Mayor's Report - March 2008

An operations analysis of the compactor and recycling facility for 2007 has again provided some very interesting statistics. Last year Belcarra residents generated 397,188 pounds (198.6 tons) of refuse and 226,664 pounds (113.3 tons) of recyclables. This was a total waste stream of 623,832 pounds (311.9 tons) for 2007.

It is interesting to note that the volume of waste for 2007 equates to 1,890 pounds per household, which is 9% more than last year, and 26% more than the “low” of 1,500 pounds per household disposed in 1995! There has been considerable “abuse” of Belcarra’s facilities by residents dropping-off non-permitted items such as gyproc, wood waste, appliances, mattresses, sofas, chairs, shelving and other unwanted furniture, old paint cans, car batteries, car tires, and used motor oil. In addition, anecdotal evidence also suggests that unauthorized use of Belcarra’s refuse and recycle facilities is a problem — residents have observed persons from neighbouring areas bringing their garbage to Belcarra. It’s clear that further measures are now needed to address the problems of non-permitted waste disposal.

In 1999 the GVRD residential sector generated 738,656 tons (671,505 tonnes) of solid waste which equates to 702 lbs per capita. By comparison, Belcarra’s 700 residents generated a total of 311.9 tons of solid waste in 2007 which equates to 891 lbs per capita of which 36% was recycled. In other words, it would appear that Belcarra residents generated 27% more solid waste per capita in 2007 than the GVRD average. I interpret these statistics as probable confirmation that garbage is being “imported” into Belcarra for disposal!

Further analysis shows that it cost $149 per ton to transport and dispose of the garbage (compared to $131 per ton in 2006), and only $75 per ton to transport and process the recyclables. Disposal costs are rapidly increasing, primarily due to increased haulage charges and fuel cost surcharges. It is therefore imperative that Belcarra significantly improve the percentage diverted to recycling in order to contain the growth in waste disposal costs.

When Belcarra’s recycling program began in 1990, processing recyclables actually cost a “premium” over garbage disposal costs. However, by the start of 1994, the cost of processing recyclables had decreased to $69 per ton, the same cost as the “tip fee” at the regional landfills. Today, recycling saves the community $68 per ton! The obvious conclusion:

We can only improve our recycling effort with the total involvement and support of the users of the system, that is, the residents of Belcarra. The cost of garbage disposal will continue to increase in the coming years, and there will be an increased price to pay if we don't continue to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

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