Improving Waste Management in Non-Market Housing

IMPROVINGWASTEMANAGEMENTINNON-MARKETHOUSING:

Challenges,strategies,andrecommendations

togettozerowaste

PreparedbyAndrewR.MartinGreenestCityScholar,CityofVancouver

MCRPCandidate,SCARP,UBCAugust,2016

Report:ImprovingWasteManagementinNon-MarketHousing2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report was made possible thanks to the support of numerous waste managemententhusiasts at the City of Vancouver, as well as at many other municipalities, regionalgovernments,housingauthorities,nonprofits,andwastemanagementcompanies.Inparticular,Iwouldliketothankthefollowingindividualsfortheirgenerosityinsharingtheirvaluabletimeandinsights:AngieNicolás,AnnaDyer,BrianBeck,BrianButt,BrianWong,CharlotteUeta,CelineMauboules, Donna Taylor, Doug Schell, Doris Chow, Faisal Mizra, George Simpson, HannaMusslic,JeffWint,JimHeeps,JonathanMcDermott,JordanParente,KathleenBelton,KatrusiaBalan,KennySiu,LauraBarreca,LinhHuynh,LizBlakeway,MartaSanchez-Blasco,MonikaCzyz,Ruben Anderson, Ryan Wong, Sandra Mills, Sepideh Datoobar, Shannon Hadley, ShaunMcKibben,SherriMatt,SuzannZimmering,TinaWinberg,TraceyTobin,andUlrykeWeissgerber.IamalsoverygratefultoTerryFultonatMetroVancouverandtheteamatTetraTechfortheircollaboration in conducting awaste audit for this study. Finally, a special thank you to theGreenestCityScholarsprogramcoordinatorsJenniferWahl,KatieDollingandKarenTaylor,tothe SolidWasteManagement team at the City of Vancouver, and especially tomymentor,PatrickChauo,forhiscontinuoussupportthroughoutmyresearch.

Image:TheVancouverLandfill,inDelta.


TABLEOFCONTENTS

EXECUTIVESUMMARY..........................................................................................................................4

Acronyms&Definitions......................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................13Projectbackground.................................................................................................................................13Scope......................................................................................................................................................14Methods.................................................................................................................................................16Limitations..............................................................................................................................................17

CONTEXT............................................................................................................................................18PolicydirectivesfromtheCityofVancouver..........................................................................................18Rationaleforthisstudy...........................................................................................................................18Backgroundontheissue........................................................................................................................20

KEYFINDINGS.....................................................................................................................................23I.Residentengagementandmotivationsforwastesorting...................................................................23II.Wastemanagementsystemuserinterface........................................................................................33III.Wastestreamcontamination............................................................................................................37IV.Wastestorage....................................................................................................................................45V.Bulkywastemanagementandillegaldumping..................................................................................50VI.Supportingandbuildingrelationshipswithbuildingstaff.................................................................55VII.Hauler-relatedissues........................................................................................................................58VIII.Budgetlimitationsforbuildingoperators.......................................................................................61

ASSESSINGWASTEVOLUMES..............................................................................................................66Estimatingsectorwastevolumes...........................................................................................................66Wasteaudits...........................................................................................................................................70

RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................................74Shortterm(by2020)..............................................................................................................................74Longterm(beyond2020).......................................................................................................................78

AREASFORFURTHERRESEARCH.........................................................................................................80

REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................81Articles,booksandwebsites..................................................................................................................81Interviewsandwritteninputs................................................................................................................86

Report:ImprovingWasteManagementinNon-MarketHousing

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EXECUTIVESUMMARY

PROJECTBACKGROUND

Thegoalofthisstudyistosupportthelongtermvisionofzerowaste.AdvancementsareguidedbypoliciesfromtheCityofVancouver’sGreenestCityActionPlan,includingadirectivetoreducesolidwastegoingtolandfillorincineratorby50%from2008levelsby2020.Duetogenerallylowparticipation rates in zero waste programs, waste management systems in the non-markethousingsectorwereidentifiedasneedingcloserstudytounderstandprevailingneeds,challenges,andopportunitiesforsupport.Wastemanagementstreamsexploredinthisstudyincludeprogramsfororganics,recycling,garbage,andbulkywaste.Housingtypesstudiedincludeshelters,SROs,supportivehousing,andnon-marketrentalhousing,whichtogethertotal634sitesorapproximately13%ofVancouver’smulti-unitresidentialbuildingsites.Asetofstrategieswascompiledthroughaliteraturereviewandextensivediscussionswithkeystakeholdersincludingbuildingmanagers,housingoperators,wastehaulers,andmunicipal&regionalgovernmentstaff.InputwassoughtprimarilyfromorganizationsintheVancouverregion,andadditionalcasestudieswereobtainedfromToronto,Seattle,SanFranciscoandCopenhagen.Finally,asetof25recommendationswasdevelopedfortheCityofVancouver.Giventhemulti-jurisdictionalnatureofwastemanagementintheregion,manyoftheserecommendationswillrequireextensivecollaborationwithotherlevelsofgovernment,aswellaslocalbusinessesandnon-profitorganizations,inordertobeimplemented.Manyrecommendationsapplytoallmulti-unitresidentialbuildings.Theapproachtakeninthisresearchemphasizesthecomplexityandprevailinginequitiespresentinwastemanagementsystems.Bythenatureoffocusingonbuildingsthathouseindividualswithbarriers,itistobeexpectedthatcustomizedapproachesandextrasupportarerequiredinordertoseeprogramimprovements.Uptothispoint,therearenoprogramsinplaceattheCitythatspecificallyaddresstheneedsofthissector.NumerousstakeholdersmadecleartheirreadinesstocollaboratewiththeCityonimprovingwastemanagementintheirbuildings.Manycitiesandhousingprovidersgloballyarestrugglingwiththesameissues.Thisreportisafirststep,butfurtherstudyonthistopicissorelyneededinVancouverandinternationally.


KEYFINDINGS

Listedbelowaretheprevailingchallengesfacingwastemanagementprograms innon-markethousing. In the full report, findings are organized according to challenge type, including adiscussionofeachchallengewithcasesandstakeholderinputs,andsuggestedrecommendationsspecific to the City of Vancouver. The 19 challenge areas are sorted into eight thematicgroupings,andarenumberedinthefullreportastheyarebelow.

I. RESIDENTENGAGEMENTANDMOTIVATIONSFORWASTESORTING

Numerous hurdles can exist that prevent residents from participating inwastemanagementsystems. Insight into the personal barriers facing residents is essential to develop anunderstandingoftheirneedsandpreferences,sothatsystemsaredesignedtomeetresidents“where theyareat”. Thedevelopmentofpositive rolemodels anduseof feedbacksonuserbehaviourcanbeeffectivehere.

II. WASTEMANAGEMENTSYSTEMUSERINTERFACE

Inmanybuildings,key infrastructuralelementsaremissingor insufficient. Bestpracticesareoftennotemployedindevelopingnewsystems,andoverlookedsystemmaintenanceiscommonduetoothermorepressingprioritiesandalackoffunding.Systemsshouldbedesignedtobeintuitiveanduser-friendly,complementedbyinformativeinstructionandregularprompts.

Keychallenges:1. Forresidentsin“survivalmode”wastesortingmaynotbefeasible,andhousingoperatorsmustmeetresidentswheretheyareat.2. InallMURBs,wastedisposalisanonymousandthussortingisoptional.3. Wastemanagementprogrameducationforresidentsmustbedeliveredstrategically.4. Residentsdonotmaintainlong-termcommitmenttosortingwaste.

Keychallenges:5. Wastesortingisnotconvenient.6. Accessmaybedifficultforresidentswithphysicalbarriers.


III. WASTESTREAMCONTAMINATION

Whenthereiscontaminationinwaste,buildingoperatorsenduppayingmoreforwasteservices.Haulerswill typicallychargecustomersdirectlyorabsorbthecostupfrontandrecoup it laterwhenservicepricing is renegotiated. Manybuildingstaff feel ill-prepared to implementnewwastestreams,withconcernsthattheywillnotbecosteffective.Hazardouswasteingarbage,especiallysyringes,canbeimprovedthroughbetterdisposalbinplacement,butbuildingsthatproducethiscontaminatedgarbageneedregulationrelaxationsandsupport.

IV. WASTESTORAGE

Numerousproblemsarisewhenwasteisstoredinoutdoorpublicareas,includingbininfiltration,messes,anddamage.Somebuildingshavenospaceforadequatewastestoragefacilities,eveninpublicareas.Insomealleys,substantialconcentrationsofdumpsterscancausemissedpickupsandinefficiencies.Newmodelsforwastestorage,includingfront-doorwasteremoval,sharedwastebins,undergroundbins,andshared in-vessel composting systemsmayhelp toaddressthese challenges for some buildings. Including social and environmental procurementpreferencesinwastehaulerRPFscanbringvalue-addedcommunitybenefits.

Keychallenges:10. Wastestorageinoutdoorpublicareascreatesissues.11. On-siteorganicsmanagementdependsonchampions.

Keychallenges:7. Somebuildingshavenoorganicsorrecyclingserviceatall.8. Hazardouswasteingarbagecreatesissuesatmultiplestages.9. Contaminationruinsthevalueoforganicsandrecycling.

Image:AtypicalalleywithmanydumpstersandbinsintheDowntownEastside.


V. BULKYWASTEMANAGEMENT&ILLEGALDUMPING

Disposingofbulkywasteaccordingtoregulations isoftenprohibitivelydifficultandcostly forresidentsandbuildingoperators. Prevalenceof illegaldumpinghas increased significantly inVancouver inrecentyears,andhasbecomeacommonplacewayofdealingwithbulkywaste.Non-markethousingsitesareaprimarytarget,substantiallyincreasingtheirwastemanagementcosts.NewbulkywastemanagementservicesofferedbytheCitycouldhaltthistrend.

VI. SUPPORTING&BUILDINGRELATIONSHIPSWITHBUILDINGSTAFF

Wastemanagementisoftennotapriorityforbuildingstaff,duetomorepressingissuesandlackofmotivation.This,compoundedbyhighstaffturnover,meansbuildingstaffneedmorededicatedsupportandtraining.ThereispotentialfornewextensionsofCitywastehaulingservicestomeetunmetneeds.

VII. HAULER-RELATEDISSUES

There aremixed reviews of haulers: some operators praise their hauler for extra supportiveservicesprovided,whileotherslambastetheirhaulerforunfairbindingcontracts,mischarges,andprovidinginaccuratedata.Haulersfacetheirownchallenges,includinghealthhazardsandinaccessibilityofbins.Thereisgoodpotentialtogrowsocial-purposehaulers,andimprovewastedatacollectionefforts.

Keychallenges:12. Law-abidingbulkywastemanagementcomeswithsignificantbarriers.13. Illegaldumpinghasbecomecommonplace.

Keychallenges:14. Buildingstaffneedmoretrainingandsupport.15. Buildingtrustandimprovingcityservices.

Keychallenges:16. Issueswithpick-ups.17. Addressingsenseofdistrustandfrustrationwithhaulers.


VIII. BUDGETLIMITATIONSFORBUILDINGOPERATORS

There is an inappropriate distribution of costs: buildings with high contamination rates,prevalence of hoarding, and illegal dumping tend also to be themost challenged to pay foradditionalwastehaulingcostsandfines.Manyhousingorganizationsthatoffermealprogramsareforcedtoacceptunwantedfooddonations,whichincreasestheiroperationalcosts,disposalcosts,andtheoverallvolumeoffoodwaste.

Keychallenges:18. Somenon-marketbuildingoperators faceadditional systemicandsituationalchallenges

thatputthematadisadvantagerelativetootherbuildings.19. Aninefficientpracticeof“fooddonations”putsmealprovidersinadifficultsituation.


42%

13%

45%GarbageRecyclingCompostablematerials

22%

20%58%

WASTEAUDITS

ThegarbagefromfourCity-servicedSROsandoneseniorshousingcomplextogetherwasaudited,andwasfoundtocontain78%contamination(materialthatcouldhavebeendivertedfromthegarbage).AsimilarauditwasconductedwithgarbagefromMetroVancouverHousingCorporationsiteslocatedintheCityofVancouver,whichcontained58%contamination.TherelativelyhighcontaminationratefromtheSROsandseniorshousingsuggestsalackofwastediversionprograms.Contaminationratesforbothgroupsindicatethereissignificantroomforimprovementindiversionprogramsacrossthenon-marketsector.

Compositionofauditedgarbagebymaterialtype:

RECOMMENDATIONS

ThefollowingarerecommendationsfortheCityofVancouver,howevermanyofthemrequirecollaborationwith external organizations for implementation. In order to reach zerowaste,many of these recommendations will have to be implemented at some point in the future.Recommendationsarerankedinorderoffeasibilitystartingwiththeeasiesttoimplementatthetop,howeveritisthemorechallengingpolicyandsystemschangesfurtheralonginthelistthatstandtohavethelargestimpactonwastediversion.

SHORTTERM(BY2020)

1. Update theCityofVancouverGarbageandRecycling StorageFacilityDesignGuidelines toincludeexamplesofwastemanagementbestpractices(seeChallenge5).

2. Revisewastebinvolumeallocationguides,forbothCityofVancouverandMetroVancouver(seeAssessingSectorWasteVolumessection).

FiveCity-servicedhousingsites

MetroVancouverHousingCorporationsites


3. EncouragesocialandenvironmentalprocurementpreferencestobeincorporatedinhaulerRFPs(seeChallenge17).

4. Encouragepublicsyringedisposalboxestobeemptiedandmaintainedmorefrequently(seeChallenge8).

5. Create a dedicated Zero Waste Community Engagement Team within the Solid WasteManagementDivisionsolelyfocusedonengagingbuildingstaffandresidents.

6. CreateaprogramthatproactivelyprovidesfreewastemanagementsystemconsultationtoMURBbuildingstaff,administeredbytheZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam.

7. CreateaprogramthatprovidesfreetrainingforMURBbuildingstaff,administeredbytheZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam(seeChallenge14).

8. Createinitiativesthatbuildmomentumaroundzerowasteideals,administeredbytheZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam.

9. CreateaRecyclingAmbassadorsprogramwithvolunteerresidents,administeredbytheZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam.

10. EncourageBCHousing to specifically fund bulkywaste diversion efforts for shelters (seeChallenge7).

11. Aggressivelytargetandreduceillegaldumping(seeChallenge13).

12. Initiateapilotofsharedwastebins,implementedbyathirdparty(seeChallenge10).

13. Implementapilotof communitypreferredserviceagreements fororganicsand recyclingcollectionfromnon-marketbuildingsandkitchenswithsmalloutputs(seeChallenges10&19).

14. ExpandtheselectionofwastehaulingservicesofferedbytheCity(seeChallenge15).

15. ImplementaCity-operatedbulkywastecollectionprogram(seeChallenge12).

16. Encourage Metro Vancouver to remove syringes from the banned materials list (seeChallenges8&18).

LONGTERM(BEYOND2020)

17. Encourage Metro Vancouver to require waste haulers to collect and disclose data (seeChallenge17).

18. Encourageallwastebagstobeclear(seeChallenges2&16).


19. Introduce requirements for new buildings and major redevelopments to follow wastemanagement best practices as part of the development permit application process (seeChallenge5).

20. To improve occupational health and safety standards for hauler workers, work towardsavoidingdirectcontactwithbaggedgarbagewaste.

21. EncourageMetroVancouvertostandardizerecyclingpracticesintheregion(seeChallenge3).

22. Collaborate with government partners to create a fund for waste managementinfrastructureandserviceimprovementsfornon-marketbuildings(seeChallenges5&7).

23. EncourageMetro Vancouver to implement policies that permit contamination surchargeexemptionsforspecificnon-marketbuildings(seeChallenge1).

24. Supporttheestablishmentofalow-costfoodterminal(seeChallenge19).

25. Openasmallscaleresident-onlytransferstationnearareasofhighpopulationdensity(seeChallenge12,andimagebelow).

Image:PlansforanewresidentialtransferstationintheurbanneighbourhoodofSydhavn,Copenhagen(photocredit:BjarkeIngelsGroup).


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ACRONYMS&DEFINITIONS

• BIA:BusinessImprovementAssociation-anareadesignatedbymunicipalcouncilinwhichbusinessescancollaboratetopromotetheirdistrict.

• CBSM:CommunityBasedSocialMarketing -abehaviourchangestrategythatpromotesinitiativesdeliveredatthecommunitylevelwithfocusonremovingbarrierstoanactivitywhilesimultaneouslyenhancingthebenefits.

• TheCity:referstotheCityofVancouver,unlessotherwiseindicated.• DTES:TheDowntownEastside-ahistoricneighbourhoodinVancouver,boundedbythe

neighbourhoodsofGastown,ChinatownandStrathcona.• EPR: Extended Producer Responsibility – a strategy that makes the manufacturer or

distributorofaproductresponsibleformanagingandpayingfor itstake-back,recyclinganddisposalattheendofitslifecycle.

• GCAP:GreenestCityActionPlan-astrategicpolicyoftheCityofVancouver.• Hauler:acompany,municipaldepartment,ornonprofitorganizationthatiscontractedto

removewastefromabuildingandtransportittoawastetransferstation.• MURB: Multi-Unit Residential Building - a residential building with five or more units,

commonlyreferredtoasan“apartmentbuilding”.• MVHC:MetroVancouverHousingCorporation-thepublichousingagencyoperatedbythe

regionalgovernmentofMetroVancouver.• Non-market:aresidentialbuildingwheretheunitsarenotsoldorrentedonthegeneral

realestatemarket,andhavecontrolsoneligibilityfortenancy.• Operator: a company or nonprofit organization that manages and coordinates the

operationsofaresidentialbuilding,sometimesoncontractwithapublichousingagency.• Organics: food scraps, yardwaste,andcompostablematerials that canbedecomposed

throughanindustrialcompostingprocess.• Publichousing:aresidentialbuildingthatisfundedprimarilybygovernmentagencies.• RFP:RequestforProposals-asolicitation,oftenmadethroughabiddingprocess,byan

agencyorcompanyinterestedinprocurementofacommodity,serviceorvaluableasset,topotentialsupplierstosubmitbusinessproposals.

• SHA: The SeattleHousingAuthority - the largest public housing agency in King County,Washington.

• SRO:SingleRoomAccommodationorSingleRoomOccupancyHotel-atypeof low-costresidentialbuildingwhereresidentshaveasimpleprivatebedroomwithaccesstosharedbathroomsandsometimesasharedkitchen.

• Wastediversion:divertingeligiblewastefromgarbageforreuse,recyclingorcomposting.• Waste streams: the available disposal programs for different types of waste, including

garbage,organics,cardboardrecycling,glassrecycling,mixedrecycling,etc.


