zero waste committee agenda package - september 18, 2020 · 2020. 9. 18. · zero waste committee...

September 11, 2020

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE

REGULAR MEETING

Friday, September 18, 2020 9:00 am

28th Floor Boardroom Room, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia

A G E N D A1

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 September 18, 2020 Regular Meeting AgendaThat the Zero Waste Committee adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for September 18, 2020 as circulated.

2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES

2.1 July 17, 2020 Regular Meeting MinutesThat the Zero Waste Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held September 18, 2020 as circulated.

3. DELEGATIONS

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment FeedbackDesignated Speakers: Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Services Stephanie Liu, Communications and Education Coordinator, Solid Waste Services That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated September 11, 2020, titled “Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback”.

5.2 Clean BC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update Designated Speakers: Andrew Doi, Environmental Planner, Solid Waste Services Karen Storry, Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Services That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 10, 2020, titled “CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update”.

1 Note: Recommendation is shown under each item, where applicable.

Zero Waste Committee

Zero Waste Committee Regular Agenda September 18, 2020 Agenda of 3

5.3 2020 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Results Designated Speakers: Larina Lopez, Division Manager, Corporate Communications, External Relations Jay Soper, Communications Specialist, External Relations That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 1, 2020, titled “2020 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Results.”

5.4 2020 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign Designated Speakers: Larina Lopez, Division Manager, Corporate Communications, External Relations Shellee Ritzman, Policy Coordinator, External Relations That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated August 28, 2020, and titled “2020 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign”.

5.5 Manager’s Report Designated Speaker: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 11, 2020, titled “Manager’s Report”.

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Incoming correspondence re Encorp Beverage Stewardship Plan Consultation: 2020-2024, dated September 2, 2020

6.2 Outgoing correspondence re Encorp Beverage Stewardship Plan Consultation: 2020-2024, dated September 11, 2020

7. OTHER BUSINESS

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS

9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETINGNote: The Committee must state by resolution the basis under section 90 of the CommunityCharter on which the meeting is being closed. If a member wishes to add an item, the basismust be included below.


Zero Waste Committee Regular Agenda September 18, 2020 Agenda of 3

10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSIONThat the Zero Waste Committee adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of September 18, 2020.

Membership: Froese, Jack (C) - Langley Township Hodge, Craig (VC) - Coquitlam Calendino, Pietro - Burnaby Cameron, Craig - West Vancouver Elford, Doug - Surrey

Fathers, Helen - White Rock Fry, Pete - Vancouver Little, Mike - North Vancouver District Martin, Gayle - Langley City

McDonald, Bruce - Delta Morden, Mike - Maple Ridge Steves, Harold - Richmond Vagramov, Rob - Port Moody


Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the MVRD Zero Waste Committee held on Friday, July 17, 2020 Page 1 of 5

METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT ZERO WASTE COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Zero Waste Committee held at 9:01 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020 in the 28th Floor Boardroom, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Mayor Jack Froese, Langley Township* Vice Chair, Councillor Craig Hodge, Coquitlam* Councillor Pietro Calendino, Burnaby* Councillor Craig Cameron, West Vancouver* (arrived at 9:14 a.m.) Councillor Doug Elford, Surrey* Councillor Helen Fathers, White Rock* Mayor Mike Little, North Vancouver District* Councillor Gayle Martin, Langley City* Mayor Mike Morden, Maple Ridge* Councillor Harold Steves, Richmond* Mayor Rob Vagramov, Port Moody*

MEMBERS ABSENT: Councillor Pete Fry, Vancouver Councillor Bruce McDonald, Delta

STAFF PRESENT: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services Genevieve Lanz, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services

1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

1.1 July 17, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda

Members considered amending the agenda to withdraw Item 4.1

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee: a) revise the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for July 17, 2020 by

withdrawing Item 4.1 John Linder, Air Quality Planner, Parks and Environmentand Karen Storry, Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Services, MetroVancouver; and

b) adopt the agenda as amended.CARRIED

*denotes electronic meeting participation as authorized by Section 3.6.2 of the Procedure Bylaw

2.1



2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES 2.1 June 19, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held June 19, 2020 as circulated.

CARRIED

3. DELEGATIONS No items presented.

4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS

4.1 John Linder, Air Quality Planner, Parks and Environment and Karen Storry,

Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver Pursuant to A1. Adoption of the Agenda, this item was withdrawn.

5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF

5.1 Board Budget Workshop – Overview and Next Steps for Solid Waste Services

Report dated July 9, 2020 from Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services and Dean Rear, General Manager, Financial Services/Chief Financial Officer, providing members with an overview of the 2021 budget process and the Solid Waste Services next steps. Members were provided with a presentation on the 2021 Board budget process, highlighting approaches to provide immediate relief resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, impact to Solid Waste Services, and next steps. Presentation material titled “Board Budget Workshop – Overview and Next Steps” is retained with the July 17, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda. It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated July 9, 2020, titled “Board Budget Workshop – Overview and Next Steps for Solid Waste Services”.

CARRIED 5.2 Solid Waste Services Capital Program Expenditure Update as of April 30, 2020

Report dated July 10, 2020 from Lynne Vidler, Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Operations, Solid Waste Services, providing members with an update on the Solid Waste Services capital program expenditure as of April 30, 2020.



It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated July 10, 2020, titled “Solid Waste Services Capital Program Expenditure Update as of April 30, 2020.”

CARRIED

5.3 Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Monitoring and Reporting, 2019 Update Report dated July 9, 2020 from Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Operations, Solid Waste Services, providing members with an overview of the Waste-to-Energy Facility environmental monitoring program and implementation of Operational Certificate requirements.

9:14 a.m. Councillor Cameron arrived at the meeting.

