor, CSR expert, futurist and professional speaker has taken him to 75 countries in the past 30 years to work with over 150 clients. Dr Visser describes himself as a professional idea-monger, storyteller and meme-weaver. He sees his mission as helping to bring about transformative thinking and action in business and society. He believes that we all need to be purpose-inspired to make a positive difference.

MODERATOR

John Coyne VP, Legal & External Affairs, Unilever Canada Inc. & Executive Chair, Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance, Inc.

John is a member of Unilever Canada’s board of directors, the Canadian Leadership Team and chair of the company’s Pension Committee. John is well known for his leadership in corporate sustainability. He is a passionate activator of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever’s strategy to grow the business, reduce its environmental footprint and increase its positive contribution

to society. John is Executive Chair of the Board of Canadian Stewardship Services Alliance, Inc., Chair of the Board of Stewardship Ontario and is a director of Evergreen. In addition, John is Co-Chair of the Partners in Project Green steering committee, a major environmental initiative of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. John has been recognized for his leadership in corporate sustainability by being named a Clean 50 honouree in 2013 and a Clean 16 honouree in 2018. In 2015, John was appointed as a member of the Ontario Government’s Climate Action Group advising the Ontario Minister of the Environment on effective climate change actions that will help Ontario meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals and transition to a prosperous, low-carbon economy. In 2018, John was honoured to receive the Canadian General Counsel Award for Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership. John also works closely with industry groups and other organizations. He is Chair of the board of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation and is director and past Chair of Cosmetics Alliance Canada.


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BUSINESS MODEL TRANSFORMATION

Guillaume Lavoie Lecturer, National School of Public Administration, University of Quebec

A public policy entrepreneur, Guillaume Lavoie is one of Canada’s most visible experts in the collaborative economy and its impacts on public policy and urban affairs. A former city councillor in Montreal, he authored Canada’s first by-law to regulate the sharing of private spaces. He is also a lecturer on the collaborative economy and public policy at the National School of Public Administration (ÉNAP), and delivered 180+ speeches on the

topic, in Canada and abroad. In January 2018, he was appointed Chair of the Quebec government task force on the collaborative economy.

Megan Arnaud Retail Leader, EILEEN FISHER Renew

Megan leads the Seattle retail division of the EILEEN FISHER Renew take-back program. Under Megan’s leadership Renew has grown into a multimillion dollar business and has been recognized as a major space for innovation. Modelling a circular economy through recapturing product and shifting consumer practices, Megan’s work at EILEEN FISHER Renew inspires her to create customer connection through community, developing a

unique experiential retail model.

Brendan Seale Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada

As Head of Sustainability for IKEA Canada, Brendan Seale is responsible for activating the IKEA “People & Planet Positive” strategy across the country – to inspire and enable Canadians to live a healthier & more sustainable life at home, to achieve circular and climate positive operations, and lead towards a fair & inclusive Canadian society.

Previously Brendan served as Sustainability Advisor with The Natural Step Canada, and worked in communications with Barrick Gold Corporation. He holds an MSc in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability from Blekinge Institute of Technology (Sweden), and a BA in Communication Studies & Multimedia from McMaster University. Brendan’s feet like to keep the company of bicycle pedals, soccer cleats, ski boots, and infectious beats, and he is now a father to two young sons who have given his work a greater depth of purpose.


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Jessica Regan CEO, FoodMesh

Jessica is a 4 times entrepreneur, a certified B Corp consultant, and strategist for social impact businesses. For 12 years, Jessica has consulted for start-ups, non-profits, Fortune 100 companies, and all levels of government, including the United Nations, in areas of community economic development, and sustainability. Since 2007, Jessica has served as the Vice-Chair of KASOW, a Kenyan-based social enterprise concentrating in areas of food security, health and education. And locally,

Jessica serves on the Vancouver Food Policy Council, while developing her start up, the Mesh Exchange, a software company developing platforms to power the circular economy.