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INTRODUCTION

PROJECTBACKGROUNDZerowasteisaphilosophy,ameanstoanendthatencouragesustostopandthinkabouthowandwhywasteisgenerated. Zerowasteisalsoasystemsgoal,toclosethelinearprocessofharvest-production-consumption-disposalsothatallwasteisreused.Thisgoaliseasilydefined,yetthepathtoreachitisaffectedbynumerousuncertaintiesincludinghumanbehaviourandpolitical trends. The goal of this report is to support the long term vision of zerowaste, byidentifying challenges, sharing strategies, and proposing interventions that recognize thecomplexityandprevailinginequitiesinpresentwastemanagementsystems.Partofdevelopinganequitablestrategyforzerowastemeansrecognizingthediversityofneedsandabilitiesofparticipantsinthesystem.Wherethetermequalitysuggeststhatallparticipantsshouldbetreatedequally,equitysuggeststhatsomeparticipantsexperiencesystemicimpactsthat negatively affect their ability to participate, and thus compensatorymeasures must beemployedinorderforthemtohaveanequalshotatparticipatinginthesystem.Inthetermsofthisproject,thismeansthatindividualswithbarriersneedmoresupportandconsiderationinorder to facilitate theireffectiveparticipation inzerowasteprograms. This isa foundationalprincipleonwhichthisreportisbased.ThegoalforMetroVancouverandits21municipalitiesshouldbe:toachievezerowastethroughtheimplementationandoperationofequitableandefficientwastemanagementprograms.Thismeansthatprogramsmustbeadaptedtomeettheneedsandabilitiesoftheirparticipants;to“meetpeoplewherethey’reat”.Theimpetusbehindthisreportrecognizesthatfewspecializedprogramsexistthataretailoredtotheneedsofmarginalizedparticipants.Understandingtheneedsandabilitiesofpeoplewhoarethemostchallengedtoparticipateinwastemanagementprogramsrequiresagreatdealofinsight,access,andstudy.Inconductingtheliteraturereviewandspeakingtoprofessionalswhograpplewiththesechallenges,itbecameevident that this focused fieldhas aprofound lackof research. What is presentedhere is acompilationoflearningsfromotherswhoworkinthefield.Mostoftheideassharedherearenot the author’s own, but rather a collection of the diverse perspectives shared throughinterviews with building managers, waste haulers, municipal and regional waste programplanners, non-market housing operators, environmental educators, waste system inspectors,wastemanagementconsultants,andbehaviourchangespecialists.Through this research, it has become evident that numerous cities, housing agencies andbuildingsarestrugglingwithsimilarissues.Somehavedevelopeduniquestrategies,whichmayinspirenewprogramsandsuccesselsewhere.Manyoftheissuesdiscussedherearenotuniquetonon-markethousingfacilities,butaffectotherMulti-UnitResidentialBuildings(MURBs)andhousingtypestoo.Withinnon-markethousingfacilitiesthereisawiderangeofcapacitiesand


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needs, and the issues discussed here represent the spectrum of challenges across differentbuildingtypes.Aneffectivewastemanagementplanrequiresthedeploymentofmanymulti-facetedstrategiesover time: from systems changes at the source, such as California’s ban on plastic bags, toparadigm-shiftingeducationaloutreachanduser-friendlysystemdesign.Ifdeployedintherightway,zerowastestrategiescandomorethaneliminategarbageandresultingpollution;theycanalsohavepositivesocietalexternalities,includingbuildingcommunitypartnerships,supportinginnovation,reducingoperationalcosts,andcreatingmoregreenjobs.1Guidingthisresearcharefouroverarchingquestions:

1. What are the prevailing challenges facing different types of non-market multi-unitresidentialbuildingsinimplementingzerowasteprograms?

2. Whataretheprevailingchallengesfacedbyspecificdemographicswithbarriersthatmayinhibittheirparticipationinzerowasteprograms?

3. Whatstrategiescanbeusedtoimprovezerowasteprogramgoalsinnon-marketmulti-unitresidentialbuildingsandfordemographicswithbarriers?

4. Howmuchwasteisgeneratedfromnon-marketMURBsinVancouver?

SCOPE

BUILDINGTYPESThis research examines waste management practices in non-marketMURBs. “Non-market”indicatesunits inbuildingsthatarenotpartofthewiderrentalhousingmarketbecausetheyhavepoliciesthatrestrict tenancy; this includesshelters,supportivehousingunits,andrentalapartmentsthatareownedbynonprofitorganizationsandgovernmentagenciesthatreserveunits for tenants who have disabilities, special needs, and/or incomes below a specifiedthreshold.ThisstudyalsoincludesSingleResidentOccupancyhotels(SROs),someofwhichareprivatelyownedandapartofthewiderrentalhousingmarket,butare includedbecausetheytypicallyhouseindividualswhoarereceivinggovernmentfundedshelterallowances.Itmaybeeasiertotermallofthesebuildingtypesas“low-income”,butsuchterminologyisdiscouragedduetoprevailingstigmatizationandambiguityof theterm. For thesakeof thisstudy,“non-market” is the terminology used, because it more accurately identifies the fact that thesebuildings arenot in the standard rentalmarket, but rather are in a categoryof housing thatreceivesspecializedsupportduetotheneedsofindividualswholivethere.

1CityofVancouver(2016):http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/vancouver-takes-next-step-to-becoming-a-zero-waste-community-by-2040.aspx

http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/vancouver-takes-next-step-to-becoming-a-zero-waste-community-by-2040.aspx




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Moreexpansivedefinitionsofthefourprimaryhousingcategoriesincludedinthisstudyareasfollows:

• Sheltersprovidetemporaryaccommodationsforhomelessindividualsandthoseat-riskofhomelessness.Somesheltersalsooffermealprograms.

• Single Resident Occupancy Hotels (SROs) provide short-term or long-termaccommodationinsinglerooms,typicallywithoutprivatebathroomsorkitchens2.Thesearetypicallythelowest-costaccommodationsavailableforrentintheCityofVancouver.SROscanbebothprivatelyandpubliclyowned.

• Supportivehousingcanincludemultipletypesofspecializedaccommodationfor:o Adultsatriskofhomelessnesso Womenfleeingviolenceo Seniorso Individualswithphysicaldisabilitieso Individualswithmentalhealthchallengeso Individualsinaddictionsrecoveryprograms

• Non-marketrentalhousingcanincludemultipletypesofaccommodation:o Subsidizedhousingwithrentgearedtoincome,forindividualsandfamilieswho

arelow-income,disabled,over55,orhaveAboriginalancestry.o MURBsownedbygovernments,nonprofitorganizationsandcooperatives,which

mayhaveamixofsubsidizedandunsubsidizedunits,andwhichhaverestrictionsfortenanteligibility.

Whilethesecategoriescapturethekeycharacteristicsofbuildingtypes,therearemanyothervariables thataffect thecapacityofbuildings toengage inwastemanagementprogramming,including:thenaturesofindividualtenants,theinclinationsofbuildingstaff,buildinglocation,funding mechanisms, association with a housing organization and the support mechanismsprovided, age and nature of the building structures, waste storage areas available, years ofoperation of the building, andmore. It can be helpful to think of non-market housing as acontinuum, where each area of the continuum requires different approaches to achievesuccessfulprogramimplementation. Thefigurebelowshowstherelativepositioningofsomeexamplesofhousingfacilitiesexaminedduringthisstudy;ingeneral,buildingsthatareorientedforlonger-termtenurestendtohavemoredevelopedzerowasteprograms.

2BCHousing(2016):SingleRoomOccupancyHotels

Figure:HousingContinuumfromtheCityofVancouverHousingandHomelessnessStrategy2012-2021.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Housing-and-Homeless-Strategy-2012-2021pdf.pdf

http://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Access/SRO


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Acomparisonofexamplesofhousingtypesbywasteprogramanddurationoftenure:

WASTESTREAMS Thisresearchexamineswastemanagementprogramsformultiplewastestreamsincluding:

• Organics: including food scraps, food soiled paper, yard waste, and compostablepackaging.

• Recycling:includingpaper&newsprint,cardboard,glass,metalandplasticcontainers.• Garbage• Bulkywaste: includingfurniture,mattresses,appliances,andother large itemsthatdo

notfitintypicalwastebinsorwhichrequirespecialrecycling.

METHODSTheresearchforthisreportincludedinputsfromseveralsourcesincluding:• Aliteraturereviewofrelevantresearchandpublishedarticlesfromthepast20years.• Reports, studies, policy documents, general literature and websites produced by

municipalities, regional governments, nonprofit agencies, waste haulers, previousstudentresearchers,buildingoperatorsandwastemanagementconsultants.

• Direct input from localmunicipalities andMetro Vancouver throughmeetings, phoneinterviewsandemails. Throughthesechannels,23municipalities inMetroVancouverwerecontacted,ofwhichfiveprovidedinputforthisresearch.

• ThreemunicipalitiesandhousingagenciesoutsideoftheVancouverregionprovidedinputthroughphone interviews, emails, and shared literature. They included: TheCitiesofTorontoandCopenhagen,aswellastheSeattleHousingAuthority.

Non-marketrental

Supportivehousing

SROs

Shelters

• Housingforwomen-leadfamilies

• MetroVancouverHousingCorporationsites

• Long-termprivateSROs

• Co-operativehousing

• Seniorshousing• Transitionhouses

Implem

entatio

nofze

ro

wasteprogram

s

Typicaldurationoftenure

• Supportivehousingforindividualswithmentalhealthchallenges

Non-marketrental

• Low-barrierhousingforrecentlyincarceratedindividuals


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• Directinputobtainedthroughin-personinterviewsandphoneinterviewswitheightCityof Vancouver staff, sixbuildingmanagers and operationsmanagers, two haulers, andthreethirdpartyconsultants.

• A waste audit conducted in collaboration with Metro Vancouver and TetraTechConsulting,accordingtowasteauditmethodologiesemployedbythosetwopartners.

• Note:buildingresidentswerenotdirectlyengagedinthisresearch.Thiswasduetothesensitivity and ethics requirements required for such research, and because sufficientstudiesalreadyexistthathaveengagedresidentsandadequatelyconveytheirneedsandperspective. The focus of this study is to gain insights from keydecisionmakers andpower-holders in waste management systems, so interviews with these stakeholderswereprioritized. However,futureresearchonthistopicshouldworkto includedirectinputfromthisessentialstakeholdergroup.

LIMITATIONSTheprimarylimitationsinconductingthisresearchwere:• Finding and communicating with professionals in other cities and housing agencies

outsideofmetroVancouver.Thiswasduetothenatureofcold-callingstaffduringthesummermonthswhenpeople areprone to takeholidays, and thedifficulty in findingrelevantcontacts.

• Getting truthful insights and the full picture from interviewees. As the author wasworkingfortheCityofVancouver,respondentsmayhavebeenhesitanttofullydisclosesomeof the issuesorpractices takingplace in thebuildings theyareassociatedwith,becausetheseactionsarenotincompliancewithregulations.

• Findingacademicliteratureandarticlesonthetopicthathavebeenpublishedinthepast20years.Therehasbeensurprisinglylittleacademicresearchdoneinrecentdecadesonstrategies for improved waste management, especially with a focus on non-markethousing. Numerous studies exist that examinewastemanagement in the developingworld,andmeasuretheefficacyofrecyclinginitiativesinhousinginthe1990s,butfewrelevantrecentstudiescouldbefound.

• The metro Vancouver-centric focus of the research, which makes the findings lessapplicabletootherregions.ThedeliverablesofthisreportarefortheCityofVancouver,andthusthefocusisnaturallyVancouver-centric.


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CONTEXT

POLICYDIRECTIVESFROMTHECITYOFVANCOUVERThisresearchendeavourstosupportprogressivedirectivesdevelopedbytheCityofVancouverthatactivelyshapethetrajectoryofsolidwastemanagementprogramsinthecity.Thefollowingarethetwomostrelevantpolicydirectives.GREENESTCITYACTIONPLANThe Greenest City Action Plan (GCAP) seeks to “reduce solid waste going to the landfill orincineratorby50%from2008levelsby2020”.Thepriorityactionsfor2015-2020are:

• Action4.1:increaseoveralldiversionoforganicsbycontinuingtosupporttheexpansionoffoodscrapsrecyclingtoallsectorsandsupportMetroVancouver’s2015disposalbanoforganicmaterialstolandfillandincineratorthrougheducationandenforcement.

• Action4.4:supportMetroVancouver’sZeroWasteChallengethroughthedevelopmentofeducationandenforcementstrategiesforallsectors,withafocusonwastepreventionandmaterialreuse.

ZEROWASTE2040InrecognizingthatcurrentGCAPtargetsonlyextendto2020,onJune1st2016,VancouverCityCouncilapprovedamotionregardingthedevelopmentofaZeroWasteStrategy,referredtoasZeroWaste2040,thatemphasizesthelongtermgoalof100%materialrecovery,orzerowaste.Thezerowaste2040strategyiscurrentlyindevelopment.RATIONALEFORTHISSTUDY

EXISTINGZEROWASTEPROGRAMSSince2010,Vancouverhasreducedtheamountofsolidwastesenttolandfillorincineratorby23%,almosthalfwaytothe2020goal.3Thishasbeenachievedthroughanexpansionofzerowasteprograms,includinganexpansionofacceptedmaterialsincurbsiderecyclingandtheroll-outoforganicspickupservices. Asof spring2016,all sites in theCityofVancouverarenowrequiredbyby-lawtohaveorganicsandrecyclingdisposalprograms.Thischangecomplementsexisting regionaldirectives fromMetroVancouver thatbanorganicsand recyclablematerialsfromthegarbagestream.

3CityofVancouver(2016):http://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/vancouver-takes-next-step-to-becoming-a-zero-waste-community-by-2040.aspx




http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/greenest-city-action-plan.aspx

http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/zero-waste.aspx


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Attheregions’transferstations,contaminationsurchargesforgarbagearesetat50%ofthetotalweight-based tipping fee, and $50 per item for Banned Hazardous and Operational ImpactMaterials(hazardouswastes)andBannedProductStewardshipMaterials(refundablebeveragecontainers).IntheCityofVancouver,inspectorscanlevyfinesfornotfollowingrequiredwastemanagementprocedures,includinginfractionssuchas:

• Residential: garbage cart cannot close, cart overflow, no recycling program, non-compliant recyclingplan, noorganicsplan, non-organics in green cart, andprohibitedmaterialsingarbage.

• Commercial:containerleak,containerinpoorcondition,failuretokeepcontainerclean,failuretodisplayaddress,failuretoprovideasecurelock,collectionvehicleleaking.

• Other:unlicensedcontaineronthestreet,puttinggarbageinapublicreceptacle,failuretoobeyapreviousorder.

Presently,finesarerarelyleviedagainstsiteoperatorsbecauseofthelengthyprocessinvolvedin issuing tickets, and because the City is taking a gentler approach by issuingwarnings andproviding support insteadof applying penalties for noncompliance. However, thismay soonchange.Newbylawsintroducedin2016willallowstreetuseinspectorstoissuesticketsswiftlyusing theMunicipal Ticketing Information system (MTI). Inspectors are being trained in thisprocessnow,andthesystemisexpectedtobeactiveinthefallof2016.Theextenttowhichnewfineswillbeappliedunderthissystem,however,isstillyettobedecided.

LOOKINGATNON-MARKETBUILDINGSThe City of Vancouver has over 5000MURBs, of which 13% (634 buildings) are non-marketMURBs.Manyofthesenon-marketMURBshavelargenumbersofunitsandhighdensities,sotheproportionofunitsintheCitythatareinnon-marketMURBsislikelyhigherthan13%.Asthecitycontinuestogrowinpopulation,MURBswillincreaseasashareofhousingstock,andthusstrategiestoimprovewastemanagementprogramsinMURBsareessential.Non-market

Figure:progressinVancouvertowardsthezerowastegoal(source:Cityzerowastewebsite).

http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/zero-waste.aspx


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housing sectors are not exempted from disposal bans, andmany buildings are struggling toimplementzerowasteprogramstocomplywithregulations.Developingasetofrecommendedapproacheswill enable theCity to reachoutandassist thesebuildingswith their zerowasteneeds.Improving waste management programs in non-market housing not only decreases garbagevolumesandhelpsmeetregionaldirectives,butalsohasamyriadofotherbenefitsincluding4:

• Creatingsavingsinlongtermbuildingutilitycosts• Creatinghealthycommunitiesbyprovidinghighqualityandsecurelivingenvironments• Strengtheningcommunitiesbyengagingtenantsinenvironmentalinitiatives• Leading the way for sustainability initiatives in the social housing and residential

developmentcommunity• Reducingindividuals’environmentalfootprints

BACKGROUNDONTHEISSUE

UNDERSTANDINGBARRIERSAllpeoplehavepersonalbarrierstovaryingextents.However,residentsinnon-markethousingtendtohavemorenumerousandmorechallengingbarriersthanresidentsinmarkethousing.Thisisbecauseindividualswithsignificantbarriersaremorelikelytofacepersonalhardship,havelow- or no-income, and experience unpredictable life circumstances which makes securingtenancyinmarketrentalhousingmoredifficult.Thepurposeofnon-markethousing,intheory,istoprovidespecializedresidentialfacilitiesandsupportsthatmeettheneedsofindividualswithbarriers, so they have homes where they can thrive. Some housing providers and buildingsspecialize in supporting residents with specific types of barriers; common barrier typesencounteredinthisstudyinclude:

• Mentalhealthchallenges,includingdepressionandanxiety• Substanceaddiction• Physicaldisabilities• Previousincarceration• Oldage,dementia,andlimitedmobility• LimitedabilitytocomprehendEnglishlanguage• Limitedknowledgeoflocalculturalnorms• Havingyoungchildren• Dependenceonexternalorganizationsforsustenanceandincome,overwhichindividuals

havenocontrol• Stigmaandprejudiceduetoanindividual’sgender,race,occupation,culture,language,

sexualorientation,physicalability,personalhabits,appearanceandsocialstatus• Loneliness,andalackofpersonalconnectionsandsupportnetworks

4BCHousing(2015):TenantEngagementonSustainabilityGuide.


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Developingbarriersisnotachoice;theyareoftenaproductofsystemicinjusticeandinequality,inasocietalsystemthatperpetuatesmarginalizationandviolenceagainstthosewholivewithbarriersandinpoverty.ManyofthesebarriershavedevelopedpowerfulstigmasinVancouversociety. These barriers put individuals at a disadvantage in reaching their potential andparticipating inallaspectsofsociety, includingintheirresponsibilitiesastenantstosorttheirwaste. Developing an understanding of the implications of specific barriers on individuals’behaviourandneedsisessentialinordertodevelopprogramsthatcansupporttheseindividualseffectively. Up to this point, no comprehensive waste management strategies have beendevelopedbytheCityofVancouvertoworkwiththespecificneedsofindividualswithbarriersandthenon-marketbuildingstheylivein.

PREVAILINGPARADIGMSANDBEHAVIOURCHANGEWastemanagement isonesystemwithina largersocietalsystemthat isshapedbyprevailingparadigms. There are numerous key paradigms that strongly influence the way wastemanagementsystemshaveevolved,especiallyinthenon-markethousingsector,forexample:

• Peoplewhodonotsorttheirwastearelazyandincompetent.• Poorpeopledon’tcareabouttheenvironment.• Peoplewhoillegallydumpbulkywasteareimmoral.

These paradigms antagonize and assign fault to the individual. Assumptions aremade thatindividualslivinginsomenon-markethousingdonotcareaboutmanagingtheirwaste.However,these people are just doing their best given their limited resources, personal barriers, lifepressures,andthesystemtheyhavetoworkwithin.Rather,weshouldask:whatisitaboutthecontextoftheirlivingsituation,theirpersonalbarriers,andthesystemstheyoperateinthatshapetheirbehaviour?Individualswith barriers are just as passionate and capable as anyone else. However, theseindividualsaremoreoftennegativelyaffectedanddrainedbythesystem,whichcansaptheirenergyforextrawastemanagementefforts.Thisrealityextendstoallpeople:cognitiveenergyisaresource,whichislimited,andthusspentselectively.Forthisreason,anywastemanagementsystemmustbedesignedtobecognitivelylightweightsothatdesiredbehaviourisaseffortlessasflickingalightswitch.Here,weshiftthefocusofblameformalfunctionsfromtheusertothesystem:“ifthere’saproblem,it’sbecauseyoursystemiswrong”5.

5QuotefrominterviewwithRubenAnderson.

“Thestartingassumptioninbehavioralpsychologyshouldbethat:consciousnessdoesn’tplayaroleinhumanbehaviour.”

-Dr.RobertProvine,ProfessorofPsychology,UniversityofMarylandinBaltimore


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Idealsystemsarethosethataresocognitivelylightweightthattheyareintuitive:theusercanproperly use the system without priorinstruction. These are called compassionatesystems, because they work with and notagainst the existing behaviours of users. Intheory, by studying users well enough, theytellyouhowthesystemshouldbedesigned.Whilethismayseemadauntingchallenge, itexplains why so many awareness-basedbehavior change campaigns have provenfutile; in many instances it is actually theinfrastructure or system design that is theprimary issue, which is more difficult toaddress,butdoingsomayprovesignificantlymoreeffectiveinincreasingwastediversion.Supportingresidentstoachievehousingwithdignityisacoreobjectiveofnon-markethousing,andwastemanagementprogramsmustbecustomizedtocreatedignifiedlivingenvironments.