Members were provided with a presentation on Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility 2019 environmental monitoring and reporting, highlighting quarterly manual stack testing, residual and trace metals monitoring, and Operational Certificate amendment application.

Presentation material titled “Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Monitoring and Reporting – 2019 Update” is retained with the July 17, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated July 9, 2020, titled “Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Monitoring and Reporting, 2019 Update.”

CARRIED

5.4 Waste-to-Energy Facility 2019 Financial Update Report dated July 10, 2020 from Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Operations, Solid Waste Services, providing members with the 2019 financial update for Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated July 10, 2020, titled “Waste-to-Energy Facility 2019 Financial Update.”

CARRIED

5.5 Manager's Report Report dated July 10, 2020 from Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services, providing members with an update on the Zero Waste Committee 2020 Work Plan, highlighting communications on wipes and the use of reusable masks, Bottom Ash Beneficial Use business case procurement update, and changes to the Provincial Extended Producer Responsibility program.



Members were provided with a video presentation produced by Metro Vancouver on the disposal ban surcharge program, which is not retained with the agenda.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated July 10, 2020, titled “Manager’s Report”.

CARRIED

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan Discussion Paper on Waste ManagementReport dated July 10, 2020 from John Lidner, Air Quality Planner, Parks and Environment, Karen Storry, Senior Project Engineer, Solid Waste Services and Lillian Zaremba, Program Manager, Utility Residuals Management, Liquid Waste Services, providing members with the Waste Management Discussion Paper as part of developing Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan.

Members were provided with a presentation on the Waste Management Discussion Paper, highlighting development of Climate 2050 and the Clean Air Plan, proposed goals for improvements to air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from regional waste management facilities, promotion of a circular economy, and integration with the solid waste management plan.

Presentation material titled “Waste Management Discussion Paper – Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan” is retained with the July 17, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda.

It was MOVED and SECONDED That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the following Information Item: 6.1 Climate 2050 and Clean Air Plan Discussion Paper on Waste Management.

CARRIED

7. OTHER BUSINESSNo items presented.

8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONSNo items presented.

9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETINGNo items presented.



10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION

It was MOVED and SECONDEDThat the Zero Waste Committee conclude its regular meeting of July 17, 2020.

CARRIED (Time: 9:47 a.m.)

____________________________ ____________________________ Genevieve Lanz, Jack Froese, Chair Legislative Services Coordinator

40381872 FINAL


5.1

40875593

To: Zero Waste Committee

From: Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Services Stephanie Liu, Communications and Education Coordinator, Solid Waste Services

Date: September 11, 2020 Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

Subject: Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback

RECOMMENDATION That the GVS&DD Board receive for information the report dated September 11, 2020, titled “Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback”.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate includes a reduction in emission limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride by December 2022. Dispersion modelling and a health risk assessment showed that at current emission levels, hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to meet air quality objectives and not result in a public health risk. Metro Vancouver applied to the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to amend the Operational Certificate deferring the emission limit reduction to March 2025 to allow for additional monitoring.

Newspaper advertisements are required as part of the provincial process to consider Operational Certificate amendments. In addition to newspaper advertisements, over 750 notifications were sent to waste management stakeholders, municipalities, adjacent regional districts, adjacent properties and First Nations. Three organizations responded expressing concerns and one organization requested additional information. This report summarizes all feedback and Metro Vancouver’s responses and will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration.

PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of feedback received regarding the Waste-to-Energy Facility proposed Operational Certificate amendment.

BACKGROUND The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy issued the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate under the provisions of the Environmental Management Act on December 15, 2016. Metro Vancouver applied for an amendment to the Operational Certificate, and on March 9, 2020 the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy issued a notice of intent to issue an amended Operational Certificate pending publication of an approved notice in the Vancouver Sun and The Province providing an opportunity for public comment, pursuant to the Environmental Management Act and Public Notification Regulation. Notices were published in the Vancouver Sun and The Province on June 25 and July 6, 2020. In addition, letters or emails were sent to First Nations with interests in the region, member municipalities, adjacent regional districts, properties adjacent


Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

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to the facility, and a database of waste industry stakeholders, describing the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendments to the Operational Certificate. Updates were provided to the Zero Waste Committee and Board throughout the process, advising of the application to amend the Operational Certificate and intent to notify First Nations and stakeholders of the opportunity to provide feedback:

• November 15, 2019 Zero Waste Committee – Manager’s Report • April 15, 2020 Finance and Intergovernment Committee – Manager’s Report (Zero Waste

Committee members were notified via email) • July 17, 2020 Zero Waste Committee – report dated July 9, 2020, titled “Waste-to-Energy

Facility Environmental Monitoring and Reporting, 2019 Update” This report provides all feedback received regarding the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment along with Metro Vancouver’s responses to the feedback. OPERATIONAL CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT The proposed amendment to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate would defer the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025, and clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. Dispersion modelling and a health risk assessment showed that at current Operational Certificate emission levels, hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to meet air quality objectives and do not result in a public health risk. Delaying the reduction of limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride would allow for further air monitoring to confirm ambient concentrations. Metro Vancouver installed new ambient air quality monitoring equipment at the Waste-to-Energy Facility site and at the existing Burnaby South Monitoring Station. This will allow Metro Vancouver to compare ambient levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride with dispersion modelling results and ambient air quality objectives over the next 2 years, including a 3rd party review, and report all monitoring data annually to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. This additional ambient air quality monitoring data will also be available on the Metro Vancouver website. The amendment would also clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. Engagement and Feedback Metro Vancouver received feedback on the proposed amendment to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate between June and August 2020. A summary of notices issued is provided in the table below. Information was also published on the Metro Vancouver website, including a black-lined version of the draft amended Operational Certificate and copies of the Air Dispersion Modelling Study and Public Health Risk Assessment.



