Mb Recycling Strategy 2014

7/25/2019 Mb Recycling Strategy 2014

1/29

Part of:

RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION:A DISCUSSION PAPER


2/29

RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT2

This discussion paper supports the implementation of TomorrowNow Manitobas Green

Plan, an eight year strategy for mobilizing Manitobans to work together to protect the

environment while ensuring a prosperous and environmentally-conscious economy. In

addition to the proposed actions outlined in this document, the province has other

initiatives underway to ensure we protect the environment and sustainably manage our

natural resources now, for tomorrow.

Manitobas goal is to be one of the most sustainable places to live.


3/29

RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................ 4

HOW DOES MANITOBA MEASURE UP? ...........................................5

TARGETS AND TIMELINES .................................................................6

LEADING BY EXAMPLE .....................................................................7

ORGANIC WASTE ..............................................................................9

DIVERT 100,000 TONNES OF ORGANIC WASTE

FULL LANDFILL BAN ON ORGANIC WASTE

WORKING WITH THE ICI SECTOR

MANITOBA COMPOSTS

CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND DEMOLITION WASTE .........12

KEEPING VALUABLE PRODUCTS OUT OF THE LANDFILL

WORKING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERSIMPROVED STANDARDS

LANDFILL BAN ON CR&D WASTE

MADE IN MANITOBA SOLUTIONS

EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY .......................................13

AMBITIOUS RECYCLING TARGETS

PHASE II BEVERAGE CONTAINER TARGETS

TAKING ACTION ON NEW MATERIALS

MATERIAL DISPOSAL BANS

ENCOURAGING LOCAL PROCESSINGBUY LOCAL

IMPROVE REGIONAL RECYCLING SERVICES

INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE ............15

WASTE CHARACTERIZATION

STEWARDING MORE MATERIALS

REDUCING WASTE FROM QUICK-SERVICE RESTAURANTS

RECYCLING IN QUICK-SERVICE RESTAURANTS ANDCONVENIENCE STORES

ENCOURAGING INNOVATIVE PACKAGING DESIGN

HARD-TO-RECYCLE PRODUCTS ......................................................16

RETAIL CARRY OUT PLASTIC BAGS

ADDRESSING OTHER HARD TO RECYCLE PRODUCTS

RESPONDING TO FLOODS AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, AND

EMERGENCIES

NORTHERN AND REMOTE AREAS ..................................................18

WASTE DIVERSION EVERYWHERE

ENHANCING RECYCLING SERVICES

LANDFILL TRANSFORMATION ........................................................19LANDFILL DISPOSAL BANS

FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO LANDFILLS

REGIONAL ZERO WASTE PLANNING

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON BURNING OF WASTE

LANDFILL MAPPING

REDUCING MANITOBAS LANDFILLS

CRACKDOWN ON DUMPING

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO RECYCLE

BENEFITS OF WASTE REDUCTION..................................................22FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

BOOSTING MANITOBAS GREEN ECONOMY

LETS DO BETTER! ...........................................................................26

MEASURING PROGRESS TO ENSURE SUCCESS

MANITOBAS ULTIMATE GOAL ZERO WASTE

ENGAGEMENT ...............................................................................28


4/29


Manitoba has made great strides to prevent and recycle waste.

Municipalities, industries, businesses, institutions and the public

have all embraced waste prevention and recycling, helping to

reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfill. Since the early1990s, Manitoba has decreased the amount of waste going to

landfills by about 15%, while the population has grown by 14%. In

addition, Manitobas waste diversion practices are improving as a

result of the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility

programs, the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP)

Fund, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Support Landfill Levy

(WRARS) and the recent launch of the Manitoba Composts

Program. Manitoba also has one the most successful Blue Box

programs in Canada as recognized in 2013 by the CanadianStewardship Services Alliance - with Manitoba recycling 68.7

kilograms per person.

Year over year, Manitobas Producer Responsibility Organizations

(PROs) are reporting increases in the amount of designated

materials being diverted from landfill sites. PROs are non-profit,

industry associations designated by industry stewards to support

and extend the environmental responsibility to manage

designated waste materials and operate recycling programs.

Over 108 million kilograms of material was diverted in 2012 orapproximately 90 kilograms of material per Manitoban. Successes

for 2013 include:

83,703 tonnes of residential blue box materials recycled from

185 municipalities

13.6 million litres of used oil and 323,700 litres of antifreeze fluid

recovered

INTRODUCTION

3,026 tonnes of e-waste collected for recycling from 57

collection sites

61% of empty beverage containers recovered and close to

40,000 recycling bins placed across the province in partnership

with municipalities; industrial, commercial and institutional

facilities; government buildings; and other public spaces

283,804 litres of paint and household hazardous waste collected

from 21 year-round municipal and private collection sites and 60

return to retail sites

14,713 tonnes of used/scrap tires collected from 1,460 sites


5/29


FIGURE 1 - WASTE DISPOSAL PER CAPITA COMPARISONS

Despite our efforts, there is still much work to be done to make

Manitoba a national leader in recycling and waste management

practices. According to the most recent Statistics Canada report,

Manitoba continues to dispose of more waste than most provinces(see Fig. 1). In addition, the amount of waste Manitobans send to

HOW DOES MANITOBA MEASURE UP?

landfills continues to be above the national average of 730

kilograms/capita, and internationally, Canada consistently ranks

behind other industrialized countries on waste diversion.