Felix Bock Founder & CEO, ChopValue Manufacturing Ltd. | Recycled Chopstick Products

Felix Böck knocks on wood for a living, and lately, his friends can find him counting chopsticks in Vancouver. ChopValue Manufacturing Ltd., has allowed Felix to discover a way to connect his expertise and research focus on bamboo composite materials within the Vancouver community while doing his PhD at the University of British Columbia. Motivated to create global impact in the bamboo industry, he has gained experience by working on projects in over 20 countries with his firm CrossLink Technologies - where ChopValue originated as a product development

exercise.

Brianne Miller Founder & CEO - Nada

Brianne is a marine biologist turned entrepreneur with a passion for driving positive change. As an expert in zero waste living and local food systems, she loves connecting people to their environment and coming up with creative solutions to complex conservation problems. Having seen firsthand the impacts of our current food system on the oceans, Brianne is committed to revolutionizing the food system from the ground up so that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from the world’s oceans. Brianne is the founder of Nada, a package-free grocery store on a mission to inspire people to change the way they shop for

groceries. She is a United Nations #notwasting ambassador, sits on the Vancouver Food Policy Council, and is a 2018 SheEO venture winner.


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MODERATOR

Denise Taschereau CEO and Co-founder, Fairware

As chief executive officer (CEO) and cofounder of Fairware she is responsible for business development, product sourcing, as well as, Fairware’s ethical sourcing and sustainability programs. Denise got the idea to launch Fairware when she noticed how difficult it was to source promotional merchandise that reflected the social and environmental priorities of many of the brands and organizations she admired. Prior to starting Fairware, Denise spent seven years as the Director of Sustainability

and Community for Mountain Equipment Co-op, Canada’s largest outdoor retailer. At MEC, she oversaw the Co-op’s national environmental programs, community grant-making and ethical sourcing programs, and wrote their award-winning first Sustainability Report. She is currently a mentor for Spring.is, an accelerator and incubator that is using business as a force for good to empower social impact leaders with the know-how, network and support needed to build a better business. Denise was a member of ETSY’s Manufacturing Advisory Board, a Board Member with the Green Meeting Industry Council and the past co-chair of Vision Vancouver. She has a Masters of Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University. LEADERSHIP TO PREVENT FOOD LOSS AND WASTE

SHOW CASE

Bob Blumer Professional Gastronaut and host of Food Network’s The Surreal Gourmet

Bob Blumer is a professional gastronaut with an adrenaline addiction and a passion for wasted food. He has created and hosted three award-winning TV series that have aired in over 20 countries, written six acclaimed cookbooks, and broken eight food-related Guinness World Records. In his books and appearances around the globe, Bob transforms ordinary ingredients into wow-inspiring dishes through simple cooking methods and

whimsical presentations that have become his culinary trademark. Publishers Weekly summed up his most recent book Glutton for Pleasure as: “equal parts memoir, lavish art book, multi-genre soundtrack and culinary tour de force”.


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http://spring.is/

Tom Rosser Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Tom Rosser joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy in January 2017. He is responsible for leading on major policy issues on behalf of the Department including Cabinet and intergovernmental affairs, development of a national food policy, as well as economic analysis. He is also the Department's Champion for mental health and wellness.

Before joining AAFC, he was the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, responsible for policy development, Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs, communications, economic analysis and trade.

Sam Wankowski Senior Vice President of Operations, Western Canada, Walmart Canada

As the Senior Vice President for Walmart Canada’s Western Canada Operations, Sam is responsible for leading a world-class team while overseeing and executing a strategy aimed at ensuring sustainable value for Walmart’s customers.

Since joining Walmart more than 10 years ago, Sam has held a variety of roles across various divisions of the business including managing key hardlines portfolios for Walmart Canada. Prior to joining Walmart, Sam was held merchandising and

marketing roles at Asda, a leading British supermarket retailer. Sam has a Bachelor of Honours in Business and Quality Management from The Nottingham Business School. Outside of work he is an avid runner and sports fan.