Page 3 of 6

Format Audience Number of recipients

Date Issued

Email • Waste hauling industry • Boards of Trade, Chambers of

Commerce, Business Improvement Associations

• Metro Vancouver Solid Waste subscriber database

• Environmental NGOs • Member municipalities • Adjacent regional districts

664 June 4, 2020

Letter Tenants and owners of properties adjacent to and within approximately 300m of the Waste-to-Energy Facility property boundary

55 June 3, 2020

Letter via email, and Follow-up Phone Calls

First Nations with interests in the region based on the provincial government’s First Nations Consultative Areas Database

45 Letters: June 17 and July 22, 2020 Phone calls: July 31 to August 10, 2020

Newspaper ad

Public (Vancouver Sun and The Province)

N/A June 25 and July 6, 2020

Metro Vancouver received responses from four entities: Leq’á:mel First Nation, Fraser Health Authority, Zero Waste Canada/BC and Fraser Valley Regional District. Three of the entities expressed concerns about the proposed amendment and one requested more information. Feedback is summarized in the table below.

Category Format Summary of Feedback Organization Name

Feedback expressing concern and requesting more information

Letter via email

• interest in receiving more information to understand potential health impacts

• concern that the amendment would allow air emissions to continue within the sensitive Fraser Valley air shed

Leq’a:mel First Nation

Request for more information and suggestions

Email • request for evidence that deferral of reduction of discharge limits is not expected to lead to exceedances of BC Ambient Air Quality Objectives in the local/regional environment;

• request for more information on any air quality objective exceedances over the past several years potentially attributed to the Waste-to-Energy Facility

Fraser Health Authority



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• request for information on waste screening practices and maintenance

• request for information on odour management and communication

Feedback expressing concern

Letter via email

• position that there should not be a delay in reduction of discharge limits

• position that the proposed changes to the definition of a shut-down would weaken reporting and other activities designed to limit pollutants being released

Zero Waste Canada and Zero Waste BC

Feedback expressing concern

Letter via email

• comment that the reduced discharge limit for sulphur dioxide is in line with industry standard

• concern about the proposed deferral of reduction of discharge limits

• concern about interpretation of the air dispersion modelling study and public health impact assessment

• comment that the additional air quality monitoring data should be made available to stakeholders

• concern about the impact of proposed changes on the duration and frequency of start-up and shut-down events

• request that emissions during start-up and shut-down events be included in emission reporting

Fraser Valley Regional District

Metro Vancouver Responses to Feedback Responses to the feedback were sent to each organization, including information about:

• Metro Vancouver’s commitment to advancing zero waste in the region; • Waste-to-Energy Facility environmental performance, including emissions monitoring and

reporting, and capital investments in emission reduction technology and other operational improvements;

• dispersion modelling and new ambient air quality monitoring equipment; • details on the reporting of start-up and shut-down periods; • the Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitoring Network; • historic ambient air quality monitoring data; • odour management and communication; and • screening of incoming waste and frequency of maintenance.

Metro Vancouver responses specifically related to the proposed Operational Certificate amendment are provided below, and the full response letters are included in Attachment 1.



Page 5 of 6

Proposed Deferral of Reduction of Discharge Limits for Hydrogen Chloride and Sulphur Dioxide The dispersion modelling completed by Metro Vancouver’s independent consultants demonstrated that at current emission levels, the location with the highest expected concentrations of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are within the area immediately surrounding the Waste-to-Energy Facility. In this area, the dispersion modelling predicted sulphur dioxide concentrations under all operating scenarios are within the Metro Vancouver 1-hour ambient objective for greater than 99.9% of all hours in any year modelled. The study results are available on Metro Vancouver’s website (go to metrovancouver.org and search “Operational Certificate Amendment”). Metro Vancouver has installed and is currently operating a new air quality monitoring station at the Waste-to-Energy Facility near the location of highest expected concentrations of emissions from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The new monitoring station measures sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride. An additional new hydrogen chloride monitor is operating at the Burnaby South Air Quality Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver has not previously monitored hydrogen chloride at any of its monitoring stations, and as such learnings from this study will be important for future regional air monitoring efforts as well as general advancement in monitoring technology.

These monitors, like any instruments in the network, will be subject to audits, calibrations and quality control and assurance procedures, and will confirm ambient levels of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide for comparison to ambient air quality objectives over the next 2 years. This additional ambient air quality monitoring data will undergo a 3rd party review, will be reported annually to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and will be available on the Metro Vancouver website.

Clarifying Criteria for Defining Start-up and Shut-down Periods As one of the requirements of the Operational Certificate, to improve combustion characteristics and reduce emissions during start-up and shut-down periods, the auxiliary gas burners at the Waste-to-Energy Facility were upgraded in 2018. With the updated auxiliary gas burners, there are operational scenarios where start-up and shut-down does not follow the sequence outlined in the Operational Certificate due to operational and safety reasons.

Under the current Operational Certificate wording, these operational scenarios are reported within 30 days as non-compliances. The amendment would clarify the criteria for defining non-compliance related to start-up and shut-down events. All start-up and shut-down events are provided in the monthly operational reports, with the same information and level of detail as provided in the non-compliance reports. Under the proposed amendment, these scenarios would no longer be separately reported as non-compliance events. They would continue to be reported as start-up and shut-down events in the monthly operational reports, with the same level of detail as is currently provided, along with all other start-up and shut-down events. The proposed amendment would not affect the duration or frequency of start-up and shut-down periods at the facility, but simply ensure that only true non-compliance events would be reported as non-compliances.

