Mayor's Report - September 2007

Each year, the people and businesses in the Lower Mainland generate 3 million tonnes of garbage and recyclables, and we must face the reality that the Cache Creek landfill is expected to reach its capacity by the end of 2008. As a consequence of the economic and environmental costs of handling these vast amounts of materials, reducing the amount of garbage we produce ― also called solid waste ― is an important step for all residents of the region. Increasing the amount of recyclables that are processed into other products, rather than winding-up in landfills, is one of a variety of things we can do to help this region move towards a long-term goal of sustainability.

Studies show that about one-half of our refuse gets recycled by residents and businesses. Beyond using “blue boxes”, the recycling options available to residents have grown to include product stewardship programs run by industries for products from batteries to beverage containers. However, we need to do much more! As a result, on May 26^th, 2006, the GVRD Board (now called Metro Vancouver ) adopted the Zero Waste Challenge ― one step towards a new Solid Waste Management Plan for the region.
For more information go to the Zero Waste Challenge website.

Metro Vancouver coordinates the long-range planning process for recycling and disposing of solid waste in the Lower Mainland. Metro Vancouver also funds and operates the transfer stations, incinerator and landfills that make-up what’s known as the integrated waste management system for processing our garbage, and Metro Vancouver also helps coordinate the operations of member municipalities.

Once our garbage has been picked-up, it is taken to one of six transfer stations in the Lower Mainland where a final check is done for hazardous wastes and recyclable materials before it is loaded into large trucks for delivery to one of the landfills. As of January 1^st, 2008, solid waste deliveries to the transfer stations found to contain banned materials will be penalized by applying a 50% surcharge to the delivery (tip fee) charge.

What NOT to put in the garbage ― There are certain materials that Metro Vancouver disposal facilities do not accept, either because there already are disposal programs set-up for these items, such as product stewardship programs, or because they are designated as household hazardous wastes. The following are banned materials that Metro Vancouver will not accept in municipal solid waste:

• Cardboard / Paper
• Plastics / Other Recyclable Materials
• Beverage Containers
• Drywall / Gypsum
• Wood / Construction Waste
• Medications / Pharmaceuticals
• Lead-Acid Batteries / Rechargeable Ni-Cd Batteries
• Fluorescent Tubes
• Paint, solvents, flammable liquids, gasoline and pesticides
• Cleaners / Detergents
• Scrap Tires
• Used Oil / Oil Filters
• Computers / Electronic & Electrical Equipment
• Yard Waste / Weeds / Leaves / Tree Trimmings

Please do your part to reduce costs ― Help with the Zero Waste Challenge by recycling and ensuring that banned materials are put into the garbage.

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