Lori Nikkel CEO, Second Harvest

Lori is a vocal and passionate champion of environmental and social justice issues related to food and is sought after for her expertise internationally. Lori advised on the development of the provincial Food and Organic Waste Framework with the Ministry of Environment and Conservation and Parks and is the Co-chair of the Food Working Group at the National Zero Waste Council – a leadership initiative that brings together governments, businesses and organizations to advance waste prevention in Canada.

As CEO for Second Harvest - Canada’s largest Foodrescue organization- she ensures that over 12 million lbs of nutrient dense surplus food is diverted to social service agencies. Her current project is www.Foodrescue.ca, a web-based platform that takes a local and technology approach to rescuing and delivering food. Zero Waste Committee

http://www.zwc.ca/

http://www.foodrescue.ca/

Cher Mereweather Executive Director, Provision Coalition

Cher is one of Canada's leaders in food manufacturing sustainability. As Executive Director of Provision Coalition, an organization she founded with the country's top food and beverage professional associations, Cher works directly with manufacturers to transform their business culture and operations. An advocate for change and a passionate spokesperson, Cher has dedicated her career to advancing sustainability concepts within the Canadian food industry and sustainability solutions at the firm level. Most recently, Cher has sharpened Provision's focus on the reduction of food loss and waste, responsible sourcing and

climate change mitigation, by developing innovative technologies and on-line tools that will modernize facility processing. Cher's career has included time with the Guelph Food Technology Centre where she established and directed the Sustainability Consulting Business Unit, and executive positions in environmental economics and policy with the Canadian agri-food think tank, the George Morris Centre. Cher holds a Bachelor and Master's degree in Environmental Economics and Policy. Cher has also been awarded the Canadian Grocer Generation Next award for her leadership, innovation and excellence in sustainability within the food and beverage industry.

MODERATOR

Denise Philippe Lead on Food Waste and Loss Strategy for Canada, NZWC

Denise supports the National Zero Waste Council on projects, working groups, and organizational development. For the past 4 years, Denise has helped drive forward the Council's work on food waste prevention and reduction, largely through the initiatives of the Food Working Group, and the National Strategy on Food Waste Reduction. Denise is also a Senior Policy Advisor with Metro Vancouver, the regional government that houses the Council. She is a certified planner who has been engaged in

community and land use planning, and stakeholder engagement for over two decades, in both Canada and overseas. She has a Master's in Education with expertise in environmental/sustainability education, facilitation and dialogue.


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KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - DISRUPTING THE STATUS QUO

Leyla Acaroglu Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool

Design disruptor, creative boundary pusher, and cultural provocateur, Dr. Leyla Acaroglu (A-jar-a-loo) embodies the innovation that instigates positive environmental and social change. A designer, social scientist, and sustainability expert, Leyla is internationally recognized as a leading force in the movement for design being used as effective catalyst for positive social and environmental change. She is the developer of the

Disruptive Design Method and founder of the award-winning experimental educational initiative The UnSchool of Disruptive Design. Leyla was awarded 2016 Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme, and is an internationally respected keynote speaker and trusted expert, having led thousands of hours of workshops, lectures, activations, and educational experiences around the world. Leyla was a visiting scholar at NYU and an Innovator in Residence at the Center for Social Innovation NYC. She was also an invited Artist in Residence with Autodesk and managed the development of ‘Greenfly,' one of the first online life cycle assessment tools for designers. Leyla is regularly invited to provide her professional opinions on radio and TV, having been a regular judge on the ABC TV show The New Inventors, along with a host of international programs.

MODERATOR

Vanessa Timmer Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, NZWC

CLOSING REMARKS Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC


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DAY TWO - NOVEMBER 9

WELCOME/OPENING REMARKS Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC

KEYNOTE

Stephen Lucas Deputy Minister of Environment & Climate Change Canada

Dr. Stephen Lucas was appointed Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on January 23, 2017.