All written feedback received and Metro Vancouver’s responses are attached and will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/engagement/waste-to-energy-operating-certificate/Pages/default.aspx


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ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Metro Vancouver has allocated $41 million in the capital plan in 2021 and 2022 to accommodate the reduction in discharge limits for hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide. Deferral of the reduction limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride would result in the capital plan being updated to reflect the updated emission reduction schedule. CONCLUSION Metro Vancouver applied to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to amend the Waste-to-Energy Operational Certificate. As required by the Ministry, Metro Vancouver published a notice in two local newspapers to provide an opportunity for public comment. The draft amended Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate was posted on the Metro Vancouver website and information was shared with 750 contacts, including First Nations with interests in the Metro Vancouver region, properties adjacent to the facility, member municipalities, adjacent regional districts and a database of waste management stakeholders. Comments were received from four organizations – three expressing concerns about the proposed amendment and one requesting more information. All feedback and Metro Vancouver responses are attached, and this report will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration. Attachments (Orbit # 40917209) 1. Feedback Received and Metro Vancouver Responses on the Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed

Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback 2. Notifications on the Waste-to-Energy Facility Proposed Operational Certificate Amendment

Feedback 40875593


File: CP-16-01

August 11, 2020

Metro Vancouver 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby BC V5H 0C6

Re: Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment

Dear Sav Dhaliwal,

Thank you for the acknowledgement of Leq’á:mel First Nation Title, Rights and Interests as protected in Section 25 and 35 of the Canada Constitution Act, 1982. Leq’á:mel appreciates and looks forward to having open and transparent discussions that take into account the Articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the ten guiding principles the federal and provincial governments have established for themselves, that guides their relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

We are in receipt of the referral letter regarding the above-mentioned proposal to amend the certificate that pertains to deferring the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride from the period Dec. 31st, 2022 to March 3rd, 2025 and to clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. We need to have the discussion of capacity to review referrals such as this and understand that it takes time to review and research technical data to be able to make appropriate comments. In some cases our perspectives, values and interests may not necessarily align with that of industry and we may need expert opinions to help guide us to make an informed decision with respect to applications of this nature. We often are subject to abnormal pollution in the Fraser Valley that stems from Metro Vancouver and Vancouver as well as Seattle that affects our health in the short and long term, this is something we must consider when facilities such as this one are operating. We understand that the emissions related to operating a facility like this have detrimental effects to the respiratory system. Even though there are positive components to operating a facility such as this can you provide us with the quality assurance that this application to amend the certificate is in the best interests of our people?

______________________________________ Justin Laslo Natural Resource Department – Referral Officer Leq’á:mel First Nation

Leq’á:mel First NationNatural Resource Department

43101 Leq’á:mel Way, DerocheBC V0M 1G0

(604) 826-7976www.leqamel.ca

ATTACHMENT 1


http://www.leqamel.ca/

Solid Waste Services Tel. 604-432-6400 Fax 604 451-6180

September 11, 2020 File: PE-13-01-SW

Mr. Justin Laslo, Referral Officer Natural Resource Department Leq’á:mel First Nation 43101 Leq’á:mel Way Deroche, BC V0M 1G0

VIA EMAIL:

Dear Mr. Laslo:

Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment Feedback

Thank you for your letter, dated August 11, 2020, providing feedback regarding the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. We hope that this letter helps to address your questions.

Metro Vancouver’s Commitment to Advancing Zero Waste

Metro Vancouver is among the most successful jurisdictions in North America in reducing municipal solid waste, having met a goal of reducing per capita waste generation by 10%, recycling 64% of waste generated, and disposing of only 0.48 tonnes per capita in 2018. This has been achieved through collaboration and operational, educational and policy initiatives, including reducing waste at the source, improving the disposal ban program, enhancing recycling services available at Metro Vancouver’s solid waste facilities, and partnering with like-minded entities to increase opportunities to reduce waste and recycle. In additional to local actions, Metro Vancouver works at a national level through the National Zero Waste Council. The National Zero Waste Council is a leadership initiative of Metro Vancouver, bringing together organizations to advance waste prevention in Canada and the transition to a circular economy.

After all efforts to reduce and recycle materials, any remaining garbage is sent to disposal facilities, including the Waste-to-Energy Facility which recovers 7,000 tonnes of metal per year and provides enough energy to power approximately 16,000 homes. In 2018, Metro Vancouver invested more than $6 million at the Waste-to-Energy Facility to recover non-ferrous and additional ferrous metals. As a result of the investment, approximately 500 tonnes of non-ferrous metals and an additional 500 tonnes of ferrous metals are recovered each year resulting in an estimated 2,000 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas emission offsets through the replacement of mined metals.


Justin Laslo, Leq’á:mel First Nation Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment

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Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Performance

Metro Vancouver is continually working to improve environmental performance and reduce emissions at the Waste-to-Energy Facility through assessment and improvement of operations, plant infrastructure and environmental controls. Metro Vancouver has invested over $40 million in the past 10 years in emission reduction technology and operational improvements. A nitrogen oxides reduction project, completed in 2015, reduced average nitrogen oxides emissions by more than 50%. The facility now accounts for less than 0.5% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the region. The continuous emissions monitoring system was upgraded in 2018 to include advanced monitoring of hydrogen chloride and total organic carbon. To increase transparency, continuous emissions monitoring data is now available on the Metro Vancouver website. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility is one of only a handful of facilities in North America that publish continuous emissions monitoring data. With respect to sulphur dioxide emissions, efforts have focused on minimizing gypsum in the waste stream including introduction of a separate residential used gypsum disposal program, as combustion of gypsum produces sulphur dioxide. Overall, ambient air sulphur dioxide concentrations in the region have reduced dramatically in recent years, primarily due to reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions from marine sources. Metro Vancouver reports annually on the environmental performance of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The most recent report is available as part of the July 2020 Zero Waste Committee Agenda (Item 5.3) at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jul-17_AGE.pdf.