“Itshouldbeeasytodotherightthing.Wastedisposalandseparationshouldbeaccessibleregardlessoftypeofhousingorparticularneeds.Householdsshouldhavegoodfacilitiesfordepositingbulkywasteavailabletothem.Bulkywasteroomsinapartmentblockshelpresidentstodepositbulkywasteeasilyeveniftheydonothaveacar.”

-CityofStockholmWastePlan,2013-2016

Figure:“99.99%ofourbehaviourisshapedbyourcontext,andthesystemsinplacethere”-RubenAnderson.

http://www.stockholmvatten.se/globalassets/pdf1/riktlinjer/avfall/avfallsplan/avfallsplanen_eng_webb.pdf


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KEYFINDINGSBelow, thekey findingsof this study identify theprevailingchallenges towastemanagementprogramsinnon-markethousing.Findingsareorganizedaccordingtochallengetype,includinga discussion of each challenge with cases and stakeholder inputs, and suggestedrecommendationsspecifictoVancouver.The19challengeareasaresortedintoeightthematicgroupings,asfollows:I.Residentengagement&motivationsforwastesorting 1.Forresidentsin“survivalmode”wastesortingmaynotbefeasible,andoperatorsmust

meetresidentswheretheyareat. 2.InallMURBs,wastedisposalisanonymousandthussortingisoptional. 3.Wastemanagementprogrameducationforresidentsmustbedeliveredstrategically. 4.Residentsdonotmaintainlong-termcommitmenttosortingwaste.II.Wastemanagementsystemuserinterface 5.Wastesortingisnotconvenient. 6.Accessmaybedifficultforresidentswithphysicalbarriers.III.Wastestreamcontamination 7.Somebuildingshavenoorganicsorrecyclingserviceatall. 8.Hazardouswasteingarbagecreatesissuesatmultiplestages. 9.Contaminationruinsthevalueoforganicsandrecycling.IV.Wastestorage 10.Wastestorageinoutdoorpublicareascreatesissues. 11.On-siteorganicsmanagementdependsonchampions.V.Bulkywastemanagement&illegaldumping 12.Law-abidingbulkywastemanagementcomeswithsignificantbarriers. 13.Illegaldumpinghasbecomecommonplace.VI.Supporting&buildingrelationshipswithbuildingstaff 14.Buildingstaffneedmoretrainingandsupport. 15.BuildingtrustandimprovingcityservicesVII.Hauler-relatedissues 16.Issueswithpick-ups. 17.Addressingsenseofdistrustandfrustrationwithhaulers.VIII.Budgetlimitationsforbuildingoperators 18.Somenon-marketbuildingoperatorsfaceadditionalsystemicandsituationalchallenges

thatputthematadisadvantagerelativetootherbuildings. 19.Aninefficientpracticeof“fooddonations”putsmealprovidersinadifficultsituation.I.RESIDENTENGAGEMENTANDMOTIVATIONSFORWASTESORTINGWhen designing resident engagement programs, material must be delivered in a way thatmatches the nature of the participants, and that takes into consideration the internal social


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dynamics and networks of the participants themselves. 6 Resident engagement programstypicallyhavetwogoals:

1. Buildingbuy-inbydemonstratingtoparticipantswhyitisimportantthattheyparticipateinwastemanagementprograms. This includes showingparticipantswhere theirwastegoesaftertheythrowitaway,andhighlightingenvironmentalissues.

2. Instructingparticipantsonhowtocorrectlyusetheirwastemanagementsystem,includinghowtosort,thelocationsofbins,commonmistakes,etc.Whilesomeinstructionisalwaysnecessary to introduceparticipants to anewprogram, awell-designed system requiresminimalinstructionandshouldbeself-explanatory.

Successdependsonparticipantsfeelingthatthesystemtheyarebeingaskedtoparticipateinhas been designed with their needs and preferences in mind. A system that antagonizesparticipants and makes them feel resentful will not get far. This is why an equitable andcompassionate systems approach is important, so that waste management programs aredesignedbasedonthenaturesofusers.Itisalsoessentialtohavepositivebehavioralrolemodelsineverysocialnetwork(orbuilding).It starts with the building staff, and extends to early adopters. It can also include groupinfluencers:thepeoplewhoarewell-connectedinthebuildingandinfluencethebehaviourofothers.Gettingthesegroupsofpeopleonboardcanmakeorbreakanewsystem.1.FORRESIDENTSIN“SURVIVALMODE”WASTESORTINGMAYNOTBEFEASIBLE,ANDOPERATORSMUSTMEETRESIDENTSWHERETHEYAREAT.

Discussion:Forindividualswithsignificantbarrierswhoareina“survival-basedlifestyle”,adheringtowastemanagementguidelinesistheleastoftheirconcerns.Justgettingtenantstoremovewastefromtheir rooms, and in extreme cases to stop tossing waste out of their windows, are primary6AlexPentland’sresearchteamatMITstudiesthesubtle,subconsciouscommunicationbetweenpeople,andhowthisinfluencestheirbehaviouranddecisionmaking.Thisfieldofnetworkscience“triestounderstandpeopleinthecontextoftheirsocialnetworksratherthanviewingthemasisolatedindividuals”.IntheirbookHonestSignals(2008),theydiscussthepowerofdirecthumaninteraction,andexplainthatanyattempttoinfluencethebehavioursanddecisionmakingofagroupmustconsiderthesocialdynamicsofthatgroup,thekeyinfluencers,andsubconsciouscommunicationhabits.

Challenges:

Wastemanagementisnotapriorityforresidents,especiallywhenin“survivalmode”.Someresidentsarechallengedtoremovewastefromtheirrooms,letalonesorttheirwaste.Ineverybuildingthereisaspectrumofbarriersandcapacitiesofresidents.


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concernsforbuildingstaff.Forthisreason,manybuildingsthathouseindividualswithsignificantbarriershaveonlysinglestreamwasteservice.Therewillalwaysbesomepeoplewhowillnotchange,orwhochangeveryslowly,duetopersonalbarriers.Theneedsandrealitiesoftheseindividualsmustberespectedandaccommodated,andeffortsmadetomeetpeoplewheretheyareat. Thismeansalteringregulationsandprovidingspecializedsupportstobuildingswheretheseindividualslive,sothatbuildingstaffcanbettersupporttheirresidents.

Ineverybuildingthere isaspectrumoftenantswithvaryingbarriersandcapacities,manyofwhomdowanttoparticipateinwastesorting.Effortsshouldfocusonthesepeopleandthevastmiddle ground of people who are open-minded to adopting new habits. Building goodrelationshipsbetweenresidentsandbuildingstaffisthemostessentialcomponentofcreatingenvironmentswhereresidentsfeelsupportedtoengageandchangetheirhabits.Thismeansnotputtingstaffinasituationwheretheyhavetopoliceresidents’wastemanagementhabits.Inmanycases,buildingstaffcannotusefinesorthreatstochangetenantbehaviour,duetolow-barrierandhousingfirstpolicieswhichprotecttenanciesandprohibitevictionexceptincasesofviolence.Ahighturnoveroftenantsmeansonetenantmaymovethroughmultiplebuildingsatdifferenttimes.Thisisacommonfeatureofmanynon-marketbuildings,andaddsanadditionallayerofcomplexity inestablishingeffectivewastemanagementprograms,aseachbuildingmayhavedifferent programs in place. Encouraging system standardization across the region is animportantstep,whichisdiscussedfurtherunderChallenge3.

“Somepeopledowanttomakechangesintheirlives,oncethey’reoutofsurvivormode.Wemeetpeoplewherethey’reat.”

-GeorgeSimpson,RainCityHousing

Recommendations:

• EncourageMetroVancouvertocreateallowancesindisposalbanregulationsfornon-marketbuildingsthathouseindividualswithsignificantbarriers.BuildingoperatorscouldapplydirectlytoMetroVancouverforexemption,withspecialbagstickersorprintedbagsissuedbyMetroVancouverdirectlytotheapprovedbuildingsforusetoidentifytheirwasteinthestream.Thiswouldallowhaulerstoreduceservicecostsforthesebuildingsbecauseofreducedcontaminationsurcharges.


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2.INALLMURBS,WASTEDISPOSALISANONYMOUSANDTHUSSORTINGISOPTIONAL.

Discussion:Forresidentsindetachedhouseswithindividualwastebins,improperwastemanagementresultsindirectfeedbackintheformofamissedpickupandinformationaltagattachedtothebin.InMURBs this is not so due to the use of shared waste receptacles. Providing feedback oncontaminationandwastevolumesisimportantinordertoencouragebehaviourchanges.Feedbackloopsareneeded,sothatresidentscanseetheimpactsoftheiractionsandfeeltheyareworkingtowardsarecognizablegoal.Thereareseveralwaysthiscanbeachieved:

• Building Managers can request detailed waste volume information from their haulerand/orwastelevelscanbetrackedinternally.

• BuildingManagerscandisplaythisinformationpublicly,suchasonaboardinthewasteroomor lobbydisplaying“contamination incidents thismonth in thisbin”or“garbagevolumesthismonthcomparedtothelastfourmonths”,etc.

• Whenthere iscontaminationorproblemsinthetrashroom,takeapicture. Sendoutmonthlylettersoremailstotenantsexplainingtheissueinaconstructiveway,andposttheimagewithremindersinthewasteroom.

• Provideanincentivechallengetobuildingresidents,forexample:“ourbuildingissavingup for a foosball table by reducing ourwaste charges. Please do your part to avoidcontaminationwhenyouthrowoutyourwaste,andsavingsfromreducedwastecostswillgotowardsthisnewamenityforthewholebuilding.”

• Makeitknowninthewasteroomhowmuchthebuildingischargedfordifferenttypesofcontamination,andeverytimethebuildingischargedbythehaulerforcontamination,makeitknown:“extrachargeslastmonthduetocontamination:$_.__”.

CASE:TheBCCooperativeHousingFederationprovideswastemanagementsupporttoco-ops,includingpresentationsonhowtoimproveprograms,andcoordinatinggrouphaulercontacts.Allco-opshaveaninternalrecyclingcommittee,andCBSMisusedeffectivelywitheducationalcampaigns among residents. Co-opmembers see direct financial benefits ofmanaging theirwasteeffectivelybecausewastediversionandreducedcontaminationresultsinlowermonthly

Challenges:Residentsdisposeofwasteanonymously,thereisnofeedbackorrepercussionsfortheiractions,anditisdifficulttoidentifywhoiscausingcontamination.

Residentsarenotfinanciallymotivatedtosortwaste,itismucheasiertojustthrowitallinthegarbage.


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fees.Thereisastrongincentivetocorrectlysortwaste,andextensiveresourceswithineachco-optosupportresidentsindoingso.CASE: In Copenhagen, all waste streams are only accepted in clear bags to discouragecontamination.

Recommendations:

• Intrainingswithbuildingstaff,encouragethemtoimplementresidentfeedbackloops(seeabovelist).

• Requireallwastebagstobeclear,forsubtleanti-contaminationpressure.• Createacity-orregion-widecompetitionforbuildingstoreducetheirgarbage

volumesandcontaminationlevels,basedondataprovidedbyhaulers.See“TheMayor’sToweringChallenge”intheCityofToronto,asanexample.

Image:Eye-catchingpromotionalimageryusedbytheCityofCopenhagen.

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=077ccab127a55510VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=077ccab127a55510VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD


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3.WASTEMANAGEMENTPROGRAMEDUCATIONFORRESIDENTSMUSTBEDELIVEREDSTRATEGICALLY.

Discussion:StartingoffrightSettingcommunityexpectationsandpositivebehavioursrightfromthestart,whenresidentsfirstmove in is essential. Residents should be given an orientation to the building’s wastemanagementsystems,alongwithapackageofmaterialsthatclearlyexplainthesystemintheirownlanguage,sothatexpectationsareclearlysetandanyquestionscanbeanswered.CASE:AttheBudzey,asupportivehousingfacilityoperatedbyRainCityHousing,residentssignaprogramagreementwhentheymovein,whichisasoftdocumentthatsetsgroundrulesonhowtobeagoodneighbour.Here, residentsagreeto“putyourgarbage in thebinsasprovided -pleasedonotthrowanythingfromyourwindows.Recycleyourcontainersandpaperproducts.Greenwastemustbeseparatedfromyourregulargarbage.Binsandreceptaclesareprovidedinthe garbage room in thebasement. If you need acontainer for your green wastepleaseaskstaff.”StandardizationandvisualsThe visual language of thesystem must be intuitive andcomplete, using standardizedcolours,icons,andsignageinalllanguagesspokenbyresidents.

Challenges:Thereishightenantturnover,andnewresidentsarenotgivennecessaryinformationandmaterialstomakenewsortingsystemseasyforthemrightatthebeginning.Thereisalackofregion-wideconsistencyinwastemanagementsystems,soeachMURBhasdifferentwastemanagementprocedures,whichresidentsareexpectedtore-learnwhentheymove,includingforbulkywaste.

Residentswithbarriersdon’tshowuptoevents.

Image:TheBudzey,asupportivehousingfacilityoperatedbyRainCityHousing.


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CASE:MetroVancouverHousingCorporation(MVHC)recentlychangedtothreestreamweeklypickupserviceprovidedbyasinglehauleracrossalloftheirproperties.ThisstandardizationofservicehelpseasethetransitionfortenantswhomovebetweenMVHCproperties.UniqueapproachesfordifferentdemographicsNumerousstudies, includingthoseconductedbybothCityofVancouverstaff7andEmilyCarrstudents8,allconfirmthe importanceof face-to-facecontactwiththecommunityand liaisingthroughbuildingchampionsasthemosteffectivemethodsfordelivering information. Wastemanagementprogramsarehighlyinfluencedbyacculturation,andunderstandinghowdifferentculturalgroupsviewwastecanbekeytoengagingresidentseffectively.Itisalsoimportanttoidentifywho are the groupswhodonot showup toevents and meetings, and how they prefer to bereached. In cases where there are residents withmental health challenges, workshop leaders shouldhavesensitivitytrainingtoappropriatelyengagewiththese groups. BC Housing has developed a toolkitwhichincludesguidesforresidentengagement.

7CityofVancouver(2009):WestEndIllegalDumpingProject.8CompostCollective(2012):FinalReport.

Image:StandardizediconsandcolourssetbyMetroVancouver.

“Insomecountries,thereisatraditionofcaringforareasaroundandbetweendwellings,whilst,inothers,thisisnotthecase.Suchgeneralattitudesaffectthewillingnesstoparticipatelocally.”

-Report:UNHabitat(1989):CommunityParticipation-SolidWasteManagementin

Low-IncomeHousingProjects.

Image:AMVHCflyerinChineseexplaininghowtousetheneworganicsrecyclingprogram.

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/recycling-signage-campaigns/recycling-signage-colours/Pages/default.aspx

http://citystudiovancouver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Compost-Collective-Final-Report.pdf


http://www.bchousing.org/resources/Partner_Resources/Ongoing_Maintenance/Waste_Diversion_Guide.pdf

http://www.chs.ubc.ca/archives/files/community%20participation%20in%20solid%20waste%20management%20in%20low%20income%20housing%20projects.pdf


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CASE: At the Seattle Housing Authority, resident education initiatives inMURBs start with acommunitymeetingwithfood,aninteractivegame,andlanguageinterpretersforalllanguagesneededinthatbuilding.FlyersaregivenoutinEnglishandlanguagesspokenbyresidents.Theturnoutvaries,aseachbuilding isquitedifferent,anddependsonthesocialdynamic ineachbuildingassomepeopledon’tfeelwelcomeincommunitymeetings.

Recommendations:

• Trainingsforresidentsmustbeofferedcontinuously,especiallyinbuildingswithhightenantturnover.Thisisalreadyrequiredunderthecurrentsolidwastebylaw,wherebuildingsarerequiredtoprovideeducationtonewtenantsaboutrecyclingandorganicsdiversion,andmustremindtenantsannuallyaboutwastemanagementsystemsinthebuilding(clauses5.15and6.7A.4inthebylaw).Remindbuildingstaffofthis,andprovidesupportthroughnew“accountmanagers”.

• Encouragebuildingstohaveacomprehensiverecyclingeducationprocessfornewresidents.Includeguidelinesforrecyclinginthetenantprogramagreement.Provideanoptionalkitforallnewtenantsthatisofferedbythebuildingmanagerwhentheymovein,whichincludescomprehensivestandardizedinstructionsinmultiplelanguagesonhowtousethewastesystemcorrectly,aswellasin-unitwastesortingcontainers.

• EncourageMURBstoprovidewaste-relatedfeedbackinformationtoinformresidentsoftheprogressoftheirdiversionefforts,andrelatedenvironmentalimpacts.Suchinformationcouldbeprovidedattheentrancetocommonwasterooms.Waste-relatedfeedbackinformationcouldalsobeprovidedwhereotherbuildingnewsiscommunicated,suchasinlobbiesandelevators.

• Extensivesignage(includinghand-outs,postersandbinstickers)shouldbeprovidedforfreetobuildingstoencouragepeopletocorrectlyseparateorganicsandrecycling.ThisisalreadyavailablefromtheCitywhenrequested,butAccountManagerscouldproactivelyhandoutthismaterialwhereneeded.

• EncourageMetroVancouvertocontinuetoengageandcollaboratewithmunicipalitiestostandardizerecyclingpracticesacrosstheregion.


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4.RESIDENTSDONOTMAINTAINLONG-TERMCOMMITEMENTTOSORTINGWASTE

Discussion:EmpoweringindividualswithbarriersThecreationofprogramsthatperpetuatepeer-to-peerrolemodelingcanbehighlyeffectiveinengrainingpositivewastesortingbehaviors. Low incomebuildingsarenotexemptfromthis:everyonehasrolemodelsandrelationshipswiththeirneighbours.Inmanynon-marketbuildingsthereisawidespectrumofdifferentpeoplelivinginonebuilding,withverydifferentlevelsofpersonalagencyandbarriertypes.Byempowerresidentsandgivingthemtheopportunitytobechampions in their buildings, people who are more inclined to participate in waste sortingprogramsmaybecomerolemodelsforothers.CASE: In most buildings run by the nonprofit operator Community Builders, tenants areempowered to fulfill much of the buildings’ internal needs, including janitorial and waste

Image:Ineffectiveinformationalsignagebesideagarbagebininasupportivehousingfacilityforresidentswithmultiplebarriers.

Challenges:Residentsdonotfeelasenseofownershipoverwastemanagementinitiatives.Afteraperiodofcommunityengagement,contaminationlevelsgobackup.

Asenseofdutytowardswastesortingbehavioursisnotculturallyingrained.


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managementservices,usingthis“bottomup”approachtoengagetenantsandbuildasenseofresponsibilityfortheirlivingenvironments.AmbassadorprogramsTherearenumerousexamplesofprogramsthatgiveresidentstheopportunitytoberolemodelsfor theirneighbours. Theseprogramsempower residents,buildneighbour relationships,anddelivereducationalmaterialsinformatsappropriatefortheresidents’demographic.Theyalsobuildmomentum to helpwaste diversion programming continue beyond the end of specificresidenteducationalinitiatives.CASE:AttheSeattleHousingAuthority(SHA),beforerollingoutanewprogramtoall,focusisgiventobuildingparticipationandreducingcontaminationinasmall,willinggroupsfirst,whobecomerolemodelswhenprogramsarefullyrolledout.CASE: The City of Toronto’s 3Rs Ambassadors program offers free six-hour training and freematerials in17 languages foranyone interested inbecominganambassador for theirMURB.Trainingsareofferedmonthly,wheretypically10-15volunteersattend,andtheprogramnowincludesover300volunteerAmbassadors.ThelongtermgoalisforeveryMURBintheCityofTorontotohaveatleastoneAmbassador.CASE:Thereare28MVHCsiteswithtenantassociations(outofatotal49sites)whoareinvitedto an annual tenant association conference. Tenants make pitches to their fellow residentrepresentatives for$30,000worthof grants for recyclingprojects at theirbuildings, andalsocelebrateresidentrecyclingchampions.

