commercial organics management options
TRANSCRIPT
Commercial Organics Management Options
ENGAGEMENT – OCTOBER 15 2020
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Commercial Organics Management Options
METRO VANCOUVER SOLID WASTE FACILITIES
Sarah EvanetzDIVISION MANAGER PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC
INVOLVEMENT
• Background
• Market Sounding Study Findings
• General Feedback
• Contamination
• Operational suggestions
• Possible Metro Vancouver Commercial Organics Service
• Next Steps
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Agenda
Metro Vancouver:
• Regulates facilities and
encourages organics innovation
and investment
• Provides organics services at
transfer stations:• Yard trimmings at transfer stations
• Small amounts of food scraps
• Municipal organics services upon request
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Regional Organics Management
• 64% overall recycling rate
• 68% organics recycling rate
• Greatest opportunity is recovering organics
from multi-family and commercial and
institutional sectors
• July 2019 Board Resolution:
“ Direct staff to develop a business case for the
provision of commercial organics transfer
services at Metro Vancouver transfer stations
and report back on options.”7
Opportunity – Driving Organics Recovery
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Regional Organics RecycledTo
nn
es
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Sector Composted (t) Remaining in
garbage (t)
Recycling
Rate
Yard Trimmings 110,000 <100
Single-Family
Organics
215,000 50,000 80%
Multi-Family Organics 30,000 70,000 30%
Commercial Organics* 85,000 90,000 50%
Total 440,000 210,000 68%
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Organics Composted vs. in GarbageAcross the Region as of 2018
* Excludes any commercial organics that are processed outside the region
• Explored feasibility of commercial
organics transfer service at Metro
Vancouver transfer stations
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Commercial Organics Market Sounding Study
• Surveyed 54 processors,
haulers and generators
• Conducted Spring 2020
• Many were supportive of supportive of Metro Vancouver’s
consideration of commercial organics receipt at transfer stations
• Some challenges noted with current market:
• Limited drop off locations
• Costs high
• Lack of service consistency across current processors
• Difficulty for small companies to compete
• Limited processing options reduces competition
• Noted that new service in areas without a processor, such as North
Shore, would improve operational efficiency for haulers
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Study Findings – Haulers
• Most are satisfied with current organics service and
ambivalent about Metro Vancouver’s involvement in
commercial organics transfer
• Collection typically contracted out to third-party hauler and
most respondents noted that their current contracts are
reliable and convenient
• Preference that organics be used as a resource rather than
disposed or incinerated
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Study Findings – Generators
• Concerns were noted with Metro Vancouver role in transfer services
• Many stated the importance of a fair and balanced business
environment among processors and high entry cost
• Concerns were noted with organics processing out of region as
regulations are different
• Many noted that contamination as the biggest challenge with
commercial organics stream and add cost
• Several suggested new regulations are needed to address
contamination
• Several support needed for compost end markets
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Study Findings - Processors
• Contamination is key issue for the industry
• Haulers manage contamination issues through visual load
audits at point of collection
• Processors assess contamination through visual
inspections when loads enter the facility
• Majority of processors charge for contamination, some
reject loads
• Education important
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Study Findings - Contamination
• Truck wash area needed
• Preference for third-party operator
• Processing should remain in Metro Vancouver Region to
reduce carbon footprint associated with transport
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Study Findings – Operational Suggestions
Does this capture your perspective on the
market/initiative?
Anything missing?
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Discussion
• Potentially available at North Shore and replacement
Coquitlam Transfer Station
• Resilient service to ensure that all haulers have access to
organics drop-off
• Provided under contract with third party following public
procurement
• Contamination thresholds in place
• Fees and thresholds included in Tipping Fee Bylaw
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Possible Elements of Metro Vancouver Transfer Service
• Cost Components
• Indirect costs associated with the overall transfer station
operation (such as scales, disposal ban inspectors etc.)
• Direct Costs to manage and transport organics (identified
through RFP)
• Pricing Options
• Full cost recovery: direct contract costs plus indirect costs such
as land and overhead
• Direct cost only: costs directly related to processing the organics
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Cost/Pricing Options
Full Cost Recovery Partial Cost Recovery
Opportunities • Levels playing field
• Promotes innovation
/investment
• Encourages recycling over
disposal
• Promotes access for small and
large haulers
Challenges • Higher cost could
drive organics to
disposal
• Could discourage investment by
processors
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Pricing: Opportunities and Challenges
If Metro Vancouver were to implement this service, should it charge full-cost
recovery? Are these the appropriate opportunities and challenges?
• Loads with a defined contamination threshold (likely 5% by
volume based on visual inspection) would be rejected to be
treated as garbage with fees likely consistent with the
garbage tipping fee plus the disposal ban surcharge of 50%
Is 5% an appropriate threshold?
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Contamination Management
Are there any considerations around this possible service we
have missed?
Do you have any other ideas regarding the initiative to accept
source separated organics at the North Shore and Coquitlam
transfer stations to share?
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Discussion
• Additional input to share? Complete online questionnaire at
metrovancouver.org and search “commercial organics”
• Review engagement input and consider options
• Additional meetings as required
• Zero Waste Committee and Board report
• Sign up to receive solid waste notifications
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Next Steps
Thank you