The report highlights the excellent environmental performance of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Fine particulate matter from the facility only accounts for 0.012% of fine particulate matter emissions in the region.

We would be happy to meet with you to discuss any suggestions you may have for additional emission or ambient monitoring for the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Proposed Deferral of Reduction of Discharge Limits for Hydrogen Chloride and Sulphur Dioxide

The dispersion modelling completed by Metro Vancouver’s independent consultants demonstrated that at current emission levels, the location with the highest expected concentrations of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are within the area immediately surrounding the Waste-to-Energy Facility. In this area, the dispersion modelling predicted sulphur dioxide concentrations under all operating scenarios are within the Metro Vancouver 1-hour ambient objective for greater than 99.9% of all hours in any year modelled. The study results are available on Metro Vancouver’s website (go to metrovancouver.org and search “Operational Certificate Amendment”).


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/wte-and-disposal/waste-to-energy-facility/environmental-monitoring/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jul-17_AGE.pdf



Page 3 of 4

Metro Vancouver has installed and is currently operating a new air quality monitoring station at the Waste-to-Energy Facility near the location of highest expected concentrations of emissions from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The new monitoring station measures sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride. An additional new hydrogen chloride monitor is operating at the Burnaby South Air Quality Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver has not previously monitored hydrogen chloride at any of its monitoring stations, and as such learnings from this study will be important for future regional air monitoring efforts as well as general advancement in monitoring technology.

These monitors, like all instruments in the network, will be subject to audits, calibrations and quality control and assurance procedures, and will confirm ambient levels of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide for comparison to ambient air quality objectives over the next 2 years. This additional ambient air quality monitoring data will undergo a 3rd party review, will be reported annually to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and will be available on the Metro Vancouver website.

Capacity Funding to Review Referrals

Your letter also included reference to capacity funding to review referrals. Thank you for mentioning this request in your letter. Our capacity funding policy is currently under review by senior management, which will likely take to the end of this year to complete, so we are unable to offer any such funding at this time. I will be forwarding your request on to my senior management colleagues who are involved in reviewing Metro Vancouver’s policy. In due course, if there are any changes to our policy as a result of this ongoing review, we will be sure to let you know. In the meantime, our organization does make its staff available to present and answer any questions about our projects and initiatives.

Reporting to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Zero Waste Committee and Metro Vancouver Board

Your letter and this response will be included in a report summarizing feedback on the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. The report will be included in the September 18, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda. You may apply to speak to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board on the proposed Operational Certificate amendment by contacting the Board and Information Services department at [email protected]. The application requirements are available at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/delegations/Pages/default.aspx. Those speaking to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board must appear in-person and adhere to the strict health protocols and precautions implemented by Metro Vancouver. Following reporting to the Zero Waste Committee and the GVS&DD Board, your letter, this response letter and the report to the Zero Waste Committee will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration.


http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/delegations/Pages/default.aspx


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I welcome the opportunity for continuing our discussion and sharing our perspectives on this and any other solid waste initiative. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 604-432-6400 if you have any additional questions or would like a Metro Vancouver staff person topresent and answer any questions about our projects or initiatives.

Yours truly,

Paul Henderson, P.Eng. General Manager, Solid Waste Services

PH/sl

cc: Luc Lachance, Section Head – Solid Waste, Authorizations South, Regional Operations Branch, Environmental Protection Division, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Marino Piombini, Program Manager, Indigenous Relations, Metro Vancouver

40758127


From: Krstic, Goran [FH] Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 11:39 AMTo: Brent Kirkpatrick ; Metro Vancouver - Solid Waste ; '[email protected]' Cc:

Subject: RE: Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051Hello Brent,Thank you for the invitation to provide comments on Metro Vancouver’s application for an amendment to the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility Operational Certificate to defer the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025, and to clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting.Provided that the current WTE facility emissions of all identified air contaminants of potential concern (COPC) are in accordance with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MECCS) requirements, evidenceshould be provided that the proposed deferral of the reduction in discharge limits for SO2 and HCl are not

expected to lead to exceedances of the BC Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAQO) for these air contaminants in the local/regional environment.Could you please also let us know if there were any BC AAQO exceedances in the local/regional environment overthe past several years, which could potentially be attributed to air emissions of SO2, HCl and/or other air COPCs from the WTE facility in Burnaby?The WTE facility may need to implement additional screening of the waste received and an increased frequency of regular maintenance to reduce emissions of the identified COPCs.Considering potential emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from this facility in the local/regional environment, Metro Vancouver should have an odour management and communication plan in place to control emissions and inform the local communities if odours are detected beyond the property boundary.RegardsGoran_________________________________________Dr. Goran Krstic, B.Sc., Ph.D., R.P.Bio.Human Health Risk Assessment SpecialistFraser Health AuthorityEnvironmental Health Services

Tel.: e-Mail: Webpage: www.fraserhealth.ca


mailto:[email protected]


http://www.fraserhealth.ca/












Dr. Goran Krstić, Human Health Risk Assessment Specialist Fraser Health Authority #218 – 610 Sixth Street New Westminster, BC V3L 3C2

VIA EMAIL:

Dear Dr. Krstić:

Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051

Thank you for your email on July 20, 2020 regarding the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. We hope that this letter helps to address the questions posed in your letter.


Metro Vancouver is continually working to improve environmental performance and reduce emissions at the Waste-to-Energy Facility through assessment and improvement of operations, plant infrastructure and environmental controls. Metro Vancouver has invested over $40 million in the past 10 years in emission reduction technology and operational improvements. A nitrogen oxides reduction project, completed in 2015, reduced average nitrogen oxides emissions by more than 50%. The facility now accounts for less than 0.5% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the region.