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nova Scota

New Brunswick

Quebec

Ontario

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Alberta

Britsh Columbia

Kgs per Capita

Waste Management Industry Survey: Business and Government Sectors, 2010

(Statistics Canada, August 2013)


6/29


Lets aim to cut Manitobas per capita waste in halffrom 840 kg in 2013 to 420 kg by 2020. This is an

ambitious, but achievable goal that will require thecombined efforts of government, industry andindividuals.

OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO BECOME A ZEROWASTE SOCIETY

This discussion paper proposes, for feedback, approaches and

actions that will ensure continued environmental protection in the

following priority areas while bolstering Manitobas green

economy:

o Organic waste

o Construction, renovation and demolition waste

o Extended producer responsibility

o Institutional, commercial and industrial waste

o Hard to recycle products

o Northern and remote areas

o Landfill transformation

TARGETS AND TIMELINES

The actions proposed in this discussion document will produce

the following key outcomes:

1. ZERO WASTE we aim to ultimately reach zero waste inManitoba. Zero waste is also a guiding design philosophy for

eliminating waste at source and all points down the supply chain.

2. CUTTING WASTE IN HALF we can reduce our waste to420 kg/person by 2020.

3. GREEN JOBS about 450 green jobs in the waste sector canbe created.

4. FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE a significant amount of ourgreenhouse gas emissions come from landfills. The actions

proposed in this discussion document will reduce overall

emissions by an amount equal to taking 71,000 cars off the road.

Your feedback on the actions proposed in this discussiondocument will play a critical role in ensuring that weachieve our key outcomes.


7/2977

RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: REDUCING GOVERNMENTS ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

The Manitoba government is already leading by example by greening government through:

Collecting single use and rechargeable batteries and recycling beverage containers in government ofces.

Green Ofce Program creating staff awareness and taking action to reduce our nancial and environmental footprints. Green Procurement using recycled content products.

Parks and Highway Rest Stops establishing recycling and household hazardous waste collection services in campgrounds.

Greening the Legislature providing recycling and composting services.

Banning plastic water bottles in government buildings.

Future activities will include:

Piloting a program that will aim to reduce paper and toner use by 15% in participating ofces. The pilot will be expanded

government-wide by 2015. Piloting a recycling enhancement program in select ofces and developing a strategy for enhancing recycling across

government, including provincial parks.

All waste bins at the Legislature and on the legislature grounds, Memorial Park and the surrounding area will be replaced

with dual stream waste and recycling bins.

Extending the Bottled Water Ban to Crown Corporations.

Eliminating the use of polystyrene food and beverage containers in government buildings and mandating the use of

certied compostable packaging by 2020.

Further investigation and research of a polystyrene product use ban and recycling options will be pursued. Future procurement efforts will focus on elimination of non-recyclable products and the purchase of products that contain

recycled content or are less toxic to the environment.

Starting in 2015, New York City will prohibit restaurants, food carts and stores from selling or providing single-use cups,

clamshells and trays, made from a type of thermoplastic petrochemical called expanded polystyrene unless it can be

recycled in an environmentally effective, economically feasible and safe way. Peanut-shaped packing material will also be

subject to this ban.


8/29RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT8

WASTE REDUCTION HIERARCHY

Reducing or eliminating waste altogether is the highestpreference in the waste reduction hierarchy - Manitobas

challenge is to work towards reversing the current waste profile

and ultimately work towards a zero waste society.

Reduce

Reducing waste is the most cost effectivewaste management option in the long-term.

Re-useThis involves items being used again for the

same or different purposes.

RecyclingValue should be recovered through recycling,

composting, refining, or other processes

where appropriate.

DisposalLandfilling may be needed when other options

are not feasible.

Organic material is the highest proportion of waste materiallandfilled (30% - 40%).

Industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) waste isapproximately 50-to 60% of total waste.

Residential

ICI

CRD

50%

30%

20%

BC Waste Analysis (2006)

TYPICAL CONTENT OF RESIDENTIAL WASTE IN CANADA

organic materials

bulky goods

other materials

recyclable materials

40%

40%

10%

10%

FCM, Getting to 50% and Beyond (2009)


9/29RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT 9

Forty per cent of our residential waste and30% of industrial, commercial and institutional

waste is estimated to be organic material thatcould be composted.

The organic waste we generate is mostly leaf and yard

waste, food waste, and wood waste. Composting organic

waste produces a useable product that can improve the

physical structure of soil, restore nutrients and water to the

soil, and add biological diversity. Compost can reduce

reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation,

thereby reducing energy consumption. Keeping organic

waste out of landfill reduces the production of methane, apotent greenhouse gas that has a global warming

potential 21 times greater than carbon dioxide.

Currently there are 53 composting sites across Manitoba

with the majority managed by municipalities and only

collecting leaf and yard waste. However, two municipalities

also collect curbside residential food waste and six

commercial facilities collect food waste from the industrial,

commercial and institutional (ICI) sector. Manitobas overall

diversion is estimated at 35,000 tonnes, representing 10%of the total organic material generated province-wide.

ORGANIC WASTE

FOOD RECOVERY HIERARCHY

Food waste is organic residue generated by the processing, handling, storage,

sale, preparation, cooking and serving of foods.

Food waste reduction or prevention is a strategy for preventing food waste

before it is created. Reducing food waste through source reduction or

donating to food banks, shelters or as animal feed are alternatives to

composting and should be used where appropriate. Residential as well as

industrial, commercial, and institutional food service providers can adoptthis approach to improve management of this waste stream.

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION - Prevent food waste before it is

created by avoiding over producing, purchasing and preparing, reduce preparationwaste by using all edible components, find secondary uses for excess, andimplement proper cooking and handling techniques to reduce spoilage of food.