As Senior Associate Deputy Minister (Climate Change) from June 2016 to January 2017, Dr. Lucas led work in support of the development and adoption of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Before joining ECCC, Dr. Lucas was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Plans and Consultations and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Privy Council Office. From 2013 to 2014, he was

Assistant Secretary, Economic and Regional Development Policy, at the Privy Council Office. As Assistant Deputy Minister, Science and Policy Integration at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) from 2009 to 2013, he was responsible for strategic policy development related to energy, mineral and forest resources, climate change and clean energy and international and intergovernmental relations. Prior to that, from 2007 to 2009, he was Assistant Deputy Minister, Minerals and Metals Sector, at NRCan, where he provided leadership on innovation, green mining and corporate social responsibility. Dr. Lucas was Director General in the Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) at Health Canada from 2003 to 2007, Senior Director at NRCan for Science, Innovation, Regional and Aboriginal Affairs from 2000 to 2003, and Director of Policy Planning and Coordination in the Earth Sciences Sector at NRCan from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Lucas started his career as a research scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada in 1988. He has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Geological Engineering from Queen’s University and a Ph.D. in structural geology and tectonics from Brown University. MODERATOR Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC


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PLASTICS INNOVATION FORUM

Chelsea Rochman Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Chelsea Rochman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto. She received her PhD in Ecology from the University of California, Davis and was a recipient of the Society for Conservation Biology's David H. Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship. Chelsea has been researching the sources, sinks and ecological implications of plastic debris in marine and freshwater habitats for the past decade. She has published dozens of scientific papers in respected journals and has led international working groups about plastic pollution. In addition to her academic research, Chelsea works hard to translate her science beyond academia. She served

as an expert witness, testifying in California about microplastics, and presented her work to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, NY, and at the US State Department in Washington, DC.

Matthew Fraser Senior Project Manager, Cities Programme, Circle Economy

Matthew is driven by the need to realise a new economic model that deliver prosperity within the means of our planet, and acknowledges that cities have a pivotal role to play in catalysing that transition globally. In his role as a Senior Project Manager at Circle Economy, he works together with cities to scope their opportunities and realize innovative and practical circular economy strategies. He also leads the development of digital tools that will allow cities and businesses to harness local data

to capitalise on the benefits brought by the circular economy and take the first critical steps toward implementation. Matthew’s background is rooted in sustainability advisory, where he previously tackled complex global challenges like the food system, logistics and mobility, and sustainable consumption.

Daniella Russo CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plastic™

Daniella Russo believes that intractable environmental challenges can be addressed by harnessing the forces of innovation and entrepreneurship, and the power of the markets to do good. Since 2009, she has led the development of an innovation eco-system enabling the circular economy incorporating bio-based, bio-benign materials from renewable sources, associated manufacturing, and innovative consumer and business products specifically designed to handle these new materials.

Daniella Russo is a serial entrepreneur. Her experience includes executive management of businesses from start-up phase through an IPO (such as Frame Technology, Infoseek and others), as well as Fortune-500 companies (Sun Microsystems, and Xerox PARC).


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Daniella Russo is a member of the Founders Board of Advisors at StartX Stanford Student Startup Accelerator. She is an Associate Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies Graduate Program in International Policy and Management. She serves on the Board of numerous NGOs and businesses.

Sonia Wegge Project Manager, New Plastics Economy Initiative, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Sonja is a Project Manager for the New Plastics Economy Initiative of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The New Plastics Economy is an ambitious three-year initiative to rethink and redesign the plastics system based on circular economy principles. It brings together key stakeholders from across the plastics value chain to change the way we produce, use and reuse plastics, starting with packaging.

Having a background in Packaging Engineering, Sonja gained some years of hands-on experience in industry before she found a new home on the Isle of Wight. Find out more about the initiative by visiting https://newplasticseconomy.org/

MODERATOR

Christina Seidel Co-Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group, NZWC

Christina holds a Masters degree in Environmental Design (Environmental Science), as well as a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and is currently undertaking her PhD in Engineering Management, with a thesis topic of Assessing Recycling Options using Life- Cycle Assessment. She operates sonnevera international corp., a waste reduction consulting firm, and is the current Executive Director of the Recycling Council of Alberta. Christina loves rural life, choosing to live on a farm near Bluffton, Alberta, where her and

her family raise Warmblood horses, and enjoy many other outdoor activities.