The continuous emissions monitoring system was upgraded in 2018 to include advanced monitoring of hydrogen chloride and total organic carbon. To increase transparency, continuous emissions monitoring data is now available on the Metro Vancouver website. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility is one of only a handful of facilities in North America that publish continuous emissions monitoring data.

With respect to sulphur dioxide emissions, efforts have focused on minimizing gypsum in the waste stream including introduction of a separate residential used gypsum disposal program, as combustion of gypsum produces sulphur dioxide. Overall, ambient air sulphur dioxide concentrations in the region have reduced dramatically in recent years, primarily due to reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions from marine sources.



Dr. Goran Krstić, Fraser Health Authority Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051

Page 2 of 4

Metro Vancouver reports annually on the environmental performance of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The most recent report is available as part of the July 2020 Zero Waste Committee Agenda (Item 5.3) at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jul-17_AGE.pdf.


We would be happy to meet with you to discuss any suggestions you may have for additional emission or ambient monitoring for the Waste-to-Energy Facility.

Proposed Deferral of Reduction of Discharge Limits for Hydrogen Chloride and Sulphur Dioxide

The dispersion modelling completed by Metro Vancouver’s independent consultants demonstrated that at current emission levels, the location with the highest expected concentrations of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are within the area immediately surrounding the Waste-to-Energy Facility. In this area, the dispersion modelling predicted sulphur dioxide concentrations under all operating scenarios are within the Metro Vancouver 1-hour ambient objective for greater than 99.9% of all hours in any year modelled. The study results are available on Metro Vancouver’s website (go to metrovancouver.org and search “Operational Certificate Amendment”). Metro Vancouver has installed and is currently operating a new air quality monitoring station at the Waste-to-Energy Facility near the location of highest expected concentrations of emissions from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The new monitoring station measures sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride. An additional new hydrogen chloride monitor is operating at the Burnaby South Air Quality Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver has not previously monitored hydrogen chloride at any of its monitoring stations, and as such learnings from this study will be important for future regional air monitoring efforts as well as general advancement in monitoring technology.


Historic Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Data

Section 3.1 of the air quality dispersion modelling report, conducted by HDR/RWDI, discusses measured sulphur dioxide concentration from Metro Vancouver’s Burnaby South (T18) ambient air quality monitoring station, shown in Table 3-2. This station measures ambient sulphur dioxide from a variety of sources, and it is not possible to determine the specific contribution from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. However, this station is located near the facility and was specifically sited as a result of previous dispersion modelling conducted for the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Sulphur dioxide data





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from 2013 to 2019 demonstrates that there were no exceedances of any sulphur dioxide ambient air quality objectives at the Burnaby South station.

With respect to stack discharges, the Waste-to-Energy Facility has had one Operational Certificate exceedance in the past 4 years. On January 29, 2018, the average 24-hr carbon monoxide was 51.8 mg/dscm as compared to the limit of 50 mg/dscm. There have been no other exceedances detected from either the continuous emissions monitoring system or the quarterly manual stack testing since the Operational Certificate was issued.

Screening of Incoming Waste and Frequency of Maintenance

Metro Vancouver is one of the most advanced communities in North America with respect to actions to reduce potential contaminants in the waste stream. Metro Vancouver’s Tipping Fee Bylaw lists materials that are “banned” from disposal under the bylaw. Banned materials include both easily recyclable material as well as materials that present operational and/or environmental risks. Metro Vancouver contracts with a third party contractor that inspects waste loads at regional transfer stations as well as the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Loads containing excessive quantities of “banned” materials are surcharged to encourage haulers to set-up recycling or alternative disposal systems for these materials. In 2019 more than 200,000 waste loads were inspected for banned materials with more than 3,000 surcharges issued. More information on the disposal ban program is available at http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jun-19_AGE.pdf. Metro Vancouver also works closely with product stewards and others to communicate the importance of keeping products like electronics out of the waste stream.

The facility undergoes two regularly scheduled outages per boiler to conduct regular maintenance. In addition, the fabric filter bags are replaced every three years, or sooner if opacity readings start to increase.

Odour Management and Communications Plan

As the Waste-to-Energy Facility operates with negative air pressure, odours are seldom detected beyond the property boundary. Information about the facility is posted to the Metro Vancouver website, including real-time emissions data from the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System. As part of the Waste-to-Energy Facility annual reporting requirements any odour complaints would be logged and included in the report. No odour complaints have been attributed to the Waste-to-Energy Facility since the facility began operation in 1988.


Your letter and this response will be included in a report summarizing feedback on the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. The report will be included in the September 18, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda. You may apply to speak to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board on the proposed Operational Certificate amendment by contacting the


http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jun-19_AGE.pdf


Page 4 of 4

Board and Information Services department at [email protected]. The application requirements are available at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/delegations/Pages/default.aspx. Those speaking to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board must appear in-person and adhere to the strict health protocols and precautions implemented by Metro Vancouver. Following reporting to the Zero Waste Committee and the GVS&DD Board, your letter, this response letter and the report to the Zero Waste Committee will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration. Yours truly,

Paul Henderson, P.Eng. General Manager, Solid Waste Services PH/sl

cc: Luc Lachance, Section Head – Solid Waste, Authorizations South, Regional Operations Branch,

Environmental Protection Division, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy 40969736



45950 Cheam Avenue | Chilliwack | V2P 1N6

Phone: 604-702-5000 | Toll Free: 1-800-528-0061

August 7, 2020

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Environmental Protection Division [email protected]

RE: Comments on Operational Certificate Amendment for the Burnaby Garbage Incinerator

The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) shares a sensitive airshed with Metro Vancouver’s garbage incinerator and has continuing concerns regarding the facility from both an air quality and a solid waste management perspective. The Operational Certificate (OC) issued for this facility in 2016 established temporary discharge limits for some air pollutants to provide operators with extra time to make the necessary emission control upgrades. The interim discharge limits for two pollutants, sulphur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl), are set to expire on December 31, 2022.