Images:TheVancouverSouthTransferStationandtheVancouverLandfill.Informingresidentsofwheretheirwasteendsupisanimportantpartofbuildingawarenessaroundtheimportanceofzerowaste.


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II.WASTEMANAGEMENTSYSTEMUSERINTERFACE5.WASTESORTINGISNOTCONVENIENT.

Discussion:Aneffectivewastemanagementsystemrequiresconveniencewhensortingwaste in-unitandwhen depositing waste in common receptacles. The user interface of the system must beintuitiveanduser-friendly.Insomebuildingsvisitedforthisstudy,organicsandrecyclingbinsweremissingcompletely,andmanybinshadnosignageatall.

Recommendations:

• Recruitandtrainvolunteerstojoinanofficialcitizen-poweredmovementsupportingzerowasteprograms.ThisprogramcouldbebrandedasanextensionoftheKeepVancouverSpectacularprogram.Suchaprogramcouldinclude:

o FreetrainingworkshopsforMURBresidents.o AllocatefundingtoprovidesmallgrantstoRecyclingAmbassadorteams,

whichcanbedeliveredthroughtheexistingGreenestCityNeighbourhoodSmallGrantsprogram.Thesegrantscancovercostssuchasprinting,translation,workshoporganization,etc.

o ProvidesupportivematerialstovolunteerstorunresidentengagementprogrammingintheirownMURBs.

Challenges:Residentsdonothavebinsintheirunitstosorttheirwasteinto;sometimesbinsaresuppliedwhenbuildingsareopenedbutthennoreplacementsareprovided.Garbagereceptaclesaremucheasiertoaccessthanorganicsandrecyclingreceptacles.Wasteroomsarenotuserfriendly,andhavemissingelementsincludingbins,signage,andlanguages.

Manyresidentsreportneverreceivinginformationonorganicsorrecyclingprograms.


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TheCityformerlyprovidedfreebluetotebagswithrecyclinginstructions for MURBs. Sometimes these materials areprovided by building funders when a building opens, butreplacement supplies are not provided. Residents withbarriersareoftenunabletoprovidetheirownbins;purchasingfour-litericecreampails,forexample,isunlikelyduetolackoffunds,freezerspace,andhealthissues.CASE: In Toronto, in-unit blue recycling bags and kitchencatchers for organics have been available for free for allresidents since 2009. Toronto Community Housing (TCH)Superintendentscanrequestupto10%replacementofbinsandbagsperyear,whichtheystockon-site.InnewTCHsiteredevelopments, specific space in each kitchen has beencreatedformulti-binwastesorting.

Creating a pleasant andintuitiveexperience inwasteroomsisalso important. Inthepilot study currently in progress at TCH, user interfaceimprovements at each site included improved signage withwastediversion-specificbulletinboards,betterstickersforin-unitbinsand largemetal-backedposters forcommonwastereceptacles.TwonewlybuiltTCHbuildingshaveincorporateda3-streamwastechutesystemsoneachfloortomakewastedisposalmoreconvenientforresidents.CASE: In Toronto, new mid- and high-density residentialbuildingsarerequiredtofollowTorontoGreenStandardTier1guidelines,

whichinclude:requirementsfor 3-streamsorting that isas convenient

as garbage disposal, waste room accessibilitystandards,andaminimum10m2storageareaforbulkywasteandadditionaldiversionprograms.VoluntaryTier2guidelinessuggestprovisionofseparatedcabinetspaceinallkitchensuitesfor3-stream segregated collection, as well as adedicatedcollectionareaorroomforhouseholdhazardous waste and/or electronic waste.BuildingsthatimplementTier2suggestionscanqualify for reduced development fees. Several

Image:Toronto’sversionofa“recyclinglounge”,withhatchesthattransportwastetoanotherroomoutofsight(photocredit:TorontoCommunityHousing).

Image:GarbagepilesupbecomingdifficulttomanageinanSRO.

Image: The City of Toronto’sfree in-unit recycling bags,complete with standardizedinformational icons (photocredit: Toronto CommunityHousing).


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newbuildingsinTorontohaveincludedaversionofthe“recyclinglounge”,whichincludesoneroomwiththreehatchesinthewallwhereresidentsgotodeposittheirwaste,withchutesthattransferthewasteintoaseparateadjacentroomoutofsight.CASE:InCopenhagen,allMURBsarerequiredtohavewastemanagementplansandreceptaclesor spaces for: garbage, cardboard, paper, hard plastic, batteries, metal, small electronicequipment, bulky waste, large electronic equipment, (sometimes) bottles and glass, and(sometimes)afreeitemexchangearea.Hazardouswasteisgiventothebuildingmanagerwhichisthenpickeduponcepermonth.

Garbage bins should always be placed to be more convenient to access than organics andrecyclingbins,howevertherelativeconvenienceofeachbintypemustbeconsidereddependingontheusers’tendencies.

Images: In Copenhagen, multiple well-labelled colour-coded bins are provided to MURBs to makerecyclingeasierforresidents(photocredit:CityofCopenhagen).

Recommendations:• CollaboratewiththeProvincialGovernment,MetroVancouverandMMBCtoprovide

freeorganicskitchen-catchersandbluerecyclingtotebagstoallMURBSrespectively,andallowbuildingstafftoorderupto10%replacementperyearforfree.Encouragethesein-unitbinsfororganicsandrecyclingtobecomestandardrequireditemsinalllivingspacesaspartofstandardleaseagreements,assmokedetectorscurrentlyare,sothatreplacementsbecomeunnecessaryovertime.

• Continuetoprovidefreestandardizedstickersandposterstobuildingstafffordistributiontotenantsandforpostingincommonwasterooms.


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6.ACCESSMAYBEDIFFICULTFORRESIDENTSWITHPHYSICALBARRIERS.

Discussion:Dumpstersarenotoriouslynotuserfriendly,especiallyforresidents with physical barriers including: seniors, kids,andpeoplewithphysicaldisabilities.Lidscanbetooheavyordifficulttoopen,binedgescanbetootalltogetwasteinto, and waste can be heavy and cumbersome to lift.Whilesomeorganizationshavereplacedmetaldumpsterlidswithplasticlids,sometimesthesearestilltooheavyorarenotpermittedduetofirehazardregulations.

Challenge: Dumpstersaredifficulttouseforsomeresidentswithphysicalbarriers.

Whenbinsarestoredinalleysordistantwasterooms,accessingbinscanbedifficultforsomeusersduetodistance,physicalimpediments,andpersonalfears.

Images:ArecyclingbinataSeattleHousingAuthoritysitewhichhasbeenmodifiedtomakeitmoreaccessibletoresidentswhoarechallengedtouseadumpster.

• AddlanguageandvisualexamplestotheCityofVancouverGarbageandRecyclingStorageFacilityDesignguidelinesthatencouragewasteroombestpractices,including:

o Standardizedcolour-codedwallsectionswithcorrespondingbins.o Garbagereceptaclesplacedtobeslightlymoreconvenientthanreceptaclesfor

otherstreams.o Designatedspaceforbulkyitems,electronics,batteries,andhazardouswaste.o Creatingexchangecentresinbuildingstofacilitatere-useofgoodsthatarestill

ingoodcondition.o Separationofuser-accessiblecommonspacefromroomwherewasteisstored,

byconnectingchutes(“recyclinglounge”).• Createcleardesignguidelinesforrenovationsandnewconstructionthatpresentbest

practicesforwastemanagement,includingspecificspaceforin-unitwastesortingbins.• Encourage,andeventuallyrequire,allMURBstohavecomprehensivewaste

managementplans,includingdesignatedspaceson-sitetomanage:garbage,organics,cardboard,paper,mixedrecyclablecontainers,glass,EPRprograms(i.e.batteries,smallelectronics),bulkywaste,andhazardouswaste.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Garbage_and_Recycling_Storage_Facility_Supplement.pdf



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CASE:InSHAtownhomes,disabledresidentscanputtheirbinsbehindtheirbackdoorforpick-up.InMURBs,dumpstersandbinshavebeenmodifiedtobehandicap-accessible.CASE: Three TCH buildings for seniors are considering implementing a door-to-door organicscollectionserviceforresidentswithseveremobilityissueswhoareunabletoleavetheirunits.This service has the added benefit of allowing waste collection staff to check bins forcontaminationandprovidetargetededucation.

III.WASTESTREAMCONTAMINATIONWhenthereiscontaminationinwaste,buildingoperatorsenduppayingmoreforwasteservices.Somehaulerschargecustomersdirectlywhenthereiscontamination,addingtheinstanceasaline item in their invoice. Other haulers absorb the cost upfront and recoup it later, ascontaminationlevelsaretakenintoaccountwhenservicepricingisrenegotiatedatthestartofanewserviceterm.

Recommendations:

• Whendumpstersareincludedinnewbuildingdesigns,ensuretherearemechanismstomakethemmoreaccessible,includingramps,orhatchesinthesideofdumpsters.Alternatively,encouragebuildingstobuilddesign“recyclinglounges”withhatchesinthewallthatcarrywastetodumpstersinanotherroom,orundergroundwasteunitswithlowreceptacles.

Images:Contaminationishighlyvisibleinsidethiscleargarbagebagfromasupportivehousingfacility,whichcontainssyringes,refundablebeveragecontainers,electronics,andnumeroustypesofrecyclables.


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7.SOMEBUILDINGSHAVENOORGANICSORRECYCLINGSERVICEATALL.

Discussion:Asmanyhousingorganizations and shelters in theDTESoffermealprograms,understandingwastechallengesassociatedwithmealpreparationisessentialtomanagingtheirorganicswasteprograms9.BuildingOperatorRainCityhassuccessfullyimplementedorganicscollectionforallkitchenwastefrommealprogramsintheirbuildings.Manyoperatorscomplainthatimplementingorganicsandrecyclingprogramsintheirbuildingsisnotcosteffective,especiallywhentherearenoincentivesorresourcestosupportthem.InTorontoandCopenhagen,servicefeesfororganicsandrecyclingpick-upareimbeddedincitywaste fees, sonoadditional feesarecharged for theseservices. ThisapproachcouldnotbeimplementedinVancouverwithoutaregionalwaste-containmentby-law.

9FormoreinformationontheneedsofmealserviceorganizationsintheDTES,seereportsfromtheDTESKitchenTablesProject.

Challenges:Somebuildingshavemealprogramswithanon-sitekitchen,butnocompostservice.Manybuildingsdonothavesufficientincentiveorsupporttosetupwastediversionprograms.

Forseasonalshelters,residualwastesareimproperlydisposedofasgarbageattheendoftheseasonduetolimitedresources.

Images:AsharedkitcheninanSROlackscompostandrecyclingreceptacles,andagarbagebagfromanotherSROiscompletelyfullofrecyclables.Whenbuildingshaveonlysingle-streamwasteservice,residentshavenooptionbuttoputeverythinginthegarbage.


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Refundable beverage containers are alsocommonly found in garbage, as most buildingshave no receptacles in which to deposit theseitems.Some buildings appear to have recycling andorganics pickup services, but these bins actuallybelongtootherbuildingsandhavebeenmovedbyresidents. Building staff are then tasked withreturning these bins to their rightful owners,thoughmanybinslackidentification.Bicyclepartsareacommonbulkyitemleft incommonspaces,whicharetypicallycollectedbybulkywastehaulerswithotherwasteandputintogarbage.

In shelters, individualsbringa lotof scavengedmaterialsinwiththem.Whenseasonalsheltersclose in the spring there are large volumes ofwasteconcentratedthere.Thiswasteallgoestothe garbage, as shelter staff do not have theresourcesneededtoseparatethiswaste.

Image:Acollectionofrecyclingbinsthathavebeentakenfromothersitesanddepositedinthecommonspaceofanonprofitsupportivehousingfacility.

Images:Apileofbicyclesinthecommonspaceofasupportivehousingfacility,andunhelpfulsignageinanSRO.Bikepartsareacommonbulkywasteitemthattypicallylackaneffectivewastemanagementplan.

Image:WhilethisSROhasrecyclingbinsinthewasteroomthatareusedbyresidents,thereisnorecyclingpickupservice,soallrecyclingiscollectedwiththegarbage.


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8.HAZARDOUSWASTEINGARBAGECREATESISSUESATMULTIPLESTAGES.

Discussion:Insomebuildingswherethere ishighvolumeofsyringewaste, therearenotenoughsyringedisposalboxesortheseboxesarenotplacedinstrategiclocations.Withoutimprovementstotheprovision of syringe disposal boxes, individuals who put syringes in garbage receptacles areunlikelytochangetheirbehavior. Theyarenotmotivatedbythe$50finepersyringethat is

Challenges: Hazardouswasteingarbage,especiallysyringes,isdangerousforwastehandlersandincurscontaminationsurcharges.Highchargesencouragehaulerstodisposeofcontaminatedwasteoutsideoftheregion.Manybuildingshaveinsufficientsyringedisposalboxes.Cleargarbagebagsmakecontaminationmorevisibletoinspectors,butarerequiredforuseinsomesupportivehousingfacilities.Surchargesforitemsidentifiedasbannedhazardousandoperationalimpactmaterialsarelikelytoincreaseinthenearfuture.Ifthereisnoon-siteprogramfornon-medicalhazardouswaste,tenantsaremorelikelytodisposeoftheseitemsingarbage.

Recommendations:• Manynon-marketbuildingsneedspecializedsupporttointroduceorganicsand

recyclingprograms.Ajointly-fundedprogramshouldbecreatedbetweenMetroVancouver,theCityofVancouver,andMMBCtoofferfreecustomizedwastemanagementconsultingtobuildingstaff,tohelpthemset-upprogramsinbuildingsthatcurrentlyhavenoservice.

• CollaboratewiththeProvincialGovernment,MMBC,andMetroVancouvertocreateafundtosupportwastemanagementprogramimprovementsinnon-markethousingfacilities.Buildingoperatorscouldapplyforgrantsforspecificprojects,withmonitoringandreportingrequirements.

• SeasonalsheltersfundedbyBCHousingshouldberequiredtobudgetforwastesortingatthetimeofshelterclosurestoimprovediversionrates.

• Encouragehaulerstopartnerwithlocalnonprofitcommunitybikeshopstodivertbicyclepartsfromhauledbulkywaste.


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applied to haulers at transferstations, and subsequentlypassedontobuildingoperators,becausetheydonotreceiveanynegative feedbacks from this.Syringedisposalboxes inpublicalleys are often full and thusunusable,resultinginindividualsdisposing of syringes directlyintodumpsters,orleavingthemonthestreet.MetroVancouver’scurrent2015TippingFeeBylawincludesabanonhazardousandoperationalimpactmaterials, includingsyringesandexcrement, intended todiscouragedisposalof thesematerialsinmunicipalsolidwaste.However,MetroVancouverisconsideringeasingthebanon

excrementandfindingwaystomanageitsafely,duetoitsincreasingprevalenceinthewastestream.Asimilarapproach could be used to address the presence ofsyringesinthewastestream,fromspecificcustomers.Most haulers encourage the use of black or opaquewaste bags to hide contamination, while in somesupportivehousingfacilities,clearbagsarerequiredinorder to protect tenant support workers. Clear bagsincrease the visibility of contamination and bannedmaterials ingarbage, resulting inahigher incidenceofsurchargesfromMetroVancouverinspectors.Surchargesforbannedmaterialsmaysoonbeincreased,

accordingtotheProposed2017TippingFeeBylawChanges:“DisposalbansonanysingleitemslistedunderBannedHazardousandOperationalImpact Materials or Banned ProductStewardshipMaterialsareenforcedthroughaflat $50 surcharge for each occurrence... Anincrease in that flat fee could provide anincreased incentive for residents and otherhaulers to divert such materials. The $50surcharge has remained constant since 2009.Considering inflation increases since 2009, anappropriatecurrentsurchargewouldbeintherangeof$65.”Costlybansencouragehaulerstodisposeofwasteattransferstationsoutsideoftheregionaljurisdiction.

Image:Asyringeinthegarbage,acommonoccurrenceinsomebuildings.

Image:Asyringedisposalboxinapublicalley,inneedofemptying.

Image:AsyringedisposalboxinasharedwashroominanSRO.


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CASE:InTCHbuildings,hazardousandelectronicwastecanbegiventoaBuildingManagerforstorageinalockedroomuntilpickup.BuildingManagerscanthencalltheCitytoarrangefreehazardouswastepickupviathe“toxictaxi”.ForallMURBsinCopenhagen,hazardouswasteisgiventothebuildingmanagerwhothenholdsitforaspecialtruckthatcomesbyforpickuponcepermonth.

Recommendations:• Improvesyringedisposalprogramsinrelevantbuildings.Requirebuildingoperators

toaffixsyringedisposalboxesineverysharedwashroom,besideeverygarbagebin,andallowresidentstokeeponeintheirroomiftheydesirewhichtheycanthenexchangeforanemptyonefrombuildingstaff.

• Improvethefrequencyofmaintenanceandofpublicsyringedisposalboxes.• EncourageMetroVancouvertoremovesyringesfromthelistofhazardousbanned

materialssothattheynolongerincura$50fineperitem.Customersshouldstillbestronglyencouragedtoseparatesyringesfromgarbage.

• Requirebuildingsthatregularlyhavehazardouswasteingarbagetousehigh-visibilityidentifierstomarkbags,thusalertinghandlerstotheirpotentialdanger;thiscouldincludetintedbags,stickers,ormarkedtape.

• RequireallgarbagebagsdepositedatMetroVancouverdisposalfacilitiestobeclear.

Residentsdisposeofsyringesingarbage

Haulercollectsgarbageanddeliverstotransferstation

AtMetroVancouvergarbagetransferstations,inspectorsmayfinehaulersforpresenceofbannedhazardouswaste

Haulerspassfinesontobuildingoperators,orareforcedtoabsorbfinesforoperatorswithfixedfunding

Buildingoperatorshavenomechanismstoenforcebansonresidents

Theincompletefeedbackloopofhazardouswastebansinnon-markethousing


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9.CONTAMINATIONRUINSTHEVALUEOFORGANICSANDRECYCLING

Discussion:Numerousoptionsexistforresidentstomanagethe“ickfactor”oftheirorganicswaste,howevermost of these options have barriers: freezingwaste requires having access to a freezerwithadequatefreezerspace,andmostotheroptionsrequireuserstopurchaseinputs.Especiallyforindividualswhoproduce little foodwasteand/orhave limitedkitchenaccess, theextraeffortrequiredtomanagetheirorganicwastemayseemimpractical.CASE:InMURBsinmanyotherjurisdictions,allcompostbinsincommonwasteroomsarelinedwithcompostablebags.InCopenhagenandmanyEuropeancities,allorganicswastemustbebaggedbyuserswhendepositedinreceptacles,whichislaterde-baggedatprocessingfacilities.CASE:TheSeattleHousingAuthorityhastrialedsupplyingpermittedbiodegradablebagsforfreetoresidentsthroughdispensersincommonwasterooms,withgooduptakefromresidents.Bagswerepurchased throughEcosafe (aSurrey-basedcompany)andcostapproximately$160permonthfor100units.Whengarbagereceptaclesarelocatedinremote corners of buildings, they aremore susceptible to contamination.Receptacles located in central commonareasputsubtlepressureonresidentstosort waste correctly and typically havelowercontaminationrates.

Challenge:Contaminationofplasticbagsinorganicsbinsiscommon,asresidentsprefertobagorganicwastetoavoidsmellsandcontact.

Highlycontaminatedloadsoforganicsandrecyclingaredisposedasgarbage,withassociatedcontaminationfees.