FOOD BANK DONATION - Seek facilities that can accept ediblefood for human consumption when excess food has been purchased, prepared,or produced.

INDUSTRIAL FOOD PROCESSOR - Seek facilities that canaccept unused components of edible food for human consumption to create anew food product.

ANIMAL FEED - Seek agricultural facilities or industrial animal feedproducers facilities that can accept food or fibre that is acceptable for animalsbut not suitable for human consumption.

COMPOSTING - Divert food waste to your residential or communitycomposter or a licensed composting facility that can process food waste toproduce compost.

LANDFILL - Disposal of food waste in landfills should only be consideredif all other options are unacceptable for food waste.

Based on the US EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy



OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. DIVERT 100,000 TONNES OF ORGANIC WASTE -

Diversion of organic materials is essential to reaching Manitobasdiversion targets. Manitoba could divert 100,000 tonnes of

organic waste annually from landfill by 2020 - this is equivalent to

diverting over 15,000 garbage trucks from landfill each year.

Diverting 100,000 tonnes of organic waste (60% food waste, 40%

leaf and yard) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste

by 59,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).

2. FULL LANDFILL BAN ON ORGANIC WASTE- Institute afull organics landfill ban from the residential and industrial

commercial, and institutional sectors by 2020. Organic waste is

the largest waste stream in Manitoba. Diverting organic waste

from landfills would significantly reduce Manitobas per capita

waste disposal by 2020 and enable Manitoba to achieve its waste

reduction goal.

3. WORKING WITH THE ICI SECTOR- Work with theindustrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sectors, including

food processors, groceries, hotels, and restaurants to promote

best composting practices; provide financial incentives and otherassistance for composting operations, facility enhancement and

equipment purchases; enable organic waste research, training,

promotion and market development; and enhance food waste

reduction and prevention initiatives. We will work with Green

Action Centre and other community groups to explore food waste

reduction initiatives.

4. MANITOBA COMPOSTS- Incentives offered under the

recently launched Manitoba Composts Program will helpManitobans achieve organic material diversion levels of

85 kg/person, exceeding the Canadian national average of

68 kg/person.

ORGANIC WASTE



FIGURE 2 - TOTAL ORGANICS DIVERTED

-

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

OrganicWasteDiverted(Tonnes)

Year

Year Canada

(1,000 Tonnes)

Manitoba

(Tonnes)

1996 57,677 37,193

1998 110,029 -

2000 98,079 4,398

2002 117,079 16,261

2005 166,915 20,995

2006 200,646 12,490

2008 243,922 -

2010 221,248 19,672

*Canada data is normalized

Canada

Manitoba

Waste Management Industry Survey: Business and Government Sectors, 2010 (Statistics Canada, August 2013)



CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND DEMOLITION WASTE

BUILDING MOMENTUMConstruction, renovation and demolition (CR&D) waste is the

second largest component of the waste stream in Manitoba,

representing an estimated 20 30% of our total waste. Manitobamust pursue the diversion and reuse of CR&D waste from landfill

and proposes diverting 100,000 tonnes of CR&D waste from

landfill by 2020. Regionalized approaches to managing these

kinds of waste can be helpful.

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. KEEPING VALUABLE PRODUCTS OUT OF THE LANDFILL-Provide financial and other incentives for research and initiatives

that demonstrate that there is significant potential to keep woodand other CR&D waste out of landfills. The Waste Reduction and

Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund and WRARS program could

provide grant funding for projects to ensure success.

2. WORKING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS- Work withindustry partners to implement best management practices and

expand recycling of CR&D materials into value added products.

Diverting CR&D products, such as drywall/gypsum board, wood,

steel, concrete, asphalt, and shingles from landfill offers increased

economic benefits and avoids landfill-related costs. We could alsoestablish mandatory recycling and source separation for large

scale demolition and construction sites by 2020.

3. IMPROVED STANDARDS- Expand the provincial GreenBuilding Policy to ensure that CR&D waste is diverted from

provincially-funded building projects.

4. LANDFILL BAN ON CR&D WASTE- CR&D materials couldbe banned from landfill by 2020 this would reduce Manitobas

ecological footprint, while also helping to cut our waste in half.

5. MADE IN MANITOBA SOLUTIONS- Invest in researchand development to investigate, design and develop best

management practices and local processing capabilities to

increased diversion of CR&D materials from disposal.

Examples of Green Businesses that use waste to

create local economic development and green jobs

in Manitoba

Manitoba Producer Responsibility Organizations(organizations that are responsible for managing designatedwaste materials such as tires, oil, packaging and paper, etc.)

invested over $37 million dollars in Manitoba last year toproperly dispose, manage and recycle designated wasteproducts. Those funds are expended here in Manitoba, whichleads to local economic development and sustainable greenjobs for staff coordinators, collectors, depot operators,processors/manufacturers, and the transport industry.

Antex Westernrecently piloted an innovative soil stabilizer forclay subgrade made from recycled CR&D waste in theconstruction of a multi-use trail along Bishop GrandinBoulevard in Winnipeg. The soil stabilizer is expected to

reduce heaving and cracking in the trail, reducing the need formaintenance and repair. Greenhouse gas emissions and landllcosts will also be reduced by replacing raw materials withCR&D waste materials. This pilot project is just one example ofthe many potential innovative uses for CR&D materials such ascrushed glass, carpet bre, bio-bre (ax, hemp) that wouldotherwise go to landll.



Extended producer responsibility (EPR) engages industry topursue the most efficient and feasible waste reduction option foreach material while achieving environmental standards.