SO2 and HCl are gasses that have toxic properties and contribute to atmospheric acidification. The lower, more stringent, discharge limits that come into effect in 2022 will help reduce the amount this facility contributes to air quality and health concerns in our region. Despite the extra time provided, Metro Vancouver has still not made the necessary upgrades and now, rather than installing the required emission-controls, Metro Vancouver is instead seeking to amend the OC to have the new discharge limits come into effect in 2025 rather than 2022. The FVRD appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on this proposed amendment. Our comments include the following:

• The new discharge limit for SO2 (50 mg/dscm) is in line with the industry standard for thecombustion of solid waste. Other garbage incinerators in Canada, such as the Durham YorkEnergy Centre, have even lower SO2 discharge limits (35 mg/dscm) and appear to be incompliance. Metro Vancouver’s garbage incinerator should not be allowed to operate undersub-par standards (with a 200 mg/dscm limit) simply because it is old, aging infrastructure.

• Our analysis of the SO2 emissions data from the Burnaby incinerator (December 2017-March2020) shows the facility has regularly recorded exceedance beyond the new, more stringentSO2 discharge limits. Assuming these new discharge limits were utilized by the Province toprotect environmental and human health, these exceedances are a considerable cause forconcern and need to be addressed as soon as possible, without further delays.

• The Province provided Metro Vancouver with 6 years (2016-2022) to make the necessaryupgrades to the facility to reduce SO2 and HCl emissions. Even if the Province allows for anextension until 2025, since the application lacks any details or even a plan for how the new



emission requirements will be addressed, how can we be sure that the upgrades will actually be implemented for 2025 rather than just another extension request?

• Metro Vancouver suggests that the results of recent dispersion modelling and health riskassessment show that at current emission levels, SO2 and HCl concentrations “do not result ina public health risk”. FVRD staff reviewed these reports in detail and found a number of seriousmisinterpretations, missing references, and unfounded conclusions some of which are relatedto potential exceedances of SO2 and HCl predicted by the modeling. The FVRD’s feedback onthese reports has already been provided to the Province.

• The additional air quality sensors Metro Vancouver will be installing near the facility will onlybe beneficial if the data is transparent and available to all regional stakeholders forindependent oversight. Emissions from all compounds in question must be clearly identifiedto allow for comparison with the modelling data and best available practices.

• Emissions during start-up and shut-down events are an issue due to incomplete combustionthat occurs. Part of the OC amendment request is to re-define these events, which is of concernsince we do not know the impact of these proposed changes on the duration or frequency ofstart-up and shut-down events at the facility. Emissions occurring during these events needsto be incorporated into all regulatory calculations and emission reporting.

The Fraser Valley Regional District remains very concerned with this facility, including its impact on our sensitive airshed, its production and management of toxic ash, and the use of feedstock that can be diverted or recycled rather than incinerated. We are very disappointed that Metro Vancouver has been able to operate a sub-par facility for such a long time and has not demonstrated any level of commitment to making the necessary emission control upgrades for these parameters as required in the OC. We are opposed to the requested amendment as it will allow unnecessary and unhealthy air emissions to continue within our sensitive airshed.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the technical review of the emission data conducted by the FVRD, please contact Marina Richter, Environmental Policy Analyst, at .

Sincerely,

Lance Lilley Manager of Environmental Services

cc. Metro Vancouver, Solid Waste ServicesEmail: [email protected]





Lance Lilley, Manager of Environmental Services Fraser Valley Regional District 45950 Cheam Avenue Chilliwack, BC V2P 1N6

VIA EMAIL:

Dear Mr. Lilley:

Comments on Operational Certificate Amendment for the Burnaby Garbage Incinerator

Thank you for your letter dated August 7, 2020, providing feedback regarding the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. We hope that this letter helps to address your questions and concerns.



After all efforts to reduce and recycle materials, any remaining garbage is sent to disposal facilities, including the Waste-to-Energy Facility which recovers 7,000 tonnes of metal per year and provides enough energy to power approximately 16,000 homes. In 2018, Metro Vancouver invested more than $6 million at the Waste-to-Energy Facility to recover non-ferrous and additional ferrous metals. As a


Lance Lilley, Fraser Valley Regional District Comments on Operational Certificate Amendment for the Burnaby Garbage Incinerator

Page 2 of 5

result of the investment, approximately 500 tonnes of non-ferrous metals and an additional 500 tonnes of ferrous metals are recovered each year resulting in an estimated 2,000 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas emission offsets through the replacement of mined metals. Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Performance

Metro Vancouver is continually working to improve environmental performance and reduce emissions at the Waste-to-Energy Facility through assessment and improvement of operations, plant infrastructure and environmental controls. Metro Vancouver has invested over $40 million in the past 10 years in emission reduction technology and operational improvements. A nitrogen oxides reduction project, completed in 2015, reduced average nitrogen oxides emissions by more than 50%. The facility now accounts for less than 0.5% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the region. The continuous emissions monitoring system was upgraded in 2018 to include advanced monitoring of hydrogen chloride and total organic carbon. To increase transparency, continuous emissions monitoring data is now available on the Metro Vancouver website. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility is one of only a handful of facilities in North America that publish continuous emissions monitoring data. With respect to sulphur dioxide emissions, efforts have focused on minimizing gypsum in the waste stream including introduction of a separate residential used gypsum disposal program, as combustion of gypsum produces sulphur dioxide. Overall, ambient air sulphur dioxide concentrations in the region have reduced dramatically in recent years, primarily due to reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions from marine sources. Metro Vancouver reports annually on the environmental performance of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The most recent report is available as part of the July 2020 Zero Waste Committee Agenda (Item 5.3) at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jul-17_AGE.pdf.