Image:Anorganicsbinwithalinerandfreein-unitbinlinershelptokeepbinstidyinanSHAbuilding.


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Image:garbagebinsinanonprofitSROarecentrallylocated,whichdecreasescontaminationduetosubtlepeerpressure.

Recommendations:• Pilotaprogramtosupplyresidentsatprivatelyservicedbuildingswithfree

compostablebagsfortheirorganicswaste,throughadispenserinaneasily-accessiblecommonspace.Considerprovidingthisservicetoothernon-marketbuildingsthatexperiencechallengesinorganicsprogramuptake.

• Providebinplacementconsultationtobuildings,andencouragebinstobelocatedincentralareas.


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IV.WASTESTORAGE

10.WASTESTORAGEINOUTDOORPUBLICAREASCREATESISSUES.

Discussion:Many MURB staff complain of bins beingfrequently broken into and damaged, andsome building operators believe recycling isnot possible due to constant bin infiltrationwhenbinsarestoredinalleys,especiallyintheDTES. Haulers are responsible for replacingbroken locks and wheels, but often it takesthem considerable time to complete theserepairs,andinthemeantimelargemessescanaccumulate. Operators are occasionallychargedbyhaulerswhenthishappens,butarepowerless in these situations and have noalternatives.CASE:AtoneMVHCsite, receptacleswereswitched fromcentralizeddumpsters to individualcurbsidebinsinordertomakeresidentsmoreresponsibleforcontamination,andtoremovethefocalpointforillegaldumping.Ifthereiscontaminationinthebins,thentheyarenotpickedup.

Challenges:Securedwastebinsinpublicareasarefrequentlybrokenintoorleftunlocked.Numerousproblemsarisewhenwasteisstoredinoutdoorpublicareas:wasteispiledontopofbins,wastegetsopenedandrifledthroughbybinners,pestswillopenbagsofgarbageifexposed,andbinsbecomeatargetforillegaldumping.Thisistrueforbinsinallies,outdoorparkinglots,andlargehousingsiteswherebinsarestoredontheedgeoftheproperty.Somebuildingshavenospaceforadequatewastestoragefacilities,eveninpublicareas,sospecialarrangementsmustbemadewithhaulers,whichtypicallyhaveassociatedissues.

Insomealleysandpublicareas,thereisinsufficientspacetostoreallofthedumpstersneededbyneighbouringbuildings.Themoredumpstersthereare,thegreaterchancethatadisposaltruckmaybeunabletoenterthealleytocollectwaste,causinginefficienciesandmissedpick-ups.

Image:Anoverflowingunsecuredgarbagedumpster(photocredit:DonnaTaylor).


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Theincreasedcostofprovidingandservicingtheextrabinsiscompensatedbydecreasedcostsforillegaldumpinganddecreasedcontaminationrates.CASE: The Strathcona BIA currently coordinates an extended waste pick-up service for itsmemberscalledRecycleinStrathconawhichlaunchedinNovember2015.TheserviceisofferedthroughacommunitypreferredserviceagreementbetweentheenlistedBIAmembersandtwolocalcompanies:RecyclingAlternative(alargelocalhauler),andShiftDelivery(abicycle-poweredcargo delivery company). The service provides small to large recycling pickup services fornumerouswastestreamsatareducedrate.TheStrathconaBIAisalsointerestedinsupportingatrialofsharedwastebinsforneighbouringsitesonparallelblocksthatshareanalley. Sharingbinshasthebenefitsof:reducinghaulingcosts,reducingthenumbersofdumpstersandclutter,reducingthenumberoftrucksvisitingthealleys, and making the alleys more attractive for other uses. Specialized shared organicscontainerscandecreasesmellsandpests,andprocessorganicsonsitetodecreasevolume,thusreducingthefrequencyofpickups.Sharedbinsystemsalsoappealtobusinesseswithverysmallorganicsandrecyclingwasteoutputs,whosevolumesarenotlargeenoughtowarrantindividualwastecontractsforthesestreams.TheYaletownBIAisexploringsimilarconceptstoreducethenumbersofbinsonstreets,duetoconcernsthattheyareunsightly,createcrowding,andattractcrimeandinformalshelters.SharedundergroundautomatedwastebinsarecommonplaceinnumerousEuropeancities,andaddressseveralprevailingwastestorageissues.Thewasteisstoredoutofsight,inaunitthatispest-proofand inaccessible tobinners,andeasily sharedamongmultipleneighbouringusers.Depositingwasteintothebinscanberestrictedbykey-cardaccesswithchargespervolumeorweight,ormadeopentoallusers.Thewastevolumeinbinscanbemonitoredremotelysothatbinsareonlyemptiedwhenneeded,improvingefficiencyofpickups.Binscanbeinstalledinjust

Image:undergroundwastestoragecontainersinuseintheNetherlands(photocredit:EureteEnterprises).


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oneday,requirenowiringduetosolarpaneloperation,andcanbeconfiguredforside-unloadingor overhead-crane-unloading depending on space restrictions and the collection vehicleavailable.Thisfully-automatedbinunloadingsystemalsoreducessanitationcrews’exposuretowaste,andcanbeoperatedbyacrewofone.Thebinsaremuchlessaestheticallyintrusivethandumpsters,andthereforecanbeplacedinmorecentral,high-visibilityareas,whichmakesthemmoreaccessible for residents, puts subtlepressureon residents to sort correctly, anddetersillegaldumping.CASE:CleanStartisalocalsocialenterprisethatprovideswastepickupservicestobuildingsusinga“frontdoor”manualwasteremovalmodel,wherewasteiscollectedfrequentlyfrommultiplebinswithineachbuilding. Buildingsare serviced fourdaysperweek, andbuilding staff thenmanagewastebetweenservicedays.

Metro Vancouverwaste room design guidelines recommend that newmulti-family buildingsinclude“FlexSpace”aspartofcentralizedrecyclingstoragespace,“forstorageofotherreusableorrecyclablematerialsthatmaybeaddedtocollectionservicesovertime,inadditiontogarbageandrecyclingstoragespace”;here,thisflexspaceissuggestedtobeanadditional50%ofthespace allocated for garbage and recycling storage. These guidelines are suggestions formunicipalities, as an addition to existingmunicipal bylaws. Such flex space also permits thecreationofdesignatedbulkywastedepositareas.

Image:“front-door”wasteremovalinanSROmeansbagsaremanuallyhauledfromeachfloor.


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Recommendations:Note:Athirdpartycoordinator,suchastheBCNonprofitHousingAssociation,wouldbeneededtofacilitatethefollowingpilots.TheCitycaninitiateandprovideindirectsupport.

• Createapilotofcoordinatedwastemanagementzones,whereonehauleriscontractedtoprovideservicestoagroupofneighbouringsites.ApartnershipbetweentheCity,theBCNonprofitHousingAssociation,andthelocalBIAcouldbeestablishedtoprovideservicestobothbusinessesandhousingfacilities.Suchapilotcouldstartsmall,withjustonefullblock,andlaterbeexpandedtoincludelargerneighbourhoodareas.Thefollowingaresiteswherethispilotcouldbeexplored:

o Sitessharingthealleybehindthe600blockofAlexanderStreetandPowellStreetbetweenPrincessAveandHeatleyAve(recommendedbytheStrathconaBIA).

o Currentlythereare43sitesreceivingspecialWednesdaynightgarbagecollectionfromtheCity,duetotheirlimitedcapacityforon-sitewastestorage.Manyofthesesitesareinverycloseproximity(seemapbelow).

o AredesignofBloodAlleyiscurrentlyunderway,andwouldbenefitfromareductioninthenumberofdumpsters.

o OtherareasofhighdumpsterconcentrationinGastown,Strathcona,theDTES,andYaletown.

• Implementapilotofsharedundergroundautomatedwastestoragebins.Opportunitiesforpilotinstallationsinclude:upcomingMVHCandBCHousingsiteredevelopments,andthesitesmentionedaboveforcoordinatedwastemanagementzones.

• Considerusingin-vesselvolume-reducingorganicsunitsinsharedbinpilots,toreducepickupfrequency,andpreventsmellandpestexposure.

• Wheresharedbinsarenotpossible,andorganicsorrecyclingvolumesarelow,engageathirdparty(suchastheBCNonprofitHousingAssociation)tocoordinatecommunitypreferredserviceagreementsbetweenhaulersandnon-marketbuildings&kitchenstoenablethemtoparticipateinmorecost-effectiveorganicsandrecyclingpickupservices.Theservicecouldbeofferedinareaswithhighconcentrationsofnon-marketbuildingsandcommunitykitchens,suchastheDTES.

• EncouragesocialandenvironmentalprocurementpreferencestobeapartofallwastehaulerRFPs,sothatpointsaregivenforhaulersthatcanprovidetheseadditionalbenefitssuchasrequirementstohirelocalworkersandindividualswithbarriers,aswellasuseoflow-andno-emissionsvehiclesandbicycles.Alternatively,RFPwriterscanincorporateavaluepropositionatthebeginningofanRFP,withapreferenceforbusinessesthatemphasizeasocialreturnoninvestment.AddlanguagetothiseffectontheCity’s“FindaHauler”webpage.

http://vancouver.ca/doing-business/find-a-hauler.aspx


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11.ON-SITEORGANICSMANAGEMENTDEPENDSONCHAMPIONS.

Discussion:On-site organics management systems can take many forms, including: simple low-capacitythree-bin systems,more advanced systems that break down organics to reduce volumes forhauling,aswellascompletein-vesselanaerobicandaerobicsystemsthatproducefood-gradecompostandcancapturemethane.Morecomplexsystemscanbecomefeasiblewhencostsaresharedacrossmultipleorganizationsorlargehousingfacilities,butallrequirededicatedandwell-traineduserstomanagethesystemseffectively.Withthe introductionofregion-wideorganicspickupandprocessing,on-sitesystemsare lesspopular. However, shared systems that quickly breakdown organics to reduce volumes forhaulingmaybeeffective,especiallyforshared-bininstallations.

Map:LocationofsitesreceivingspecializedWednesdaynightgarbagecollectionfromtheCity.

Challenge:

On-siteorganicsmanagement(composters),canfailwithoutproperusertraininganddedicatedchampions.


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CASE: At two MVHC sites, in-vessel organics management systems were trialed with mixedresults.Inorderforsuchsystemstoworktheremustbeadedicatedstaffpersonandteamofwell-trainedresidentvolunteers.Inonecase,withstaffturnoverthenewstaffdidnotsharethesamepassionfortheproject,andsystemfailureresulted.Simplelow-capacitythree-bincompostsystemshavebeen run successfully at severalhousing sites, and continue tobemanagedbyresidentgardeners.CASE:UnionGospelMission(UGM)usesanon-sitein-vesselcompostingunitprovidedbyhaulerRecyclingAlternative.Theunitreducesfoodwastevolumesby80%within24hours,resultinginsignificantlyreducedfrequencyofpickups.Thenon-foodgradecompostisthentruckedtoanindustrialcompostingfacilitytocompletetheprocess.Thesystemiscontained,andissmell-andpest-proof.

V.BULKYWASTEMANAGEMENTANDILLEGALDUMPINGDisposingofbulkywasteaccordingtoregulations isoftenprohibitivelydifficultandcostly forresidentsandbuildingoperators. Prevalenceof illegaldumpinghas increased significantly inVancouverinrecentyears,andhasbecomeacommonplacewayofdealingwithbulkywaste.12. LAW-ABIDING BULKY WASTE MANAGEMENT COMES WITH SIGNIFICANTBARRIERS.

Discussion:Properlydisposingofbulkywaste isamajorchallengeforresidents,especiallythosewhoarelowerincomeandwithoutaccesstoalargevehicle.Whenthereisnocity-wideprogramforbulky

Recommendations:

• Considerusingin-vesselvolume-reducingcompostingunitsinsharedbinpilots,toreducepickupfrequency,andpreventsmellandpestexposure.

Challenges:Carownershipratesaredeclining,makingVSTSinaccessibleforbulkywastedisposal,andhiringbulkywastehaulersiscostprohibitiveformanyhouseholds.

Responsiblebulkywastemanagementcomeswithanimmensecostforbuildingswithlimitedoperatingbudgets.


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waste,eachMURBmayormaynothavetheirownprogram,withmixedefficacyincommunicating those programs totenants. In some MURBs with tightbudgets, building staff direct tenants toabandonbulkywasteoncitypropertysothey can call for freepickup inorder toavoidpayingforahauler.CASE: At buildings run by The BloomGroup,residentscoordinatewithbuildingstaff to arrange bulky waste pickupdirectlyfromunits,duetotherebeingnostorage space in buildings. At buildingsrun by RainCity Housing, each buildingtypically receives 1-2 bulky waste pick-upspermonth,orwhenahoarderroomneedstobeemptied.CASE:AtMVHCsitesinVancouver,bulkywastemanagementcostshavesteadilyincreasedoverthepastfouryears.Inthatperiod,asuccessful‘cleanupday’programwasimplementedatthreeVancouversitesin2012andscaleduptosixsitesin2015,whichreducedabandonedwasteatthose sites (see this link for more information). Annual cleanup days give residents theopportunity to exchange unwanted bulky items, build community connections, participate inwastemanagementeducationprograms,anddisposeoftheirbulkywasteinaresponsibleway.CleanupdayeventsaretypicallycombinedwithacommunityBBQmeal,andthewasteishauledawayat theendof theday. MVHC is challenged toabsorb the increasingcostsof removingillegallyabandonedwaste(seetablebelow),whichisoftendumpedbesidewastebinsontheedgesofhousingsitesbynon-residents.

Image:apileofbulkywasteinasecuredspacebehindasupportivehousingfacility.Muchofthiswastecouldbediverted.

MVHCbulkywasteremovalcostsforsitesintheCityofVancouverfrom2012-2015

2012 2013 2014 2015Totalwastecosts,allsites $27,725.15 $41,058.65 $39,703.72 $52,233.47Totalabandonedwastecosts $26,015.77 $34,893.65 $34,977.42 $43,717.75Average,abandonedwastecostsperbuilding

$1,734.38 $2,326.24 $2,331.83 $2,914.52

Average,abandonedwastecostsperunit

$31.68 $41.35 $40.03 $46.81

Totalcleanupdaycosts $1,709.38 $6,165.00 $4,726.30 $8,515.72Average,cleanupdaycostsperbuilding

$569.79 $1541.25 $945.26 $1419.29

Average,cleanupdaycostsperunit $15.67 $14.67 $8.79 $22.42

Datasource:UlrykeWeissgerber,SupervisorofTenantPrograms,MVHC.

http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/apartments-condos/apartment-recycling-toolkit/Pages/Swap-Meets.aspx


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Many cities have bulky waste pickupservices, with variations in frequencyandpricing structure. Someexamplesof current bulky waste managementprogramsinclude:• TheCityofToronto:providesfree

bulky waste pick-up weekly onrecyclingday,andwillsendastaffmember out to MURB sites todetermineanappropriatesitefordepositingbulkywasteforpickup.

• TheCityofSanFrancisco:offersallresidents two free bulky wastepickupdayspermonth.

• TheCityofCopenhagen:requiresallMURBstohaveadesignatedroomorplaceforbulkywaste,whereitcanbestoreduntilspecifiedfreecollectiondays,whichoccurfourtimesperyear.Rowhousesanddetachedhousesalsogetfreebulkywastepickupfourtimesperyear.

• InSeattleatSHAsites,abulkywastepick-upserviceisofferedtobuildingmanagersbytheSHA,charging$17.54peritemincludingmattresseswhichmustbewrappedforbedbugs,and$22.22peritemforlargeappliances.

In2006therewereapproximately2200abandonedmattressespickedupintheCity of Vancouver, and in 2015 therewereover800010.Manymattressesaredisposed of due to bedbugs and hightenant turnover. Metro Vancouver iscurrentlyinvestigatingtheplausibilityofincluding mattresses in a future EPRprogram.

10InterviewwithJimHeeps,SuperintendentofStreetCleaning,CityofVancouver

Image:mattressespiledupfordisposalinasecuredareabehindasupportivehousingfacilityarebaggedduetobedbugcontamination.

Image:amapofthe11recyclingstationsforresidents,spreadacrosstheCityofCopenhagen(indicatedbythelargeblackandreddots).


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CASE: In Copenhagen there are elevenrecycling centres across the city whereresidents can take excess waste, anddelivery by bicycle is highly encouraged.Bulkywasteisacceptedforfreeattheserecycling centers which have very user-friendly signage, numbered wastestreams that do not change, andattendantsonhandtoanswerquestions.Therearefive“RecyclingStations”whichaccept 36 streams of recycling, and six“Collection Points” which accept 12streams, including: hazardous waste,electronics, household appliances, bulkywaste (furniture, mattresses, woodboards, carpets, etc), mixed metals,paper, cardboard, glass, PVC, treatedwood,hardplastics,andtextiles.Therearealsore-usecenters,whereresidentscanexchangeunwantedhousehold items, andone experimentalwaste-reuse design lab called “Goldmine”wherenewproductsarebuiltfromupcycledwaste.

Recommendations:• Implementrecommendationsfromthe2008staffreportonbulkywaste,starting

withtheimplementationofapilotbulkywastepickupserviceinVancouver,withtheintentiontoscale-uptheprogramtoincludeallresidentialbuildings.

o Regularannualbulkywastedisposaldaysgivetheopportunityforresidentstoplantolookforfreeitemsonthosedays,andgivesthecityadaytofocusdeliveryofwaste-reductionmessaging.

• EncourageallMURBstohaveabulkywastemanagementplanincludingadesignatedbulkywastedrop-offareaintheirbuildingsoranoptionforresidentstoleavebulkywastewithbuildingstaff.

• Offerfreebulkywastepickupforallnon-markethousingsites,especiallythosethathouseresidentswithmultiplebarriers.

• Explorethefeasibilityofopeningasmalltransferstationforresidentialwasteandspecializedrecyclingprograms,locatedclosetohigh-densityneighbourhoodssuchasintheFalseCreekFlats.Thiscentrecouldbeahubforrecyclingeducationprogramming,includeafreeitemexchangespace,awasteup-cyclingdesignworkshop,andbeadistributionpointforwastemanagementmaterials.

Image:recyclingstationsinCopenhagenhave36clearlyidentifiedrecyclingstreams,including31:householdappliancesandelectricalequipment,32:monitors,36:cables,and24:lightbulbs.


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13.ILLEGALDUMPINGHASBECOMECOMMONPLACE.

Discussion:Social norming indicates that peoplewill dowhat they seeothers getting awaywith, and soabandonedwastecanaccumulatequickly.Therefore,bulkywastepickupturn-aroundtimesareveryimportant.CASE:Burnabyhasamulti-prongedapproachtotackleillegaldumping:

• Crews make regular weekly visits to frequent illegal dumping sites, unprompted bycomplaints,topreventaccumulation.

• Thereweresignificantreductionsinillegaldumpingonceamandatorybulkyitempickupprogramwasimplemented,evenwherebuildingsalreadyhadprivatehaulers.

• Burnabyhaspurchasedsixhighdefinitionsecuritycamerastomonitor illegaldumpinghotspots(costingapproximately$5000-$6000each).Theycansetpolygonstomonitorspecificactivityareas,canalertstaffofactivity,livefootagecanbeviewedremotely,andthey can easily capture license plates. They swap the cameras through different hotspots, as they takeonly 20minutes to install. Camerashavebeenhighly effective inreducingdumping.

CASE:AspartofthecurrentTCHpilot,programswereimplementedtocombatillegaldumpingat20housingsites, including: installationofsecuritycameras, improvinglightinginhotspots,andhiringsecurityguardsformove-outtimeswhenSuperintendentsarenotonsite.

Challenges:ResidentsandbuildingstaffhavelearnedthattheCitywillpickupabandoneditemsforfree.Thissystemrewardspeoplewhobreaklitteringlaws.