Manitobas EPR program is grounded on the polluter paysprinciple by shifting the waste management burden fromgovernments (e.g. municipalities) and taxpayers to a productsproducers and consumers, while reducing the amount of wastegoing to disposal. A products end-of-life management shouldtake into consideration economic and societal costs to encouragemanufacturers to improve product reusability and recyclability withsustainability as the overall goal.

Manitoba has established 13 EPR programs to recycle used oil, oilfilters, and oil containers, antifreeze, tires, beverage containers,packaging and printed paper, farm chemical containers, single useand rechargeable batteries, lead-acid batteries, mercurythermostats, electronic equipment, and cell phones. EPRprograms are managed by a network of Producer ResponsibilityOrganizations (PROs). In 2012 these successful industry-operatedprograms invested more than $37 million in province-widerecycling systems and diverted over 108 million kilograms ofwaste material from landfill. (To learn more about the EPRprogramming in Manitoba, visit www.greenmanitoba.ca/pros/).

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:1. AMBITIOUS RECYCLING TARGETS In collaboration withthe PROs and their industry partners, recycling targets could beestablished for various products to increase recycling by 2020.

2. PHASE II BEVERAGE CONTAINER TARGETSBeveragecontainer recovery is on track to achieve the governmentmandated 75% recovery target for all beverage containers sold inManitoba by December 2016. This province-wide target is basedon typical beverage container deposit-system recovery rates forsimilar containers. When the recovery rate has been achieved,

EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY

Government will work with industry to set Phase II targets forfuture years based on the biggest needs and opportunities at thattime. Conduct a review regarding the management of liquor

beverage containers.

3. TAKING ACTION ON NEW MATERIALS Consult withindustry stewards on the best approaches for managing additionalmaterials through EPR programming in the future. Materials fromthe industrial, commercial and institutional sector, and other hardto recycle products are also candidates for EPR programs (seefeature item on page 14 for details). Future EPR programmingcould help identify opportunities for local economic growth andenhanced environmental protection. Manitoba could also work to

enhance end-of-life vehicle management.4. MATERIAL DISPOSAL BANS Phase-in disposal bans ofproducts and materials currently managed under ManitobasEPR programs.

5. ENCOURAGING LOCAL PROCESSING Develop aprocessing incentive fund to encourage local material processing.Work with Manitoba Jobs and the Economy and PROs to maximizeincentives for local processing of recyclable materials.

6. BUY LOCAL Identify opportunities for Manitobagovernment agencies and crown corporations to purchase anduse locally processed products manufactured from waste such asscrap tires and shingles.

7. IMPROVE REGIONAL RECYCLING SERVICES Increaserecovery of blue box materials by a determined amount toachieve, for example an overall 75% recovery level. Multi-MaterialStewardship Manitoba (MMSM), municipalities, communities andlocal collectors and processors could be encouraged to improveregional recycling services and material handling efficiencies.


14/2914

14RECYCLING AND WASTE REDUCTION: A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT

MATERIALS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FUTURE EPR APPROACHES

The next steps in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) may include the development of new EPR programming for

materials not yet covered in Manitoba. Where possible, these materials will be handled within the existing EPR network to

reduce duplication of efforts. These could include materials identified in Phase 2 of CCMEs Canada-Wide Action Plan on

Extended Producer Responsibility, materials covered by programs in other jurisdictions, and materials that have beenidentified as gaps in current programming, such as:

a) Single use pressurized containers, foam insulation, rellable propane and halocarbon cylinders

b) Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

c) Mattresses and box springs

d) Commercial lights (CFLs and tubes, LED, UHP and HID, and Fixtures, light ballasts)

e) Carpet and synthetic ooring

f) Corded and battery powered products (lawn mowers, vacuums, pressure washers, and blowers)

g) Drywall and wall board

h) Appliances containing refrigerant (refrigerators, portable room air conditioners,water coolers, dehumidiers)

i) Asphalt shingles

j) Small appliances, tools, and sports equipment (food processors, bread makers, steamers,

air puriers, hair dryers, shavers, power tools, exercise equipment and sewing machines)

k) Veterinary products and sharps

l) Medical sharps

m) Agricultural plastics (grain bags, bale wrap, twine and netting)

n) Ink cartridges and toners

o) Landscape and horticultural plastics

p) Disposable food service materials such as single use coffee & beverage cups.

Manitoba will build on the

success of existing recycling

programs by expanding recycling

of blue box materials and single

use camping propane bottles to

all campgrounds by 2018.

Mother Earth Recycling (MER) is a Winnipeg-based social enterprise, whose mission is to provide responsible high quality

recycling services while providing training and employment opportunities to the aboriginal community. MER has identied

the recycling of used mattresses and box springs as a potential business opportunity within its existing operations. In

2014, Manitobas Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund supported a feasibility study for MER to look

at the viability of providing this service. Manitoba will continue to work with MER to develop a mattress recycling operation.



The top waste generating sources in the institutional, commercial

and industrial (ICI) sector include restaurants, retail,

manufacturing, health care, offices and institutions including

schools. Non-hazardous waste materials that make up the highestvolume of waste going to landfill in this sector include paper and

packaging, such as cardboard boxes, food and yard waste,

plastics, metals and glass. To increase the diversion of ICI waste,

we must work with waste generators to identify opportunities and

programs and policies needed to achieve the highest levels of

diversion in this sector.

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. WASTE CHARACTERIZATION Undertake a study toidentify the composition and quantities of ICI waste going to

Manitoba landfills. A study is currently underway to better define

the waste stream composition in Manitoba government buildings.