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https://newplasticseconomy.org/

ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHANGE - CANADIAN INNOVATION SHOWCASE

James D Downham President & CEO PAC Packaging Consortium, Vice Chair National Zero Waste Council

Daniella Russo CEO & Founder, Think Beyond Plastic™

FINALISTS

Luca Corbellini, Senior Developer, Smart Composites at Bioastra Technologies Jocelyn Doucet, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pyrowave Andy Chou, co-founder of Soapstand Matt Livingstone, the Sustainability Lead for Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery (SPUD)


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A PATH FORWARD FOR CANADA: CIRCULAR ECONOMY LEADERSHIP COALITION

Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC

Brendan Seale Head of Sustainability, IKEA Canada

Stephanie Cairns Director of Cities and Communities & Policy Director of Circular Economy, Smart Prosperity Institute David Hughes President and CEO, The Natural Step Canada Kevin Groh Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Loblaw Bob Walker Head of ESG Services, NEI Investments

MODERATOR

Nancy Wright Chief Operating Officer, Globe Series

Nancy has served as Chief Operating Officer of GLOBE Series since 2015 where she’s been responsible for the overall operations of the company and the events portfolio. Her strength in partnership building and corporate engagement have led her to connect with thousands of senior corporate and government leaders over the course of her career. Winner of Canada’s Clean50 award for 2017, she curates partnerships for GLOBE Series that catalyze innovation, advance the sustainable economy transition and transform business practices. Previous to 2015 Nancy spent two decades building the GLOBE Foundation, a not for profit environmental business foundation with a mandate to promote

the business case for sustainable development. Created in 1993, the Foundation became one of the most widely recognized business Foundations in Canada. Through her roles in marketing and operations, she helped build GLOBE Forum into one of the most famous brands of sustainable business conferences in the world. Zero Waste Committee

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CLOSING LUNCH & CONFERENCE REFLECTIONS

Mari Pantsar Director of Carbon-Neutral Economy at SITRA

Iain Gulland CEO, Zero Waste Scotland

Wayne Visser Professor of Integrated Value & Chair of Sustainable Transformation, Antwerp Management School

Leyla Acaroglu Founder & Chief Disrupter, Unschool

MODERATOR Vanessa Timmer Co-Founder and Executive Director, One Earth and Board Member, NZWC

CLOSING REMARKS Malcolm Brodie Chair, Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee and Chair, NWZC


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1© 2018 Agility PR Solutions

Presented by

Zero Waste ConferenceTwitter Coverage Report

October - November 2018

ATTACHMENT 2



Total Tweets: Potential Reach

1,128 3,134,832Tweets Over Time

Year-Over-Year Comparison

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#foodwaste

#zwc2018

#zerowaste

#circulareconomy

#zwc18

#zwc18 had 495 mentions, while

#zwc2018 had 138 mentions during the

conference

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*Data on this page only reflects tweets using the official hashtags

Tweets: 96Followers before ZWC 2018: 29,643Followers after ZWC 2018: 29,781

Tweets: 38Followers before ZWC 2018: 1,781Followers after ZWC 2018: 1,929

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Tweets: 116Followers before ZWC 2018: 55Followers after ZWC 2018: 171