Illegaldumpingoftenoccursonnon-markethousingsitesfrompeopleoutsideofthehousingcommunity.Illegaldumpingisalsocommononorarounddumpstersinpublicareas,whichaccumulatesquicklyifnotcleanedupquicklybytheCity.

Recommendations:

• Useamulti-prongedapproachtoreduceillegaldumping,including:o Installhigh-definition,moveablecamerastoaidinmonitoringillegal

dumpinghotspots.o Improvelightingathotspots.o Implementacity-widebulkywastepickupprogram.


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VI.SUPPORTINGANDBUILDINGRELATIONSHIPSWITHBUILDINGSTAFF

14.BUILDINGSTAFFNEEDMORETRAININGANDSUPPORT.

Discussion:BuildingManagersandStaffholdthepowertoimprovingwastemanagementinbuildings,andengagingtheminasupportivewayisthekeytoimprovingdiversion.Stafftrainingisespeciallyimportantbeforetheintroductionofanynewprograms,andshouldbeofferedwellinadvanceofresidentengagementefforts.Somehaulersdoofferbuildingstafftrainingforafee,butmostbuildingoperatorsarenotinclinedtopayforthisservice.CASE:TorontoCommunityHousing(TCH)isthelargestsinglewasteserviceclientoperatingabout8%ofallTorontoMURBs.Duetothechallengesthatariseinservicingthesebuildings,theCityofTorontohasdedicatedresourcesandstaffspecificallytoworkingwithTCHtoaddresswastemanagementneeds.Also,anew“CustomerServiceandWasteDiversionImplementationUnit”wasestablishedundertheCollectionsandLitterOperationsgroupwithaboutfivestaff“AccountManagers”. Every MURB in the City is assigned to an Account Manager, who offers freeconsultationandsupport tobuildingstaff including trainings, lobbydisplays, troubleshooting,andwastemanagementsystemdesign.TheprogramallowsAccountManagerstobuildongoingrelationshipswithbuildingstaff,anddevelopacompleteunderstandingofabuilding’sneeds.TheCityofTorontooffersfreewastemanagementtrainingtoallMURBstaffatanannualtrainingevent. A “train the trainer”workshop format isused toequipMURBstaffwith strategies toeducatetheirtenants.ThetrainingeventsarefundedinpartbytheContinuousImprovement

Challenges:Thereishighstaffturnover,andbuildingstaff(includingBuildingManagersandSuperintendents)lacksufficienttrainingandsupportonwastemanagement.Inmanycases,wastemanagementisnotapriorityforbuildingstaff,duetomorepressingissuesandlackofmotivation,sotheydonotencourageresidentstosortorreducewasteaccumulationinprivaterooms.Theyneedlotsofsupport,andprogramsneedtobe‘servedonasilverplatter’.Externalcontractorsworkinginnon-marketbuildingsmaylacktrainingandknowledgeofthebuilding’swastemanagementsystem,causingcontamination.Thereispotentialtohiremoreresidentstoimprovewastemanagementintheirownbuildings.


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Fund,afundingprogramcreatedthroughapartnershipbetweenWasteDiversionOntario,theCityofToronto,andStewardshipOntario.AspartofanewCityofTorontoinitiative(inconjunctionwithapilotstudy),550TCHbuildingstaffweretrainedat20half-dayworkshops,whichwillcontinuebeyondthecompletionofthepilot. InTCHbuildingsthereisnofinancial incentivefortenantsandstaffatTCHbuildingstoreducegarbagevolumesbecausethebillforwasteservicesgoesdirectlytotheTCHheadoffice.Inorderto improvefeedbacktobuildingmanagersandresidents,CityAccountManagersarecreatinganew“reportcard”feedbackprogramforbuildingstaffthatwilldetailwastevolumes,prevailingcontaminationissues,andotherissuestobringtotheirattention.CASE: The former North Shore Recycling Program included outreach, follow-up andtroubleshootingsupportsforMURBsinthreemunicipalities.Today,theCityofNorthVancouvercontinues with their Zero Waste Ambassadors program, which “can provide additionalinformation,supportandresourcestohelpincreaserecyclingandfoodscrapsdiversioninyourbuilding.Wecanalsovisityourbuilding toassessyour recyclingneeds,educate residentsonproperrecyclingandhelpyouwithsignageandposters.”CASE:InPeelRegion(Ontario),thePublicWorksdepartmenthasimplementedanRFIDsystemforwaste collection reporting, complementedbya report card feedbackprocess forbuildingmanagers,toinformthemoftheirbuilding’sperformanceandwastecollectionhistory.Many buildings house unemployed residents, some ofwhom are keen to take on additionalresponsibilityintheformofsmallwastemanagementjobsforpay.Hiringtenantscanbeagoodwaytoincreasesupporttobuildingstaffforexpandedwastemanagementprograms,andbuildsupportandempowermentamongresidents.

Recommendations:• CreateaprogramattheCitythatproactivelyprovidesfreeandcomprehensive

buildingstaffsupportservices.ThiswouldincludefreeannualtrainingsforallMURBstaff,ateamofdedicatedCitystafftoprovideone-on-onesupportandbuildrelationshipswithbuildingstaff,implementationtoolsforbuildingstaff,andfreeengagementprogrammingforresidents.

• MasterRecycleriscurrentlydevelopingastafftrainingworkshopforBCHousing,whichshouldbereplicatedforallbuildingmanagersandstaffintheregion.Theworkshopcouldbemadeintoavideoorinteractivetrainingwebsiteandwidelydistributed.

• TrainingandsupportcanbedirectedthroughorganizationssuchastheBCBuildingOwnersandManagersAssociation,theBCApartmentOwnersandManagersAssociation,andtheWasteManagementAssociationofBC.


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15.BUILDINGTRUSTANDIMPROVINGCITYSERVICES.

Discussion:Severalbuildingoperatorsindicatedthatenrollinginanorganicsorrecyclingpickupprogramdidnotsignificantlyreducetheirgarbagevolumesandgarbagehaulingcosts,andthusthechangewas far from cost effective. Measures should be taken to improve the cost effectiveness ofimplementingmulti-streamwastesystems.Also,buildingsneedmorespecializedsupporttoroll-outtheseprogramssuccessfully,includingstafftrainingandtenantengagement.When illegal shelters are constructed in alleys, they cause safety and fire issues for adjacentbuildings.Whentheyaredismantled,thePoliceareresponsibleformanagingthepeople,andCitycrewsareresponsibleformanagingtheleftoverwaste.Somebuildingsareconcernedthattheseillegalsheltersarenotdealtwithquicklyenough,andwouldliketoseeaquickerresponsetimefromtheCity.Becausemanynon-markethousingfacilitiesbecomemagnetsforabandonedwaste,thesesitesshouldbeprioritizedwhentheyrequestapickupforabandonedwaste.CASE:TheCityofSanFranciscooffersextendedservicesforwastepickupforafee,includingkeyservice,distanceandelevationservices.WiththeupcomingupdateoftheMunicipalTicketingInformationsystemtoincludeprovisionsforsolidwastemanagementby-lawenforcement,organizationsthathaveahistoryofviolationsshouldbegivenadvancewarningofwhenthenewprogramwillcomeintoeffect,alongwithalistofregulationsandsuggestionstohelpthemachievecompliance.Thisway,theyaregivenfairwarning,whichmaybeeffectiveinmovingthemtoaction.

Challenges:SomebuildingoperatorsdistrusttheCityandMetroVancouver,astheyseetheimplementationofmandatoryorganicsdiversionprogramsasthecreationofanewlucrativebusinessforprivatehaulers,wherecontaminationisinevitableduetothecapacityofoperators,staff,andresidents.Illegalshelterconstructionbesidedumpstersinpublicareascausesfirehazardsandabacklogofwaste,andisnotdealtwithquicklyenoughbytheCityandPolice.TheCitydoesnotofferspecializedwastepickupservices(carry-out,dumpsters,etc).


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VII.HAULER-RELATEDISSUESThereareverymixedreviewsofhaulers:someoperatorspraisetheirhaulersforextrasupportiveservicesprovided,whileotherslambastetheirhaulerforunfairbindingcontracts,mischarges,andprovidinginaccuratedata.16.ISSUESWITHPICK-UPS.

Recommendations:• Incentivizingbuildingstoenrollinorganicsandrecyclingcollectionprogramscanbe

helpedthoughtheimplementationofsharedbinsandcommunitypreferredserviceagreements,whichlowerservicecosts.

• Givesupportandpreferentialtreatmenttohaulersthatsupportthelocalcommunity(throughsocialenterprisemandates,andhiringindividualswithbarriers)andenactbestpractices(suchasusinglow-emissionsvehiclesandprovidingextrasupportstocustomers).

• ReachouttoorganizationsthathaveahistoryofbylawviolationstoinformthemofupcomingchangesintheMTIsystem,andprovidethemwithsuggestionstohelpthemachievecompliance.

• Prioritizenon-marketbuildingsforabandonedwastepickups,especiallywhenillegalsheltersrequireremoval.Explorethefeasibilityofofferingfreeorreduced-pricebulkywastepickupforbuildingsthataccumulateabandonedwastefromelsewhere.

• Explorethefeasibilityofofferingmultiplelevelsofwastepickupservice,suchascarry-outservices,anda“platinum”servicethatcouldincludeorganicsbinlinersandbinwashing.

Challenges:Incorrectbin-sizingandmissedpick-upsresultinoverflowingbinsandcontamination.Ifbinsarevisiblycontaminated,somehaulerswillnotpickupwaste,requiringbuildingmanagerstopayforamoreexpensivewasteremovalservice.Haulersareoccasionallychallengedtogetaccesstowherebinsarelocated,duetolayersofbuildingsecurityandscarcityofbuildingstaff.Haulersareexposedtonumeroushealthhazardswhenhandlingwaste.


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Discussion:Numerous issues can cause a missed pickup,includingbuildingstaffforgettingtoputbinsouton the right day, bin access being blocked bydelivery trucks or other waste trucks,contamination,bulkywasteblockingbinaccess,orwastepiledtoohighonbins.Missedpickupscausesignificant issuesforbuildings,especiallybuildings with many units. And when thegarbagebinsgetfull,residentsaremorelikelytopile up garbage or put it into bins for otherstreamscausingcontamination.Haulers are exposed to numerous healthhazardswhenhandlingwaste,whichcouldbemitigatedthroughimprovedwastemanagementpractices.Hazardsinclude:leakybags,bagscontainingsharphazardouswaste(syringes,knives)thatcanpokethroughbags,pests(cockroaches,bedbugs),mold-infestedwaste,andoverweightbagsandbins.

17.ADDRESSINGSENSEOFDISTRUSTANDFRUSTRATIONWITHHAULERS.

Discussion:Manybuildingoperatorsexpressedfrustrationwithfeelingtrappedbysomehaulers’restrictivecontractsthatcontainauto-renewalclauses,smallwindowsforcontracttermination,andhighcontract cancellation fees. While other building operators appreciate their haulers, citing

Recommendations:

• Improvehaulersafetybyrequiringclearbagsforallgarbage,andrequirebuildingstousesmallerbinsespeciallywhenbinsareemptiedmanually.

Image:agarbagebaginfestedwithcockroaches.

Challenges:Haulersdonotfulfilltheircontractualobligations,provideinsufficientorincorrectdatatocustomers,andprovidemorewastehaulingservicethanisnecessary.

Thereismorepotentialforhaulerstohirepeoplewithbarriers,especiallythosethatservicebuildingsintheDTES.


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contract flexibility, courtesy waste audits,staff training,andprovisionof totesaskeybenefits.CASE:CleanStartBCisanexampleofasocialenterprisehaulerthatbringsaddedbenefitstothecommunitiestheyserve.Theyactivelyhireindividualswithbarriers,someofwhomlive in non-market housing. Not only arethey bringing good employmentopportunitiesbacktothecommunitiestheyserve,becauseoftheirlivedexperiencetheiremployeeshaveadeeperunderstandingofthe uniquewaste needs of these buildingsand how best to manage their wasteeffectively.Theircustomershaveexpressedadesireforanexpansionofnonprofit,communitybenefit-orientedhaulers.Some haulers have a tendency to over-prescribe garbage service, while under-prescribingorganics and recycling. This is inpartbecausegarbage service is typicallymore lucrative forhaulers.

Image:ACleanStartBCwastetruckoutforpickups.

Recommendations:

• Encourage the growth of nonprofit, social enterprise, and cooperatively-ownedhaulers.EncouragesocialandenvironmentalprocurementpreferencestobeapartofallwastehaulerRFPs,sothatpointsaregivenforhaulersthatcanprovidetheseadditionalbenefitssuchasrequirementstohirelocalworkersandindividualswithbarriers,aswellasuseoflow-andno-emissionsvehiclesandbicycles.Alternatively,RFPwriterscanincorporateavaluepropositionatthebeginningofanRFP,withapreferenceforbusinessesthatemphasizeasocialreturnoninvestment.

• AddlanguagetothiseffectontheCity’s“FindaHauler”webpage.• Investigatepotentialtoimplementlegislationattheprovinciallevelthatprotectthe

rightsofwasteservicecustomers,togivethemmorepowertonegotiateandendcontractswithproblematicwastehaulers.

• RequireallhaulersoperatinginMetroVancouvertocollectandprovidewastedata(weights,volumes,andcontaminationprevalence)tocustomers,andtomunicipalandregionalauthorities.



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VIII.BUDGETLIMITATIONSFORBUILDINGOPERATORS

18. SOME NON-MARKET BUILDING OPERATORS FACE ADDITIONAL SYSTEMIC ANDSITUATIONALCHALLENGESTHATPUTTHEMATADISADVANTAGERELATIVETOOTHERBUILDINGS.

Discussion:Thestrengthofanegativefeedbackloopmustbesetrelativetothebehaviouritisdesignedtocorrect11,meaningthatregulationsthataredesignedtocreatenegativefeedbackloopstomodifybehaviours,suchascontamination finesandtipping fees,musthaveappropriateseveritybutalsomustreachthepeoplewho’sbehaviourtheyareattemptingtomodify.Finesforsyringes,forexample,donothingtochangebehaviour,butdoputgreatstrainonnonprofithaulersandbuildingoperatorswhoarealreadystretched.Forhaulerswhoservicebuildingsthatproducecontaminatedwaste,theyarecaughtinadifficultpositionbecausethecontaminationcannotbeeffectivelydecreased,andfrequentdisposalsurchargesincreasecostswhilebuildingswithfixedfundingareunabletopaymorefordisposal.11Meadows(1997):PlacestoInterveneinaSystem.

Challenges:Whenservicingabuildingwithfixedfunding,haulerscannotpassfinesontobuildingoperators,andittendstobethebuildingswithhighercontaminationratesthatalsocannotaffordincreasedwastedisposalfees.Thereisaninappropriatedistributionoffines:additionalcostsareoftenhandedtotheorganizationsmostchallengedtopaythem(finesforhazardousmedicalwaste,contamination,removinghoarders’waste,andlargeamountofbulkywaste). Neworganicsdisposalprogramfeesarenotsufficientlyoffsetbyadecreaseingarbagevolumesanddisposalfeesinmanybuildings,andthesebuildingsdonothaveenoughresourcestoimprovediversionrates.Buildingswithfixedbudgetscannotaffordimprovedwastemanagementsystems.Implementationofnewfineprogramswillbeprohibitivefortheoperationalbudgetsofsomebuildings.Inbuildingswhereresidentscollectandhoardabandonedwaste,buildingoperatorsarestretchedtocovercoststodealwithsuchwaste,whiletheCitysavesmoneyasvolumesofabandonedwastearereducedinpublicareaselsewhere.


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InmanySROs,wastecartsarestoredinhallwayswhichpresentafirehazard.Oftenthereisnoofficialinternalsystemforcollection,andtenantsarepaid$5totakebinsdowntothealleywhenfull.ManySROshaveverytightbudgetsandarenotinterestedintakingextraeffortforwastemanagement.CASE: In Portland, San Francisco, andNew York, public housing authorities are exempt fromorganicsdiversionprograms.InToronto,TorontoCommunityHousingbuildingsreceivespecialsupportfromtheCitytoincreasetheirparticipationintheCity’swastediversionprograms.InCopenhagen, public housing buildings are required to participate fully in the City’s wastediversionprograms,butreceivenoextrasupport.Allhousingoperatorshaveseenrecentrisingwasteservicescosts.Oneoperatorsharedtheircostdata,whichshowedsignificantvariabilityincostsoverthepastfiveyears,withcostspeakinginthemostrecentperiod(seechartbelow).

Duetothenatureoftenantsinsomelow-incomebuildings,especiallythoselocatedclosetotheHastingsStreetMarkets,hoardingofcollectedabandonedwaste iscommon. Somebuildingsbecomecentersofconcentratedabandonedwastebecauseofthis,andbuildingoperatorsarechallengedtokeepontopofbulkywastemanagementandassociatedcosts.

Recommendations:

• Reconsider theway fines and fees are applied to non-market buildings. Exploremechanisms to reduce or eliminate fines for these building types, and insteadimplementfeedbackloopsthatdirectlyaffectresidents’behaviour(seeChallenges1and2).

$13,312$11,557 $10,522

$12,818

$17,942

$-

$4,000

$8,000

$12,000

$16,000

$20,000

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Wastehaulingcostsperbuildingforanonprofithousingoperator


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19.ANINEFFICIENTPRACTICEOF“FOODDONATIONS”PUTSMEALPROVIDERSINADIFFICULTSITUATION.

Discussion:Thereare25organizationsofferingregularfreeorlow-costmealsinVancouver12,andupto133organizations offering infrequent free or low cost meal programs in Vancouver 13 . “Mostorganizationsthatacceptfooddonationsarenon-profitsoperatingonverylimitedbudgetsandresourcestoreceive,sort,storeandusedonatedfooditems.Thereisacertaincostassociatedwitheachsteptousethedonatedfooditems”.DorisChow,Managerof theDTESKitchenTablesProject,explains that supermarketorganicswaste, rebranded as “food donations”, can be burdensome for nonprofit kitchens to accept.While volume data has not been recorded due to resource constraints, nonprofits haveanecdotally identifiedan increase infoodwastedumpingsincethe introductionoftheMetroVancouverorganicsban.AstudycommissionedbyLOCOBCin2010onDTEScommunitymealprogramsestimatedtherewaspotentialtodivertapproximately60tonnesoffoodwaste.Atthattime,onlyonekitchenintheirstudywascompostingorganicwaste;participationinorganicsrecyclinghassinceincreased,buta followupstudycould identifyareas for improvement. Forsmallerkitchens, the reportsuggestedagroupsolutioncouldbesoughttomakeorganicsrecyclingmorecosteffective.

12CityofVancouver(2015):Food-Free13VancouverCoastalHealth(2013):FreelowcostandcommunitymealsinVancouver

Challenge:

Manyhousingorganizationsthatoffermealprogramsdependonfooddonations,butgettrappedinasituationwheretheyareforcedtoacceptunwanteddonations,whichincreasestheiroperationalcosts,disposalcosts,andtheoverallvolumeoffoodwaste.

http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/low-cost-food.pdf

https://www.vch.ca/media/Free-Low-Cost-and-Community-meals-in-Vancouver-final-May-1-2013.xls


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Thereportsuggeststhatbettercoordinationandcommunicationamongkitchens,andbetweendonors and kitchens, could reduce foodwaste generated and thus reducedisposal and foodtransportationcosts.Presently the federalgovernment isexploringnewtax incentives to increase fooddonations,taking inspiration from new legislation in France thatmandates all edible food waste to bedonated. However, focus should be given first to establishing effective food distributionnetworkstomanagecurrentfooddonations,beforedonationvolumesareincreased.