2. STEWARDING MORE MATERIALS- Expand the materialsthat are currently managed by PROs to include those produced by

the ICI sector. Establish mandatory recycling and source

separation for large scale ICI facilities including malls, institutions,

restaurants, hospitals, hotels and office buildings by 2020.

3. REDUCING WASTE FROM QUICK-SERVICERESTAURANTS- Single use non-recyclable beverage containersand plastic foam take-out coffee cups are a highly visible and

frustrating source of litter. While Canadian companies work to

develop new containers that are more easily recycled and/or

composted, Manitoba recognizes that the responsibility to reduce

waste also lies in the hands of consumers. The province could

INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE

explore ways of partnering with retailers to encourage consumers

to purchase beverages in reusable cups, such as an awareness

campaign; continued work with the Canadian Council of Ministers

of the Environment (CCME) to reduce packaging waste; andcollaboration with industry on improving recycling and

composting of these products.

4. RECYCLING IN QUICK SERVICE RESTAURANTS ANDCONVENIENCE STORES- Manitobans should have the sameaccess to recycling in fast food restaurants and convenience stores

as they do at home. Manitoba could for example, mandate that

fast food restaurants and convenience stores have recycling

facilities in all locations by 2020.

5. ENCOURAGING INNOVATIVE PACKAGING DESIGN-Canadian industry is constantly trying to improve the sustainability

of consumer product packaging while protecting the packaged

contents from damage. Manitoba has worked with other

Canadian jurisdictions through the Canadian Council of Ministers

of the Environment (CCME) and with the Packaging Association of

Canadas PAC Next program, to continue to optimize the

packaging that Canadians see on store shelves. The province

could work with these partners to encourage innovation inpackaging that improves recyclability, reduces waste, and

provides consumers with more sustainable choices.



Manitobans are faced with a dilemma of what to do with a variety

of products and materials that are difficult to recycle. Manitobans

want alternatives to disposing of these items in landfills. We must

work with the public and industry partners to find solutions.

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. RETAIL CARRY OUT PLASTIC BAGS In 2010, Manitobaset a target to reduce the use of retail carry out plastic bags by

50% within five years. Manitobans have made tremendous

progress to date but more still needs to be done. We will work

with industry partners to achieve a higher target for reduction by

2020. While carry out plastic bags are considered a hard-to-

recycle product because they need to be separated from otherrecyclables, there are many convenient and effective options for

consumers to properly recycle carry out plastic bags. Some have

called for plastic bags to be phased out. But what might be the

unintended consequences from phasing out the use of carry out

plastic bags? Many Manitobans reuse retail carry out plastic bags

to collect waste at home. Would phasing out carry out plastic

bags result in heavier household plastic garbage bags ending up

in Manitoba landfill instead, for example? Would the result be

that even more plastic ends up going to landfill? What if less

harmful alternatives are developed? Other unintended

consequences must also be considered.

HARD-TO-RECYCLE PRODUCTS

2. ADDRESSING OTHER HARD-TO-RECYCLE PRODUCTS Consideration should be given to providing financial incentives for

research, pilot projects and demonstrations led by municipalities,

business, recycling centres and non-profit agencies to addresshard-to-recycle products and keep them out of landfills. Many

consumer products are comprised of a variety of different

materials, which present challenges for recycling. In the case of

child car seats, for example, the plastic, metal and fabric

components must be dismantled and separated before the

individual products can be recycled. The public and other

stakeholders have identified a variety of products that they

would like to see recycled, including:

child car seats

plastic furniture and toys

windows and other glass

pie plates and foil

polystyrene trays and boxes, shipping and transport packaging,

and plastic film

video cassettes

CDs and DVDs

disposable diapers.

3. RESPONDING TO FLOODS AND OTHER NATURALDISASTERS, AND EMERGENCIES Work with ManitobaEmergency Measures Organization to develop a disaster waste

management and recycling plan for solid and hazardous waste for

materials damaged in floods and other natural disaster, and

emergencies.


17/291717


SINGLE USE CARRY OUT PLASTIC BAGS ACTIVITIES TO DATE

In 2010, Manitoba set a target to reduce the use of single-use carry out plastic bags by 50% within five years. As

reported by Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM), a 46.7% reduction has already been achieved through a

variety of efforts, including education and awareness; advertising; promotional events; handing out re-useable bags;

and school plastic bag challenges. In 2013, MMSM announced the results of Bag-up Manitoba Plastic Bag RoundupChallenge, a Take Pride Winnipeg! program. Manitoba students collected and recycled 1.3 million single-use carry out

plastic bags. In addition, MMSM residential waste composition studies show consumers are re-using over 50% of the

carry out plastic bags they bring home.

A few Manitoba municipalities have introduced by-laws to reduce the use of single-use carry out plastic bags: Town of

Leaf Rapids (2007), Town of Snow Lake (2010), City of Thompson (2010), and Town of Lynn Lake (2011). Retailers take

the bags back, sell re-useable bags, charge a fee for each plastic bag, offer rebates when you bring your own bag, and

promote compostable and/or biodegradable bags.

Other jurisdictions have taken the approach of banning plastic bags in select circumstances. Most recently, the State of

California enacted a statewide ban on plastic bags in stores of a certain size, beginning in 2015. Stores that offer

customers recycled paper bags or bags made of compostable material must charge at least 10 cents. All funds

collected are to be retained by the store and may be used only for the following purposes: (a) Costs associated withcomplying with the requirements; (b) Actual costs of providing recycled paper bags or reusable grocery bags; and (c)

Costs associated with a stores educational materials or educational campaign encouraging the use of reusable grocery

bags. Additional requirements are set out for certification of reusable bags and mandatory recycling.



