Waste Reduction For Metro Vancouver

The three and half million tonnes of waste Metro Vancouver generates each year is an enormous amount of waste to landfill or burn every year. We need to take action to reduce waste in our region.

Reducing the amount of waste that we produce will improve our environment by reducing greenhouse gases and preventing further pollution of our air, land and water. Waste diversion also has economic and social benefits through the creation of green jobs and by providing opportunities for local businesses.

To solve the current waste crisis, SPEC calls for an Ambitious Waste strategy for the Lower Mainland. We advocate three main components to this strategy for diverting products from the waste stream:

1. Reducing Waste
   The best way to manage waste is not to generate it in the first place. Buy fewer products and choose items with less packaging.
   
   
2. Reusing Products and Materials
   Re-use products, including bags and containers, repair or donate items to charity and purchase used goods to reduce waste.
   
   
3. Recycling
   Recycle products such as paper, cardboard, metal, glass and plastic through municipal recycling and deposit programs. Dispose of electronic waste through Extended Product Responsibility (EPR) programs. Compost food and yard waste.  Unsure as to how to recycle something?  Visit our Learn pages or the Recycling Council of BC's Recyclepedia or call 604-RECYCLE.
   

While SPEC supports Metro Vancouver Regional District’s vision for a low waste region, we believe a viable waste management strategy should focus first and foremost on waste reduction rather than waste diversion. Currently, Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan calls for a 80 percent diversion of waste from landfills by 2020 and promotes incineration (converting waste to energy) as the solution for remaining waste. 

While Metro Vancouver’s Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan sets ambitious goals, it could better use funds to protect our environment by setting even higher targets for waste reduction instead of incineration. SPEC believes that the regional strategic goal should be to minimize pollution and waste.

Currently, much of that waste that potentially could go into the “disposal” system is recycled through successful deposit legislation that SPEC worked to implement. This legislation is highly successful in motivating the public to return used products to the manufacturer, so that it does not fill our landfills or pollute the air and land through incineration. 

SPEC continues to advocate for expanded deposit and EPR legislation for products including batteries, fluorescent lights (that contain mercury), and other products that either can be recycled or contain toxins and so must be processed in a way that prevents pollution.

Now is the time for Metro Vancouver to focus on reducing waste by promoting existing recycling initiatives and stewardship programs and expanding those programs to include products not currently accepted. SPEC applauds the steps MV has already taken and asks them to invest more in these projects.  SPEC is excited about the City of Vancouver and independent organic diversion programs. 

Metro Vancouver has planned a ban of organics from the single family sector by 2012 and multi family and IC&I sectors by 2015 as part of their Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management plan. However,this does not include the collection of the materials. Metro Vancouver should continue to move forward by investing in the development of an organic waste processing industry and composting programs.

Learn more about how to compost and other ways to reduce your waste on our Learn pages.

Start reducing your waste now.  View Taina Uitto and Deanna Roger's Zero Waste tips.

Achieving a low waste region requires individual commitment to reducing waste and recycling as well as strong leadership on the part of governments. SPEC will continue to work with individuals, governments and industry towards the goal of a achieving a zero waste region.