“Manysites,eventhosewithpurchasingbudgets,receivefooddonations.Althoughmuchofthefoodisedible,someisnot,eitherduetopestexposureorduetoproductspoilage,andmust immediatelybedisposed.Manydonorshaveanall-or-nothingpolicy,andsokitchensfeelpressuredtotakefoodthataddsheavilytotheirwastedisposalcosts.Manyofthesitesmakegooduseofproductstheycannotuse,relyingonextensivenetworkstoredistributeexcessediblefooddonations.Otherscannotredistributeitaseffectively.Atsiteswherethedisposalofdonatedfoodaddssignificantlytodisposalcosts,staffshouldbeinvestigatingthetotalcostofacceptingfooddonationsandcreatingthebusinesscaseforpurchasingthematerialstheyneedratherthanpayingfordisposalofexcessfood.Oneissuewiththis,however,isthatsometimesfooddonorsofferotherproducts(disposabledinnerware, cleaners, etc.), and refusing to accept donated food can compromise therelationshipwiththedonor.”

- AmyRobinson, LOCOBusinessNetwork Society of BC (2010):GreeningDTES CharityKitchens,(Draft)FinalReport.

“Theproblemoffeedingpeopleinthisregionisnotafoodshortageissue,butratherafooddistributionissue”

-DorisChow,ProjectManager,DTESKitchenTablesProject


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Recommendations:• CommissionastudythatfollowsuponLOCOBC’s2010studytoexaminewaste

streamvolumesandmanagementpracticesinDTEScommunitykitchens,andidentifyopportunitiestoreducewaste.Thisstudyshouldalsolookatpotentialforcommunityorganizationsthatacceptfooddonationstochargeforredistribution,apracticethatiscurrentlyprohibitedinsomecontexts(suchasforNewHopeCuisine,aformerprojectoftheSalvationArmy)butallowedfororganizations(suchasQuestFoodExchange).Thestudycouldalsoexploretheprevalenceofdisposablecutleryanddishesinmealserviceprograms,andhowtoreducetheiruse.

• UsetheStrathconaBIA’smodelofRecyclinginStrathconatoprocureacommunitypreferredserviceagreementwithalocalhaulertomakeorganicsrecyclingmorecosteffectiveforsmallerkitchens.Theservicecouldbeofferedinareaswithhighconcentrationsofcommunitykitchens,suchasintheDTES.

• Explorethefeasibilityofsettingupalow-costfoodterminaltocentralizethemanagementoffooddonationsandtocreateamarketforB-gradelocalproduce.

o Suchafacilitycouldincorporatenecessaryinfrastructuresuchas:vehicledocks,walk-infridgeandfreezerspace,spaceforprocessingfoodintovalue-addedfoodproducts,efficientwastemanagement,andlow-emissionsvehiclestomoveproduct.

o Itcouldalsoprovideaddedbenefitssuchas:hiringlocalresidentswithbarriersforskillsdevelopment,givingpowertokitchenstocollaborateandsaynotoinappropriatefooddonationsthusreducingtheircosts,facilitatethepurchasingoflocalB-gradeproducewhichalsoreducesfoodwasteonlocalfarms,enablegrouppurchasingdiscounts,streamlinefoodprocurementcreatingcostandstaffefficienciesforbothpurchasedanddonatedfood,increaseaccesstofresh,healthyandaffordablefoodforresidentsintheDTES,andsellingdirecttolow-incomecustomersthroughadiscountcommunitysupermarketand/orcafeteria.

o Supportforsuchastudycouldbesoughtfrom:theBCMinistryofAgriculture,theVancouverCoastalHealth,theBCCentreforDiseaseControl,andtheVancouverFoodPolicyCouncil.

o Forinspiration,thestudyshouldlookto:- TheOntarioFoodTerminal,aninitiativeoftheOntarioMinistryof

Agriculture,whopartnerswithalocalnonprofittodistributeB-gradeproduce.

- DailyTableinBoston,alow-costnonprofitfoodretailer,whoresellsdonatedanddeeplydiscountedfoodaswellassellingpreparedmeals.

- TableMatters,anonprofitinNorthVancouverthatengagesinfood-relatedcommunitydevelopmentprojectsincludingpreventingfoodwastebyprocessingfooddonationsintofrozenmeals.

http://www.oftb.com/home

http://dailytable.org

http://www.tablematters.ca


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ASSESSINGWASTEVOLUMES

ASSESSINGSECTORWASTEVOLUMES

There are 634 non-markethousing sites in the City ofVancouver, according tointernalCityrecords(seemapabove for their approximatedistribution). The followingsection provides data onactual and estimated wastevolumesforeachnon-markethousingsector.Notesondataaccuracy:• These measures are

proxies for actual wastevolumes, as volumes ofactual waste disposed ofarelessthanthetotalbincapacity that is providedandpaidfor.

• Recycling service volumesarehighbecauseeverybuildinghasaminimumofthree360literbins(oneforeachpaper,mixedcontainers,andglass),andactualwastevolumesarelikelymuchless.

• DataisbasedonCityhaulingservicedata,andsodoesnotincludewastevolumedatafromotherhaulers.Thishasasignificantimpactondataaccuracy,assomebuildingsmayreceiveonlyoneortwowastestreampickupservices,resultinginabnormallyhighwastevolumesinsome streams. This limitationhasbeenaccounted for in the sectionComprehensiveCityservice, where data is provided for buildings that receive City waste pickup for all threestreams.

Shelters(seetablebelowfordatasummary)

Thereare24sheltersinVancouveraccordingtoanannuallyupdatedlistprovidedbytheGreaterVancouverShelterStrategy.DuringthehomelesscountonMarch10th,2016,therewere1308people counted in shelters including year-round shelters, winter & HEAT shelters, transitionhouses,detoxcentres,safehouses,andsheltersforyouth.• TheCityofVancouverprovidesrecyclingservicetofiveshelters,whichhaveacombinedtotal

of372beds.Nogarbageororganicsservicesarecontracted,sonofurtherdataisavailable.

Map:Distributionofnon-markethousingsitesinVancouver,2015(mapcredit:HoomanShahrokhi).


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• Duetotheverylimiteddataavailableforshelters,weareunabletomakeanyestimatesonwastevolumesproduced.Table:Summaryofwastevolumesinshelters

Shelters Numberof

buildingsservicedbytheCity

Correspondingnumberofunits(beds)servicedbytheCity

Totalcartcapacityvolumeallocatedperweek(litres)

Averagecartcapacityvolumeallocatedperunitperweek(litres)

Numberofbuildingsinsector

Estimatedtotalsectorcartcapacityvolumeallocatedperweek(litres)

Garbage - - - -24

Organics - - - - Recycling 5 372 - -

SROs(seetablebelowfordatasummary)Thereare110SROsinVancouverbasedoninternalCitydata,totaling4406units.• TheCityofVancouverprovidesbothgarbageandorganicspick-upserviceto17buildings,

totaling217units,withcombinedvolumesof10860litresperweekofgarbageand2940litresperweekoforganics. TheCityalsoprovidesrecyclingpickuptotwobuildings,totaling40units,andtheservicevolumeisunknown.

• OfallCity-servicedSROs,theaverageSROunitisservicedwith50.0Lperweekofgarbagepick-upservice,and13.5Loforganicspick-upservice.

• IfallSROunitsinVancouverwereservicedtothesamelevelastheaverageofSROswithCityservice,thetotalweeklyservicevolumewouldbe220,300Lperweekofgarbage,and59,481Loforganics.

Table:SummaryofwastevolumesinSROs

SROs Numberof







Garbage 17 217 10,860 50.0110

220,300Organics 17 217 2,940 13.5 59,481Recycling 2 40 - -

Supportivehousingandnon-marketrental(seetablebelowfordatasummary)Duetoconstraintsonthedataavailable,datasetsforsupportivehousingandnon-marketrentalarecombined.Thereare500non-marketMURBs(includingsupportivehousing)inVancouveraccordingtointernalCitydata,totaling25,621units.• TheCityprovidesgarbagepickupserviceto41buildings,totaling1510units,withcombined

servicevolumesof183,915L.


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• TheCityalsoprovidesorganicspickupto123buildings,totaling5100units,withcombinedservicevolumesof186,360L.

• The City provides recycling service to 366 buildings totaling 20,654 units, and totalingapproximately1866360-literbins,whichtotals671,760litresofservicevolume.

• OfalltheCityservicedbuildings,theaverageunitisservicedwith123.8Lofgarbagepick-upservice,48.0Loforganicspick-upservice,and57.8Lofrecyclingservice.

• Ifallnon-marketrentalandsupportivehousingunitsintheCitywereservicedtothesamelevelastheaverageofbuildingswithCityservice,thetotalweeklyservicevolumewouldbe:3,171,880Lforgarbage,1,229,808Lfororganics,and1,480,894Lforrecycling.

Table:Summaryofwastevolumesinsupportivehousingandothernon-marketrentalbuildings Supportivehousingandnon-marketrental Numberof







Garbage 41 1510 183,915 123.8500

3,171,880Organics 123 5100 186,360 48.0 1,229,808Recycling 366* 20,654* 671,760* 57.8* 1,480,894*

*Note:Theseamountsareapproximateestimates,asafewbuildingsareservicedwithsmallbluebins,andwerethereforearenotincludedinthefigures.ComprehensiveCityservice:allthreestreams(seetablebelowfordatasummary)Thereare12buildingsitesthatreceivecomprehensivegarbage,organicsandrecyclingserviceallfromtheCity,andforwhichthereiscompleteandaccuratedateonservicevolumes.Nineofthese 12 sites are co-op housing associations, and the others are run by nonprofit housingsocieties.• Thesesitesareprovidedwithveryhighvolumesoforganicsandrecyclingservice,because

they likelyhavewell-establishedwastesortingprograms inplace. Actualwastevolumes,especiallyforrecycling,arelikelymuchlowerthanthevolumesindicatedherebecausethetotalservicevolumesarebasedonbinsize,notonactualwastevolumesproduced.

• OfallthecomprehensiveCityservicedbuildings,theaverageunit isservicedwith46Lofgarbagepick-upservice,39Loforganicspick-upservice,and163Lofrecyclingservice

• Ifallnon-marketrentalandsupportivehousingunitsintheCitywereservicedtothesamelevelastheaverageofbuildingswithcomprehensiveCityservice,thetotalweeklyservicevolumewouldbe:1,178,566 litres forgarbage,999,219 litres fororganics,and4,176,223litresforrecycling.


Table:Summaryofwastevolumesinsupportivehousingandothernon-marketrentalbuildingsbasedondatafrombuildingswithcomprehensiveCityservice

Supportivehousingandnon-marketrental,withcomprehensiveCityserviceNumberofbuildingsservicedbytheCity






Garbage 12 257 12,420 46*500

1,178,566Organics 12 257 12,660 39* 999,219Recycling 12 257 23,040 163* 4,176,223

*Note:averagesarecalculatedfirstforeachbuilding,thentheamountsforeachbuildingareaveragedtogether.

OBSERVED NON-MARKET WASTE VOLUMES & RECOMMENDED MURB VOLUME ALLOCATIONS

Both non-comprehensive and comprehensive City-serviced buildings have similar total cart capacity volumes of 230 litres and 248 litres allocated per unit per week. However, the diversion rates are very different, and these two categories cannot be directly compared because data from non-City haulers is unavailable for buildings without comprehensive City pickup service, so there are likely other waste stream volumes unaccounted for in these tabulations (for example, a building that receives City service for garbage may or may not have another hauler providing organics and recycling pickup). However, by comparing data from these two housing groups we can get a sense of the range of actual service volumes in the non-market sector.

In the chart below, service volume data from non-market housing is displayed beside recommended volume allocations for all MURBs; it is important to note that these data sets are not directly comparable because the average MURB has very different characteristics from non-market housing sites, so it is to be expected that their waste volumes are inherently different. However, the stark difference between recommendations for MURBs and actual service volumes for non-market housing should be taken into consideration: a separate cart capacity volume allocation guide should be madefor non-market housing, to support non-market buildings in implementing new organics or recycling services where none yet exist.


*Wherearangeofbinvolumesorunitswasrecommended,themidpointoftherangewasusedforcalculations;assumespresenceofadedicatedcardboardbin,andlowestrecyclinglevels.

WASTEAUDITS

WASTEAUDITOFFIVECITYSERVICEDSITES

Five non-market housing sites that receive City garbage pickup service were selected toparticipateinaMetroVancouverWasteaudit.Theanalysisfoundthat78.4%ofmaterialcouldhavebeendiverted.ThewastewasanalyzedbyTetraTechConsultingattheVancouverSouthTransferStationonJuly7th2016. Housingsiteswereselectedbecausetheyareservicedbyasingletruckroute.Alltogetherthefivesitescontain186units.OneofthesitesreceivesCityorganicspickupservice,butthatistheonlynon-garbagepickupserviceprovidedbytheCitytothese five buildings; it is likely that theydonot contract additional services for organics andrecycling,howeverthisisnotconfirmed.Garbagevolumedataisbasedonservicecontractsandislikelyanover-estimateoftotalvolumesassomeofthisgarbageisputoutinbags.

124

46

95

15

48

39

58

9

58

163 14

37

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Cityservicednon-marketbuildingswithout

comprehensiveservice

Cityservicednon-marketbuildingswith

comprehensiveservice

SuggestedCityofVancouverbinvolumeallocationsforMURBs

SuggestedMetroVancouverbinvolumeallocationsforlarge

MURBs*

Wastevolum

einlitresperunitp

erweek

Estimated cart capacity volumes for non-market MURBs and recommendedcart capacity volumeallocations for all MURBS

Garbage Organics Totalrecycling

Recommendedvolumeallocations,frompublished guides

Actualcontractedvolumeallocations,frominternalCitydata


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Table:SummaryofcontractedwasteservicevolumesfromthefiveCityservicedsites Buildingtype Number

ofunitsGarbageservicevolume(litres)

Organicsservicevolume

Recyclingservicevolume

EuropeHotel NonprofitSRO 84 5400 - -AlexanderResidence Seniorshousing 30 7875 - -RossHouse SRO 24 1260 - -CreeksideStudentResidence

PrivateSRO 22 720 120 -

MountEverestRooms PrivateSRO 26 240 - -Wasteauditresults:• 198.23kgofwastefromloadwassampled,weighed,andsortedinto142wastecategories.• Thesamplecontained:21.6%garbage,19.8%recycling,56.7%compostablematerials,and

1.9%refundable-depositrecycling.

FiveCityservicedsites:toptenmaterialsingarbagebyweight

Bakedgoods(12.9%)

Unavoidablefoodwaste(12.6%)

Smallyardwaste(8.4%)

Compostablepaper(7.7%)

Wholefruitsandvegetables(6.2%)

Platescrapingsandunfinishedmeals(5.3%)

Naturalfiberclothing(4.0%)

Clothingandaccessories(3.8%)

Fines(2.7%)

Packagingbagsandfilm(2.6%)

Other


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WASTEAUDITOFMVHCSITESINVANCOUVERGarbageloadsfromnineMVHCsiteswereanalyzedonJuly5th2016byTetraTechConsulting.Theanalysisfoundthat58.3%ofthematerialinthegarbagecouldhavebeendiverted.• The nine sites are all located in the City of Vancouver: Habitat Villa, Strathearn Court,

AshdownGardens,HeatherPlace,TivoliGardens,EuclideSquare,HemlockCourt,KellyCourt,&SemlinTerrace.Allsitesreceivethree-streamwastepickupfromaprivatehauler.

• 101.76 kgwas sampled,weighedand sorted into142 categories. The sample contained:41.7%garbage,12.8%recycling,45.4%compostablematerials,and0.1%refundable-depositrecycling.

MVHCVancouversites:toptenmaterialsingarbagebyweight

Unavoidablefoodwaste(14.4%)Compostablepaper(12.4%)Platescrapingsandunfinishedmeals(8.9%)Consumablespackagingbagsandfilm(6.4%)Householdtextiles(5.0%)Petwaste(5.0%)Diapers(3.8%)Durableplasticproducts(3.1%)Householdhygieneproducts(3.1%)Newsprint(2.7%)Other(35.2%)

Images:BakedgoodswerethelargestsinglewastetypeintheauditofgarbagefromthefiveCityservicedsites,andthecrewfromTetraTechConsultingsortingthewaste.


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SUMMARYOFWASTEAUDITS

*ThemethodsusedtodeterminedataforBCHousingmaybedifferentfromthemethodsemployedfordataintheprevioustwosets.14The chart above summarizes aforementionedwaste audit data, showing the composition ofgarbagesamples.Inallcases,morethanhalfofsampledgarbagecontainedwastethatcouldhavebeendiverted,with45%-57%beingcompostablematerial.Therelativelylargeportionofcompostable material compared to the smaller portion of recycling is explained by theconsiderabletimeittakesfornewdiversionprogramstobecomeeffective:organicsprogramsarerelativelynewcomparedto long-establishedrecyclingprograms. Evidently there ismuchroomforimprovementinalldiversionprograms,andsomehousinggroupsaredoingmuchbetterthanothers.BoththeMVHCVancouversitesandBCHousingsitesappeartobedivertingmorewastethantheaverageMetroVancouverMURB(where26%ofgarbagecompositionisactuallygarbage15), while the five City serviced sites lag behind likely due to a lack of organics andrecyclingcollectionprograms.

14BCHousingandDillonConsulting(2016):TenantEngagementonSustainability:FocusingonWasteReductionandDiversion15MetroVancouver(2015):2015WasteMonitoringProgram

22%42% 36%

57%

45%47%

22% 13% 17%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

WasteauditoffiveCityservicedsites(2016)

WasteauditofMVHCVancouversites(2016)

BCHousingbuildings(2014)*

Compositionofgarbageinselectedhousinggroups

Garbage CompostableMaterial Recycling

26% oftheaverageMetroVancouverMURB'sgarbagestreamisactuallygarbage(2015)15

Contaminationingarbage79%

http://www.rcbcconference.ca/uploads/3/8/4/1/38412063/3--tenant_engagement_on_sustainability.pdf


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/SolidWastePublications/2015_Waste_Composition_Report.pdf


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RECOMMENDATIONSTheserecommendationshavebeencompiledfortheCityofVancouver,howevermostofthemrequirecollaborationwithexternalorganizationsforimplementation.Allzerowasteprogramsshould emphasize relationship-building among the stakeholders involved. It is only throughfostering relationships across service hierarchies that we can build the trust, sense ofaccountability,andcollaborativespiritthatisneededforeffectiveprogramimplementation.Inordertoreachzerowaste,manyoftheserecommendationswillhavetobeimplementedatsomepointinthenearfuture.Recommendationsarerankedinorderoffeasibilitystartingwiththe easiest to implement at the top, however it is themore challenging policy and systemschangesfurtheralonginthelistthatstandtohavethelargestimpactonwastediversion.SHORTTERM(BY2020)1. UpdatetheCityofVancouverGarbageandRecyclingStorageFacilityDesignGuidelinesto

includeexamplesofwastemanagementbestpractices(seeChallenge5).• AddlanguageandvisualexamplestotheCityofVancouverGarbageandRecyclingStorage

FacilityDesignguidelinesthatencouragewasteroombestpractices,including:o Standardizedcolour-codedwallsectionswithcorrespondingbins.o Garbage receptacles placed to be slightlymore convenient than receptacles for

otherstreams.o Designatedspacesforbulkyitems,electronics,batteries,andhazardouswaste.o Creatingexchangecentresinbuildingstofacilitatere-useofgoodsthatarestillin

goodcondition.o Separationofuser-accessiblecommonspacefromroomwherewasteisstored,by

connectingchutes(“recyclinglounge”concept).o Includeflexspaceinanticipationofadditionalwastestreamsortingrequirements.o Considerations for accessibility needs, especially when dumpsters will be used.