All Manitobans deserve access to recycling and diversion

programs. Northern per capita recovery rates for recyclable

materials are lower than province-wide recovery rates because of

the difficulties in getting recycled materials and recoveredproducts such as electronics or end-of-life vehicles to markets in

the south.

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. WASTE DIVERSION EVERYWHERE- Work with partners toenhance northern waste diversion and recycling systems and

develop solutions for getting valuable materials to market. The

province could continue to share ideas with other jurisdictions

through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment(CCME), where northern and remote waste management issues

are a topic of concern. Manitoba will also build upon the work

being done in Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (ANA) communities

and First Nation communities to enhance recycling and

composting programs, set up waste transfer stations, and develop

regional recycling and waste diversion services.

NORTHERN AND REMOTE AREAS

2. ENHANCING RECYCLING SERVICES Make drop-offlocations more accessible and enhance eco-depot systems in

northern and remote communities. Ensure Producer Responsibility

Organization (PRO) program priorities include northern andremote communities and resources are invested in eco-depot

development.



Manitoba could take a new strategic approach toour landfills that will increase resource recovery anddecrease the number of landfills in the Province.

Once waste is disposed in a landfill, it can take years for some

materials to decompose (See Trash Timeline). Waste reduction,

prevention and recycling activities keep waste out of the landfill

and have a positive impact on the local environment, economy

and quality of life.

OPTIONS FOR ACTION:

1. LANDFILL DISPOSAL BANS- Bans could be phased-in and

targeted at recyclable, reusable and hazardous materials currentlyunder product stewardship management, as well other materials

that take up the most space in landfills, or generate the most

greenhouse gas emissions. This includes corrugated cardboard,

organic waste, wood waste and construction and demolition

waste.

2. FINDING ALTERNATIVES TO LANDFILLS- Manitobacould increasingly divert waste from landfill using a multi-pronged

approach. This approach would include the existing WRARS levy,which has created an incentive for landfill owners to increase

diversion of materials through recycling; landfill disposal bans;

complementary programming; and infrastructure to support the

alternative treatment of waste. When viable recycling alternatives

are in place, landfill disposal bans could be placed on specific

wastes.

LANDFILL TRANSFORMATION

Why landfill disposal bans?A landll disposal ban would result in higher diversionrates and increased economic activity for mandatorysource-separated recycling services. It wouldcomplement existing product stewardship programsand the WRARS landll levy program. Moreimportantly, a material disposal ban will encouragediversion of recyclable materials. A landll materialban can also stimulate the development of Manitobabased processing and recycling facilities forstewardship program materials, construction,

renovation and demolition waste and other hard-to-recycle products.

Some municipalities have taken the initiative tointroduce by-laws to ban corrugated cardboard andother materials from landll. Some municipalitiesdiscourage disposal of corrugated cardboard throughpenalties and higher tipping fees. The WRARS levyhas also encouraged more municipalities andbusinesses to recycle old corrugated cardboard and

commercial wastes.


20/29


3. REGIONAL ZERO WASTE PLANNING- Introduce aprogram to assist Manitoba municipalities, communities and First

Nations to develop regional zero waste plans. Several jurisdictions

in Canada have mandated regional waste planning and thedevelopment of zero waste plans. There are several regional waste

systems operating in Manitoba. The provincial government could

mandate waste reduction planning by municipalities and

commercial enterprises. Good planning should include examining

regional and cooperative approaches. A regionalized waste

management service approach would allow for resources to be

pooled and costs to be shared among participating municipalities

and other partners.

4. FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON BURNING OF WASTE -Implement restrictions on burning of waste under the Waste

Disposal Ground Regulation. Burning materials pollutes and is a

barrier to increased waste diversion and recycling of paper and

wood waste materials. New guidelines could be developed to

restrict burning of compostable and recyclable paper packaging

through a new landfill permit process.

5. LANDFILL MAPPING- Undertake a landfill mapping and

data base project of all municipal, commercial and privatelandfills, Waste Transfer Stations, composting and wood

processing sites, recycling facilities, and other waste diversion

sites for public access.

Benefits of Reduced Waste Going to LandfillThe Federation of Canadian Municipalities has identied

the following benefits of reduced waste going to landfill:

Economic Benefits

Fewer landll sites are needed, saving the cost ofcreating new landfills or transporting waste to moredistant landlls.

Diversion creates jobs: waste diversion, throughrecycling or composting, creates more jobs per tonnethan landlling.

Revenue can be generated from selling compost tothe community.

Environmental Benefits

Recycling uses less energy than disposal in a landll andmanufacturing with recycled materials is more energy-efcient than with virgin materials.

The greenhouse gases and toxins generated by landllsand incineration are reduced.

More land is available for agricultural and other uses.

Reuse and recycling conserve resources.

Social Benefits

Reduced landll usage improves quality of life inadjacent communities and reduces the need for newlandll sites.

Less reliance on landfills and incinerators reducespollutants and improves health.

Waste diversion encourages environmentallysustainable behaviour.


21/29


TRASH TIMELINE: IT TAKES TIME FOR GARBAGE TO DECOMPOSE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

6. REDUCING MANITOBAS LANDFILLS- There are 184landfills receiving municipal solid waste throughout Manitoba.

Fifteen are class 1 landfills serving over 85% of Manitobas

population. Our goal is to reduce the number of landfills in theprovince, starting by closing landfills in Manitobas provincial

parks while enhancing waste transfer and recycling opportunities.

Strategic investments could be made to convert landfills into

resource recovery transfer centres or eco-depots that are

more sustainable and efficient.