Retweets Likes Total Engagement

73 159 232


119 350 469


31 87 118

@ZWCVancouver@MetroVancouver@nzwcouncil



Top Influencers by # of Tweets

Top Influencers by # of Followers


27

25

12

3

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Coro Strandberg

David Hughes

Brendan Seale

Kelly Greene - Rmd City Councillor

Haley Anderson

Ebi Ember

Environment Canada

Iain Gulland

Jennie Lynn Moore

GLOBE Series


40,955

41,316

42,770

45,016

45,430

50,502

82,565

89,928

420,720

694,628

Leyla Acaroglu

UBC Sauder School

Coro Strandberg

Minister C. McKenna

Mari Pantsar

Stephen Gill FRSA

Second Harvest

Gerd Leonhard

Prof Wayne Visser

Environment Canada

9

10

11

12

13

13

16

18

25

26

Jessica Hale Woo

David Hughes

Eudora Koh

Prof Wayne Visser

Toby Russell

Goodly Foods

Joanne Gauci

Jennie Lynn Moore

seatoskyremoval

Coro Strandberg

Top Influencers by Engagement



Retweets: 12Like: 33

Retweets: 15Like: 22


Retweets: 9Like: 23

Retweets: 5Like: 16


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To: Zero Waste Committee From: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services Date: February 1, 2019 Meeting Date: February 8, 2019 Subject: Manager’s Report RECOMMENDATION That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated February 1, 2019, titled “Manager’s Report”. Regional Organics Management Organics regulatory framework and procurement processes are 2019 work-plan items for the Zero Waste Committee. Metro Vancouver staff have been working with member municipal staff on a range of possible regional organics management roles for Metro Vancouver. Options that have been identified include the region taking no role in managing organics, providing transfer facilities as part of the region’s transfer station network, or actively developing facilities likely in partnership with the private sector and/or member jurisdictions. More information will be brought forward to the Committee following completion of Metro Vancouver’s engagement with member staff. Residential Gypsum Program Metro Vancouver has expanded its used residential gypsum disposal program, following a two-year pilot project at transfer stations in Maple Ridge and Langley. The program has been expanded to the region’s remaining three transfer stations¬ – North Shore, Surrey, and Coquitlam in late 2018. Used gypsum is also accepted for disposal at the Vancouver Landfill in Delta. Used gypsum may contain asbestos and must be handled and disposed of with care. This program provides a safe method for residents to dispose of small quantities of used gypsum without first having it tested for asbestos. Residents can drop off up to 10 bags of used gypsum per trip, up to five times per year. The used gypsum must be double-bagged and sealed in special clear “used gypsum program” bags, which are available at many home improvement retailers. Residents drop off the sealed bags in a separate bin, which is then sent for disposal. New, never installed, gypsum is accepted for recycling at all Metro Vancouver transfer stations. Matsqui Transfer Station Demolition The Matsqui Transfer Station, located in Abbotsford, permanently closed in late 2015. In December 2016, a water line burst under the transfer station building resulting in a large void under the slab, rendering the building unstable and unsafe. Various remediation strategies were explored and demolition was identified as most cost-effective. The site was demolished in December 2018 leaving only the building slab and footings in place. Approximately 90% of the materials were diverted from

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Manager’s Report Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: February 8, 2019

Page 2 of 2 garbage through recycling and when items salvaged for reuse are considered, the diversion rate increases to approximately 94%. Weigh Scale Replacements Between March and November 2018 Solid Waste Services replaced five vehicle weigh scales and added traffic control devices (retracting arms) and customer-facing weight and fee displays at the Langley Transfer Station, Maple Ridge Transfer Station and the Waste-To-Energy Facility. The project replaced the 30-year-old infrastructure with modern scales providing two key benefits: 1) longer scales can accommodate truck and trailer combinations and transfer trailers and 2) digital technology resulting in more consistent and accurate weighing. In addition, the scale replacement ensures compliance with new regulations from Measurement Canada. Weigh Scale System – Electronic Signature Pads In 2018 the weigh scale system at Metro Vancouver disposal facilities was upgraded to include electronic signature pads for account customers. The project has reduced the number of tickets printed by more than 500,000 per year and has improved the efficiency of the program and its administration. Electronic Disposal Ban Surcharge Program Under the Metro Vancouver disposal ban program, haulers are issued surcharges if garbage loads dropped off at transfer stations have excessive recyclables or other unacceptable materials. Inspections are conducted by a third party contractor. The existing program is based on hand written paper surcharge notices. Photos of loads are only provided to haulers on request and take at least a week to be sent to haulers. A program is being launched in February where surcharge notices and photos will be immediately transmitted to haulers via email. To Metro Vancouver’s knowledge this is the first program of its type in North America, and should assist haulers in responding to excessive recyclables in loads. More information on the program will be provided at future Zero Waste Committee meetings. Regional Facilities Tour A tour of regional solid waste will be organized for Zero Waste Committee members with visits to the Vancouver Landfill, the Waste-to-Energy Facility and the Coquitlam Transfer Station. Attendance at 2019 Standing Committee Events Participation at external events provides important learning and networking opportunities. The following events that fall under the purview of the Zero Waste Committee are included in the 2019 Leadership and Engagement Budget:

• BioCycle West Coast Conference Date: April 1-4, 2019 Location: Portland, Oregon

Number of attendee(s): 2 depending on availability of committee members BioCycle is dedicated to the advancement of organics management. The BioCycle West Conference provides an opportunity to learn more about the experiences of communities across North America in managing organics.

• Recycling Council of BC 2019 Conference and Trade Show Date: May 8-10, 2019 Location: Whistler, British Columbia

Number of attendee(s): 1 Zero Waste Committee

Manager’s Report Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: February 8, 2019

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With the overarching goals of reducing waste and building a circular economy, the conference offers progressive programming featuring best practices, theory, and innovations from BC, Canada, and beyond.

• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Wastecon Conference 2019

Date: October 21–24, 2019 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Number of attendee(s): 1 SWANA’s Wastecon Conference provides an opportunity to participate in sessions on waste reduction, recycling and residuals management

• Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Conference Date: October 30-31, 2019 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Number of attendees: any Zero Waste Committee member can attend; no need to apply to Chair to attend. The Zero Waste Conference will cover areas like reimagining linear systems of production and consumption, embrace new ways of thinking, innovation, and disruption to address barriers and intractable problems.

Please notify the Committee Chair as soon as possible, but no later than February 22, 2019 if you are interested in attending any of the above-noted events. 2018 Zero Waste Committee Work Plan The attachment to this report sets out the Committee’s work plan for 2019. The status of work program elements is indicated as pending, in progress or complete. The listing is updated as needed to include new issues that arise, items requested by the Committee and changes in the schedule. 27988447


Zero Waste Committee 2019 Work Plan

Report Date: February 1, 2019 Priorities

1st Quarter Status 2017 Solid Waste and Recycling - Annual Report Complete Solid Waste Regulatory Framework - Update Pending Electronic Disposal Ban Tool Pending 2018 Waste Composition Monitoring Program Pending Recycling Markets Update Pending National Zero Waste Council Update Pending 2018 Zero Waste Conference Results Pending 2018 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign Results Pending 2018 Food Scraps Campaign Results Complete 2019 Textiles Campaign Launch Pending Residential Used Gypsum Disposal Program Update Pending Customer Operational Notification Pending Asset Management Policy Pending 2nd Quarter 2018 Disposal Ban Inspection Program Pending Coquitlam Transfer Station Replacement – Update and Operations Contract Pending Single Use Item Reduction Strategy Pending Organics Regulatory Framework and Procurement Processes Pending Construction and Demolition Material Regulatory Framework Pending Transfer Station Paid Recyclables Funding Model Pending Love Food Hate Waste Canada – Campaign Updates Pending 2018 Waste-to-Energy Facility Financial Summary Pending 2018 Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Performance Summary Pending Waste-to-Energy Facility Non-Ferrous Metal Recovery System Pending Solid Waste Energy Policy Pending 30-Year Financial Plan: Solid Waste Scenarios Pending 3rd Quarter 2019 Zero Waste Conference Pending Extended Producer Responsibility Pending Expanded Polystyrene Disposal Ban Implementation Progress Pending Surrey Recycling and Waste Drop-Off Facility – Construction Contract Pending Unsecured Loads Surcharge Update Pending 2019 Textiles Campaign Results Pending Waste-to-Energy Options Pending 4th Quarter 2020 Tipping Fee Bylaw Revisions Pending 2020-2024 Financial Plan – Solid Waste Services Pending Waste-to-Energy Facility – Biosolids Utilization Business Case and Conceptual Design Pending 2018 Solid Waste and Recycling – Annual Report Pending 2019 Abandoned Waste Campaign Results Pending Ellen MacArthur Foundation Membership Pending

ATTACHMENT