Ensure there aremechanisms tomake them accessible to people with physicaldisabilities,includingramps,orhatchesinthesideofdumpsters.(seeChallenge6)

• Alsoincludedesignguidelinesformulti-streamin-unitwastestoragespace.2. Revisewastebinvolumeallocationguides,forbothCityofVancouverandMetroVancouver

(seeAssessingSectorWasteVolumessection).• Createvolumeallocationguidesspecificallyfornon-marketbuildingsthataresettingup

neworganicsorrecyclingprograms.3. Encouragesocialandenvironmentalprocurementpreferencestobeincorporatedinhauler

RFPs(seeChallenge17).• Encouragesocialandenvironmentalprocurementpreferencestobeapartofallwaste

haulerRFPs,sothatpointsaregivenforhaulersthatcanprovidetheseadditionalbenefitssuchasrequirementstohirelocalworkersandindividualswithbarriers,aswellasuseof




http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/SolidWastePublications/RecyclingGarbageBinMatrixwithoutsinglestream.pdf


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low-andno-emissionsvehiclesandbicycles.Alternatively,RFPwriterscanincorporatea valueproposition at thebeginningof anRFP,with apreference forbusinesses thatemphasizeasocialreturnoninvestment.

• AddlanguagetothiseffectontheCity’s“FindaHauler”webpage.4. Encouragepublicsyringedisposalboxestobeemptiedandmaintainedmorefrequently(see

Challenge8).• TheStreetCleaningTeamshouldestablishaconnectionwithVancouverCostalHealthto

report syringe disposal boxes that are in need of attention, and to encourage morefrequencymaintenance.

5. Create a dedicated Zero Waste Community Engagement Team within the Solid Waste

ManagementDivisionsolelyfocusedonengagingBuildingStaffandResidents.• ResponsibilitieswouldincludetrainingandconsultingwithBuildingStaff,runningpublic

educationcampaigns,andrecruitingandassistingresidentvolunteersinMURBstocreateeffectiverecyclingprograms.

• Theseindividualsshouldhaveknowledgeofwastemanagementsystems,aswellasskillsinfacilitation,coaching,organization,andprojectmanagement.

• ThisinitiativecouldalsobeadministeredandfundedthroughapartnershipwithMetroVancouver.

6. Createaprogramthatproactivelyprovidesfreewastemanagementsystemconsultationto

MURBBuildingStaff,administeredbytheZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam.• Supportforbuildingstaffcouldincludetraining,implementationtools,andone-on-one

consulting,withanemphasisonrelationshipbuilding.Focusareasinclude:o Helping staff to develop waste management plans that bring buildings into

compliance with existing bylaws, including setting up recycling and organicsdiversionprograms(seeChallenge7).

o EncouragingbuildingstosetupwastemanagementplansforEPRprogramitems,hazardouswaste,andbulkywaste(SeeChallenge12)

o Providing materials and guidance on how to educate residents about wastediversionprograms inthebuilding,tohelpthembe incompliancewithclauses5.15and6.7A.4inSolidWasteBy-Law8417(seeChallenge3).

o Proactively distributing free informational flyers, posters and bin stickers toBuildingStaffasneeded.

o Implementinginformationalfeedbackloopstoinformresidentsoftheprogressoftheir diversion efforts and related environmental impacts, through bulletinboards,emails,and-outs,etc(seeChallenges2&3).

o Advising Building Staff on syringewastemanagement and bin placement bestpractices(seeChallenge8).

o Advising staff on waste room configuration best practices, including binconfiguration(seeChallenges9&12).

• Each building would be assigned to one staffmember where they can receive direct


http://former.vancouver.ca/bylaws/8417c.PDF


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supportformthesamepersonwhounderstandstheircase.• Start with consulting high-densityMURBs and buildings that have a history of bylaw

violations,andinformthemofupcomingchangesintheMTIsystem.7. CreateaprogramthatprovidesfreetrainingforMURBBuildingStaff,administeredbythe

ZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam(seeChallenge14).• OfferonefreeannualtrainingworkshopopentoallMURBstaff.• CreatetrainingresourcesforBuildingstaffincludingatrainingmanual,andonlinevideos

orinteractivetrainingwebsite.• Training and support can be directed through organizations such as the BC Building

OwnersandManagersAssociation,theBCApartmentOwnersandManagersAssociation,andtheWasteManagementAssociationofBC.

• Reachouttonon-profittrainingorganizationMasterRecyclerforadvisingonthis.8. Createinitiativesthatbuildmomentumaroundzerowasteideals,administeredbytheZero

WasteCommunityEngagementTeam.• Createacity-orregion-widecompetitionforbuildingstoreducetheirgarbagevolumes

andcontaminationlevels,basedondataprovidedbyhaulers.See“TheMayor’sToweringChallenge”intheCityofToronto,asanexample(seeChallenge2).

• Similarly,createacity-orregion-widecompetitionforschoolstoreducetheirgarbagevolumesandcontaminationlevels.

• Designspecificawarenesscampaignsthatarereleasedannuallyonthesameday,suchasEarthDay.

9. CreateaRecyclingAmbassadorsprogramwithvolunteerresidents,administeredbythe

ZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeam.• Recruitandtrainvolunteerstojoinanofficialcitizen-poweredmovementsupportingzero

wasteprograms.ThisprogramcouldbebrandedasanextensionoftheKeepVancouverSpectacularprogram.Suchaprogramcouldinclude:

o FreetrainingworkshopsforMURBresidents.o AllocatefundingtoprovidesmallgrantstoRecyclingAmbassadorteams,which

canbedeliveredthroughtheexistingGreenestCityNeighbourhoodSmallGrantsprogram. Thesegrants cancover costs suchasprinting, translation,workshoporganization,etc.

o Provide supportive materials to volunteers to run resident engagementprogrammingintheirownMURBs(seeChallenge4).

10. EncourageBCHousingtospecificallyfundbulkywastediversioneffortsforshelters

• Seasonal shelters funded by BC Housing should be required to budget staff time orcontractorstosortremainingbulkywastewhensheltersareclosedtoimprovediversionrates(seeChallenge7).

• Encouragehaulerstopartnerwithlocalnonprofitcommunitybikeshopstodivertbicyclepartsfromhauledbulkywaste.


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11. Aggressivelytargetandreduceillegaldumping(seeChallenge13).

• Installhigh-definition,moveablecamerastoaidinmonitoringillegaldumpinghotspots.• Improvelightingathotspots.

12. Initiateapilotofsharedwastebins,implementedbyathirdparty(seeChallenge10).

• Athirdpartycoordinator(suchastheBCNonprofitHousingAssociation)wouldbeneededtofacilitatethefollowingpilots.TheCitycouldinitiateandprovideindirectsupport.

• Createapilotofcoordinatedwastemanagementzones,whereonehauleriscontractedtoprovideservicestoagroupofneighbouringsites.ApartnershipbetweentheCity,theBC Nonprofit Housing Association, and the local BIA could be established to provideservicestobothbusinessesandhousingfacilities.Suchapilotcouldstartsmall,withjustone full block, and later be expanded to include larger neighbourhood areas. Thefollowingaresiteswherethispilotcouldbeexplored:

o Sitessharingthealleybehindthe600blockofAlexanderStreetandPowellStreetbetweenPrincessAveandHeatleyAve(recommendedbytheStrathconaBIA).

o Currentlythereare43sitesreceivingspecialWednesdaynightgarbagecollectionfromtheCity,duetotheir limitedcapacity foron-sitewastestorage. Manyofthesesitesareinverycloseproximity(seemapofsitesunderChallenge10).

o A redesign of Blood Alley is currently underway, and would benefit from areductioninthenumberofdumpsters.

o Otherareasofhighdumpsterconcentration inGastown,Strathcona, theDTES,andYaletown.

• Implementapilotofsharedundergroundautomatedwastestoragebins.Opportunitiesforpilotinstallationsinclude:upcomingMVHCandBCHousingsiteredevelopments,andthesitesmentionedaboveforcoordinatedwastemanagementzones.

• Considerusing in-vesselvolume-reducingorganicsunits insharedbinpilots, toreducepickupfrequency,andpreventsmellandpestexposure(seeChallenges10&11).

13. Initiate a pilot of community preferred service agreements for organics and recycling

collectionfromnon-marketbuildingsandkitchenswithsmalloutputs(seeChallenges10&19).• Wheresharedbinsarenotpossible,andorganicsorrecyclingvolumesarelow,engagea

third party (such as the BC Nonprofit Housing Association) to coordinate communitypreferredserviceagreementsbetweenhaulersandnon-marketbuildings&kitchenstoenablethemtoparticipateinmorecost-effectiveorganicsandrecyclingpickupservices.Theservicecouldbeofferedinareaswithhighconcentrationsofnon-marketbuildingsandcommunitykitchens,suchasintheDTES.


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14. ExpandtheselectionofwastehaulingservicesofferedbytheCity(seeChallenge15).• Explorethefeasibilityofofferingmultiplelevelsofwastepickupservice,suchascarry-out

services,dumpsters,anda“platinum”servicethatcouldincludeorganicsbinlinersandbin washing. Consider expanding City hauling services to new types of clients asopportunitiesarise.

15. ImplementaCity-operatedbulkywastecollectionprogram(seeChallenge12).

• Implementrecommendationsfromthe2008staffreportonbulkywaste,startingwiththeimplementationofapilotbulkywastepickupserviceinVancouver,withtheintentiontoscale-uptheprogramtoincludeallresidentialbuildings.

o Regular bulky waste disposal days give the opportunity for residents to planahead,lookoutforfreeitemsonthosedays,andgivesthecityaperiodtofocusdeliveryofwaste-reductionmessaging.

• Regardlessof the implementationof a city-wide collectionprogram, considerofferingfree bulkywaste pickup for all non-market housing sites, especially those that houseresidentswithmultiplebarrierswherescavengedwastetendstoaccumulate.

16. Encourage Metro Vancouver to remove syringes from the banned materials list (see

Challenges8&18).• Encourage Metro Vancouver to remove syringes from the list of hazardous banned

materialssothattheynolongerincura$50fineperitem,recognizingthatthesepenaltiesdonotimpactthebehaviourofpeoplewhoputsyringesingarbagebutratherpenalizebuildingoperators.Usersshouldstillbestronglyencouragedtoseparatesyringesfromgarbage(seeChallenge8).

• Inlieuofaban,focusenergyonchallengedbuildingsbycreatinganddistributingmoreeffectivesignage,advisingbuildingstaffonbestpracticesinplacementofsyringedisposalboxes,andimplementingnewinformativefeedbackloops.

LONGTERM(BEYOND2020)17. EncourageMetroVancouvertorequirewastehaulerstocollectanddisclosedata

• Require all haulers operating in Metro Vancouver to collect and provide waste data(weights,volumes,andcontaminationprevalence)tocustomers,andtomunicipalandregionalauthorities(seeChallenge17).

18. Encourageallwastebagstobeclear.

• Encourage haulers and MURB building staff to use clear waste bags, especially forgarbage. This creates subtle anti-contamination pressure and protects the health ofwastemanagementworkers(seeChallenges2&16).

• Encourage Metro Vancouver to explore the feasibility of implementing a bylaw thatrequiresallbaggedwastetobeinclearbags.


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19. Introduce requirements for new buildings andmajor redevelopments to follow waste

managementbestpracticesaspartof thedevelopmentpermitapplicationprocess (seeChallenge5).• Add languageto theexistingBuildingBylaws to requirenewbuildings to followwaste

managementbestpracticesintheirdesigns,similartothewayelectricvehiclechargingrequirementswererecentlyimplemented.

• Consider creating multiple levels of “green design standards” in waste managementfacilitybestpractices,wherebuildingsareincentivizedtoimplementimproveddesigns.

20. Toimproveoccupationalhealthandsafetystandardsforhaulerworkers,worktowards

avoidingdirectcontactwithbaggedgarbagewaste.• New technical solutions should be tried, and automated collection systems should

continuetodevelop.• Binhoppersshouldberequiredforallwastetruckstoavoidworkershavingtoliftwaste.• Wherewasteishauledmanually,maximum180litercartsshouldbeused.

21. EncourageMetroVancouvertostandardizerecyclingpracticesintheregion.

• EncourageMetroVancouvertocontinuetoengageandcollaboratewithmunicipalitiestostandardizerecyclingpracticesacrosstheregion(seeChallenge3).

22. Collaborate with government partners to create a fund for waste management

infrastructureandserviceimprovementsfornon-marketbuildings.• CollaboratewiththeProvincialGovernment,MMBC,andMetroVancouvertocreatea

fund to support waste management program improvements in non-market housingfacilities. Building operators could apply for grants for specific projects,whichwouldincludemonitoringandreportingrequirements.WastemanagementconsultingprovidedbytheproposedZeroWasteCommunityEngagementTeamcouldhelptoidentifyprojectseligibleforgrantsupport(seeChallenge7).

• CollaboratewithMetroVancouverandMMBCtoprovidefreeorganicskitchen-catchersandbluerecyclingtotebagstonon-marketbuildingsuponrequest,andallowbuildingstafftoorderupto10%replacementperyear.Encouragethesein-unitbinsfororganicsand recycling to become standard required items in all living spaces as part of leaseagreements,sothatreplacementsbecomeunnecessaryovertime(seeChallenge5).

23. EncourageMetroVancouvertoimplementpoliciesthatpermitcontaminationsurcharge

exemptionsforspecificnon-marketbuildings.• EncourageMetroVancouver tocreateallowances indisposalban regulations fornon-

marketbuildingsthathouseindividualswithsignificantbarriers.BuildingoperatorscouldapplydirectlytoMetroVancouverforexemption,withspecialbagstickersorprintedbagsissuedbyMetroVancouverdirectly to theapprovedbuildings foruse to identify theirwasteinthestream.Thiswouldallowhaulerstoreduceservicecostsforthesebuildingsduetoreducedcontaminationsurcharges(seeChallenge1).


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24. Supporttheestablishmentofalow-costfoodterminal(seeChallenge19).

• Explore the feasibility of setting up a low-cost food terminal to centralize themanagementoffooddonationsandtocreateamarketforB-gradelocalproduce.

25. Openasmallscaleresident-onlytransferstationnearareasofhighpopulationdensity.

• Explore the feasibility of opening a small transfer station for residential waste andspecializedrecyclingprograms,locatedclosetohigh-densityneighbourhoodssuchasintheFalseCreekFlats.Thiscentrecouldbeahubforrecyclingeducationprogramming,include a free item exchange space, a waste up-cycling design workshop, and be adistributionpointforsupportivewastemanagementmaterials(seeChallenge12).

AREASFORFURTHERRESEARCHThis study is only an initial step in understanding the complexity that surrounds wastemanagementinnon-marketbuildings,andMURBsingeneral.Thestarklackofexistingacademicresearchonthemattermakesevidenttheneedformorestudyonthistopic,especiallyasweimplementnewstrategiestogettozerowasteoverthenextdecades.

• FollowuponLOCO’s2010 study toexaminewaste streamvolumesandmanagementpracticesinDTEScommunitykitchens,andidentifyopportunitiestoreducewaste.(seeChallenge19).

• Moreextensivefuturewasteauditsacrossdifferenthousingtypescouldproducedetaileddatatofocuswastemanagementstrategies.Thiscouldbecombinedwithstudiesthatengageandcollectinputfromcorrespondingbuildingresidents.

• BCHousingandBCHealthyCommunitieshavepartneredwithTheCentreforSustainableDevelopmentatSFUtoresearchimprovementstowastemanagementinsocialhousing.Thereisgoodpotentialforcollaborationandconsultationonrefiningthesetopicareas,whichinclude:

o How to develop long term tenant capacity and concurrently identify effectivedriversforlongtermchangeinsustainabilitybehaviour(specificallyfocusingonwastediversion)amongsocialhousingtenantsinBC?

o HoweffectiveisCBSMwhenappliedtowastediversioninasocialhousingsetting,andhowmightthiscomparetothegeneralpopulation?

o Whatarethemosteffectivedriversforalongtermchangeintermsofadoptionofasustainabilitybehaviorspecificallyfocusingonwastediversionamongsocialhousingtenants inBC?Howcantenantcapacityatsocialhousingsitesbebuiltthroughlinkingfoodsecurityandsustainability?


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ARTICLES,BOOKSANDWEBSITES

AmagerResourceCentre.(2016).Sådansortererdu(“Howtosort”).Retrievedfromhttps://www.a-r-c.dk/privat/saadan-sortAnderson,R.(2015).TheCompassionateSystemsTheoryofChange.Retrievedfromhttp://www.smallanddeliciouslife.com/the-compassionate-systems-theory-of-change/BCCentreforDiseaseControl.(2015).IndustryFoodDonationGuidelines.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/EH/FPS/Food/Food%20Donation%20Guidelines%20Complete.pdfBCHousing.(2015).TenantEngagementonSustainabilityGuide:forsocialhousingproviders;focusonwastereductionanddiversion,Version1.Richmond,BC:DillonConsulting.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bchousing.org/resources/Partner_Resources/Ongoing_Maintenance/Waste_Diversion_Guide.pdfBCHousing.(2015).TenantEngagementonSustainabilityFacilitator’sHandbook:forsocialhousingproviders;focusonwastereductionanddiversion,Version1.Richmond,BC:DillonConsulting.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bchousing.org/resources/Partner_Resources/Ongoing_Maintenance/Waste_Diversion_Facilitator_Handbook.pdfBCHousing.(2016,April7).TenantEngagementonSustainability:FocusingonWasteReductionandDiversion.Richmond,BC:DillonConsulting.Retrievedfromhttp://www.rcbcconference.ca/uploads/3/8/4/1/38412063/3--tenant_engagement_on_sustainability.pdfBCHousing.(2016).SingleResidentOccupancyHotels.Retrievedfromhttp://www.bchousing.org/Initiatives/Access/SRO

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INTERVIEWSANDWRITTENINPUTS

AngieNicolás,MasterRecycler

AnnaDyer,RecyclingandWasteReductionAnalyst,SeattleHousingAuthority

BrianBeck,CityofVancouver

BrianButt,HousingPolicy,CityofVancouver

BrianWong,SolidWasteManagement,CityofVancouver

CelineMauboules,HousingPolicy,CityofVancouver

CharlotteUeta,ProjectLead,SolidWasteManagementServices,CityofToronto

DonnaTaylor,StreetInspections,CityofVancouver

DougSchell,WasteManagementCoordinator,BCHousing

DorisChow,ProjectManager,DTESKitchenTablesProject

GeorgeSimpson,OperationsManager,RainCityHousing

HannaMusslic,LandfillOperations,CityofVancouver

http://cif.wdo.ca/pdf/reports/219/report_219.pdf

https://www.vch.ca/media/Free-Low-Cost-and-Community-meals-in-Vancouver-final-May-1-2013.xls

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.wsra.net/resource/resmgr/Multifamily_Study/Sorting_it_Out-The_State_of_.pdf


JeffWint,DispatchandCustomerService,RecyclingAlternative

JimHeeps,StreetCleaning,CityofVancouver

JordanParente,SolidWasteManagement,CityofVancouver

KathleenBelton,GreenPrograms&ServicesCo-opStudent,EngineeringDepartment,CityofDelta

KatrusiaBalan,ProjectLead,SolidWasteManagementServices,CityofToronto

KennySiu,SUCCESSBC

LauraBarreca,BusinessDevelopmentManager,CleanStartBC

LinhHuynh,CityofRichmond

LizBlakeway,DistrictofNorthVancouver

MartaSanchez-Blasco,FacilitiesManager,TheBloomGroup

MonikaCzyz,HousingPolicy,CityofVancouver

MunicipalWasteReductionCoordinatorsCommittee,MetroVancouver

PatrickChauo,SolidWasteManagement,CityofVancouver

RubenAnderson,Futureproof

SandraMills,SolidWasteManagement,CityofVancouver

ShannonHadley,CorporationofDelta

ShaunMcKibben,CityofVancouver

SherriMatt,Operations,RainCityHousing

SepidehDatoobar,EureteTechnologies


TerryFulton,MetroVancouver

TinaWinberg,TechnicalandEnvironmentalDepartment,CityofCopenhagen

TraceyTobin,CityofBurnaby

UlrykeWeissgerber,MetroVancouverHousingCorporation

And special thanks to Scott and Victor from CleanStart BCfor allowing me to tag along for what was a very insightful day.

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