7. CRACKDOWN ON DUMPING Review regulations anddouble maximum fines for illegal dumping to create disincentives

for improper waste management activities. This could include the

development of a TIP program app for the public to report

illegal dumping of waste.

8. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO RECYCLE - Disincentives toreduce landfill waste have been a key tool used across Canada to

reduce waste and encourage recycling. An escalating, predictable

levy on materials delivered for disposal at landfill sites could be

phased in, starting in 2017 if needed, with 100% of the proceeds

going toward recycling and waste processing initiatives under the

Waste Reduction and Recycling Support (WRARS) Fund. Low

landfill tipping fees are a disincentive to recycling and must be

considered.

2-4 Wks

PaperTowel

Newspaper

Orange orBanana

Peel

AppleCore

CigaretteButt

PlasticBag

AluminumCan

PlasticBeverage

Bottle

GlassBottles &

Polystyrene

2-5 Wks 6 Wks 2 Mths 1-5 Yrs 10-20 Yrs 80-200 Yrs 450 Yrs 1 million Yrs

Information Source: U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL.http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/coastal/documents/marine_debris.pdf


22/29


Recycling and waste diversion result not only inreduced waste going to landfill, but also in otherbenefits that are harder to see, such as reducedgreenhouse gas emissions and green economicgrowth.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

Greenhouse gases are generated when waste containing organic

material is disposed in a landfill. As the waste begins to break

down, it generates landfill gas and causes gases to be released

into the atmosphere. Landfill gas consists of approximately 40-

60% methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and a mixture of othergases. Both methane and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases

but methane has a global warming potential 21 times that of

carbon dioxide. Of Canadas total methane emissions, it is

estimated that 26% comes from landfill gas (LFG) produced from

municipal landfill sites.

BENEFITS OF WASTE REDUCTION

Significant GHG reductions can be achieved through reducing

waste in general, but diverting corrugated cardboard, for

example, will bring greater dividends. For every tonne of

corrugated cardboard that is recycled instead of being burned orlandfilled, 3.5 tonnes of CO

2e are eliminated.

Research indicates that between 40 and 100 kilograms of

methane is produced from each tonne of waste disposed of at a

landfill. In 2013, Manitoba disposed of 960,000 tonnes of waste

at 184 active disposal sites. This translates into an estimated

825,000 tonnes of CO2e entering the atmosphere from waste

disposed.

The challenge of addressing climate change will require that westrengthen the basic component activities that can contribute to

GHG reduction, including solid waste reduction and improved

waste management practices. Shifting public attitudes and

behaviour to establish more sustainable waste management

practices is needed. Addressing waste reduction and recycling as

components of Manitobas overall climate change strategy will

help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


23/29

2323


FLARING LANDFILL GAS

Burying waste in a landfill contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The waste breaks down, producing liquid and gaseous

emissions that can contaminate air and water and contribute to a changing climate. Collecting landfill gas and burning off the methane

in a flare system produces carbon dioxide and water vapour. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions and odours are reduced from the

landfills.The Climate Change Emissions Reduction Actrequires an operating landfill that has 750,000 tonnes or more of waste in place to

implement a plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In Manitoba, there are three such facilities:

City of Brandons Eastview Landll,

City of Winnipegs Brady Road Resource Management Facility,

BFI Canada Inc. Prairie Green Landll (located in the RM of Rosser)

Both Brandon and Winnipeg have active flare systems. This type of system operates by

a series of wells that are drilled into the landfill over a closed cell. A vacuum compressor

draws the landfill gas from the wells in underground piping to a blower where the gas is

blown to the flare, where it is combusted at extremely high temperatures. The systemmonitors the amount, pressure and quality of gas captured.

The City of Brandons Eastview landfill flare system became operational in January

2012 with 14,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) removed in 2013. The

system is extracting about 230 cubic feet of gas per minute (CFPM).

The City of Winnipegs Brady Road Resource Management Facility flare system

became operational in July 2013. The system was installed over approximately 4

million tonnes of waste and flares approximately 1,100 cubic feet of gas per minute

(CFPM). Since the flare has been turned on, over 73,600 tonnes of CO2e have been

extracted. The annual methane destruction is estimated to be 4,600 tonnes of

methane or 97,400 tonnes of CO2e.

The total amount of landfill gas captured at the three regulated sites is estimated to be

195,000 tonnes per year of CO2e or almost 1% of Manitobas total carbon emissions.

In the future, it may be possible to use the recovered gas as an energy source.


24/29


BOOSTING MANITOBAS GREEN ECONOMY

Diverting significantly more waste has the potential to increase

employment and economic activity in Manitoba. In 2014, theConference Board of Canada confirmed that waste diversion in

North America results in job creation and local economic growth.

For every 1,000 tonnes of waste material diverted, two jobs can

be created, and it is estimated that ten times more jobs are

created by recycling waste than landfilling it. In addition to the

environmental costs, there are also significant costs to

government and businesses associated with waste disposal.

Increased waste diversion presents a significant economic

opportunity.

Manitoba will make strategic investments to develop recycling

processes for waste materials and explore opportunities to export

technology to others seeking methods to divert materials from

their waste streams. The green jobs that result from enhanced

waste diversion will help to make us a growing hub for sustainable

development and green innovation going forward.

Examples of Green Businesses that use wasteto create local economic development and

green jobs in ManitobaClearline Technologiesis a Manitoba company that createsproducts such as roof blocks, walkways and solar rack supportsusing scrap tires. The company sells its products across NorthAmerica and employs approximately 20 people marketing, sales,accounting, lean manufacturing and operations production, and

industrial design.

Exner E-Wasteis a waste management company in Manitoba thatprocesses a wide range of electronic and non-electronic equipment

such as computers and monitors, laptops, small appliances,photocopiers, ATM machines, hand/garden tools and more. Allwaste processed is turned into recovered resources such as copper

and aluminum to be supplied back in to the market forremanufacturing of new products. Up to 25 sustainable green jobs(and economic development in Manitoba) have been created bythis green business.

Reliable Tire Recyclingis the largest collector and processor of

scrap tires in Manitoba, using them to make recycled products suchas landscaping products, patio blocks, articial rubberized surfaces

and industrial products. Forty ve sustainable green jobs (andeconomic development in Manitoba) have been created by thisgreen business.


25/29

2525


WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING SUPPORT (WRARS) FUND

ENCOURAGING ACTION ON WASTE

Between 2009 and 2012, the WRARS Program, funded by a $10 per tonne levy on waste disposed in landfills, paid $32

million in recycling rebates to eligible municipalities. A further $5.30 million was paid over this same time period for E-waste

and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection and recycling (prior to the implementation of Manitobas current EPRprograms) and other waste management projects administered by Green Manitoba.

The WRARS program partners with the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund to provide grant funding

and incentive payments to enhance Manitobas waste reduction activities, including:

composting

construction and demolition waste

education and sustainability projects

material diversion pilot projects

training and forums

database development and maintenance.

Manitoba will continue to invest in programs and facilities to encourage new collection, processing, and recycling systems for

all aspects of the waste stream while generating employment. Opportunities to offer additional incentives for new waste

diversion activities under the Waste Reduction and Pollution (WRAPP) Fund and the WRARS levy will be evaluated.


26/29


1. MEASURING PROGRESS TO ENSURE SUCCESS

Improvements can be made to waste measurement and reporting.

To strengthen environmental standards and resource conservation

efforts, more focus will be placed on tracking outcomes,

monitoring and reporting on measurable indicators of progress

and identifying problem areas. Filling information gaps and

improving program reporting procedures and program

performance measurement should enhance the effectiveness of

future Manitoba waste and recycling reports. Reports for 2011 and

2012 are available at www.greenmanitoba.ca/annual-reports/

LETS DO BETTER!

How will we know if we are making progress?

Manitoba will endeavour to monitor and report onthe economic impact of current and future diversion

activities. We will continue to collaborate with our

industry partners and others, wherever possible, to:

1. Increase local processing capacity for waste materials.

2. Develop markets to demonstrate the use of locallyrecovered materials such as compost, tires,

shingles, and e-waste for local end-use.

3. Build the capacity of municipal, commercial andinstitutional recycling facilities to carry out theseactivities.

4. Establish a new funding initiative for processingrecyclable materials boosting Manitobas greeneconomy. Government will work with industry andPROs to develop incentives for local businessesthat turn trash to cash.

5. Ensure that existing government regulations are

not barriers to increased waste diversion efforts.


27/29


2. MANITOBAS ULTIMATE GOAL ZERO WASTE

Manitobas ultimate goal is to become a zero waste society.

Ideally, we would live in a society where nothing was wasted.Increased planning and diversion activities will reduce the amount

of landfill space required. Our first steps are to reach our 50%

waste reduction goal by 2020, while we keep our long term goal

in sight.

Studies comparing the economic impacts of recycling versus

landfill disposal confirm that:

Landll disposal generates a smaller number of jobs than

waste recycling and waste diversion;

Recycling and the use of secondary materials create

significantly higher net value-added jobs at higher income

levels than waste disposal; and

Recycling businesses create jobs closer to home and have a

smaller environmental footprint than businesses that rely on

raw material extraction and manufacturing.

How will we move from where we are today to be less wasteful

and eventually become a zero waste society? We propose to

strengthen and enhance environmental standards, whileimproving waste diversion and disposal practices and operations.

The National Zero Waste Council defines zero waste

as a whole-system approach that aims to eliminate

rather than manage waste. It is a guiding designphilosophy for eliminating waste at source and at all

points down the product supply chain. It shifts from

the current one-way linear resource use and disposal

culture to a closed-loop circular system.


28/29


EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY

We will continue to engage and work collaboratively with all

interested stakeholders, including industry stewards, Producer

Responsibility Organizations, municipal communities, industrial,

commercial and institutional organizations, academics,

non-government organizations, industry and other interested

parties. We will also continue working with our First Nations and

Mtis partners.

Manitobas waste reduction and product stewardship programs

have been built from the grassroots level, in response to public

interest. The programs have been successful due to significant

public participation and a high level of involvement from industry,local communities and non-government organizations in their

design and operation. Without strong action and involvement by

the public we would not have made the progress we have.

All Manitobans will have the opportunity to provide input into this

discussion paper. We welcome your ideas, suggestions and

feedback on plan priorities and options for action. Send your

suggestions and comments about this discussion paper to the

address below by March 20, 2015.

Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship

Recycling and Waste Reduction: A Discussion Paper

1007 Century Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0W4

Email: [email protected]

www.manitoba.ca

ManitobaEcoDepot.caWhether its for a mobile phone, old tires or the paint from

that reno you did last year, our new search tool will help you

find the nearest depot to recycle itanywhere in Manitoba.

Now its easy to search by location or by the type of product

you want to drop off, making us your go-to recycling resource.

Not sure

where to takeyour recyclables?

ENGAGEMENT

Green Manitoba acts as a provincial hub of waste reduction

information. Find your nearest Eco-Depot is a mobile app to help

you recycle. See Green Manitoba at www.greenmanitoba.ca.


29/29

2014

Mb Recycling Strategy 2014

Documents