The dispersion modelling completed by Metro Vancouver’s independent consultants demonstrated that at current emission levels, the location with the highest expected concentrations of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are within the area immediately surrounding the Waste-to-Energy Facility. In this area, the dispersion modelling predicted sulphur dioxide concentrations under all operating scenarios are within the Metro Vancouver 1-hour ambient objective for greater than 99.9%





Page 3 of 5

of all hours in any year modelled. The study results are available on Metro Vancouver’s website (go to metrovancouver.org and search “Operational Certificate Amendment”).

Metro Vancouver has installed and is currently operating a new air quality monitoring station at the Waste-to-Energy Facility near the location of highest expected concentrations of emissions from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The new monitoring station measures sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride. An additional new hydrogen chloride monitor is operating at the Burnaby South Air Quality Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver has not previously monitored hydrogen chloride at any of its monitoring stations, and as such learnings from this study will be important for future regional air monitoring efforts as well as general advancement in monitoring technology.


Air Quality Monitoring Network

The Lower Fraser Valley Air Quality Monitoring Network includes 31 air quality monitoring stations located from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Hope. Metro Vancouver operates 25 stations in Metro Vancouver, as well as 6 stations in the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) in partnership with the FVRD. Air quality monitoring stations are located throughout the Lower Fraser Valley to provide an understanding of the air quality levels that residents are exposed to most of the time.

Variation in Discharge Limits

The discharge limits for the Durham York facility were set by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, based on the air quality objectives and priorities for the region. The discharge limits in the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate have been set by the BC Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy based on the ambient air quality and objectives of the Fraser Valley airshed. Reducing nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter emissions has been a primary focus, as well as maintaining extremely low dioxin and furan emissions.

Sulphur dioxide emissions from the facility average between 50 mg/m3 and 80 mg/m3 on an annual basis, well below the interim sulphur dioxide limit of 200 mg/m3. For comparison, the sulphur dioxide discharge limits at some of the larger point source facilities operating under a permit in the region are 2 times to more than 10 times higher.

Public Health Risk Assessment

Metro Vancouver engaged an independent third party expert to conduct a human health risk assessment based on the results of the air quality dispersion modelling study. The human health risk assessment concluded that at current Operational Certificate emission levels, hydrogen chloride and




Page 4 of 5

sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to meet air quality objectives and do not result in a public health risk.

Clarifying Criteria for Defining Start-up and Shut-down Periods

As one of the requirements of the Operational Certificate, to improve combustion characteristics and reduce emissions during start-up and shut-down periods, the auxiliary gas burners at the Waste-to-Energy Facility were upgraded in 2018. With the updated auxiliary gas burners, there are operational scenarios where start-up and shut-down does not follow the sequence outlined in the Operational Certificate due to operational and safety reasons.


Discharge limits in the Operational Certificate are not applicable to start-up and shut-down periods, which is typical of operational certificates and permits for waste-to-energy facilities across North America. Discharge limits apply to steady state operations for the facilities. As required in the Operational Certificate, in advance of completing the dispersion modelling study, Metro Vancouver monitored emissions during start-up and shut-down of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Metro Vancouver is not aware of any other such study in North America. Metro Vancouver’s consultants’ dispersion modelling and health risk assessment studies incorporated start-up and shut-down emissions data into the modelling process and concluded that emissions including start-up and shut-down emissions do not adversely impact ambient air quality or human health.

The new ambient air quality monitoring station installed at the Waste-to-Energy Facility will monitor ambient conditions at all times, including start-up and shut-down periods, to confirm modelling results. Reporting to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Zero Waste Committee and Metro Vancouver Board

Your letter and this response will be included in a report summarizing feedback on the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. The report will be included in the September 18, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda. You may apply to speak to the Zero Waste



Page 5 of 5

Committee or GVS&DD Board on the proposed Operational Certificate amendment by contacting the Board and Information Services department at [email protected]. The application requirements are available at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/delegations/Pages/default.aspx. Those speaking to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board must appear in-person and adhere to the strict health protocols and precautions implemented by Metro Vancouver. Following reporting to the Zero Waste Committee and the GVS&DD Board, your letter, this response letter and the report to the Zero Waste Committee will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration. Yours truly,

Paul Henderson, P.Eng. General Manager, Solid Waste Services PH/sl


40966357



1

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Jamie Kaminski, Director, Zero Waste Canada Sue Maxwell, Director, Zero Waste BC

VIA EMAIL:

Dear Mr. Kaminski and Ms. Maxwell:

Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051

Thank you for your email and letter, received on August 5, 2020, providing feedback regarding the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. We hope that this letter helps to address your questions and concerns.



After all efforts to reduce and recycle materials, any remaining garbage is sent to disposal facilities, including the Waste-to-Energy Facility which recovers 7,000 tonnes of metal per year and provides enough energy to power approximately 16,000 homes. In 2018, Metro Vancouver invested more than $6 million at the Waste-to-Energy Facility to recover non-ferrous and additional ferrous metals. As a result of the investment, approximately 500 tonnes of non-ferrous metals and an additional 500 tonnes of ferrous metals are recovered each year resulting in an estimated 2,000 tonnes per year of greenhouse gas emission offsets through the replacement of mined metals.


Jamie Kaminski and Sue Maxwell, Zero Waste Canada and BC Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051

Page 2 of 4


Metro Vancouver is continually working to improve environmental performance and reduce emissions at the Waste-to-Energy Facility through assessment and improvement of operations, plant infrastructure and environmental controls. Metro Vancouver has invested over $40 million in the past 10 years in emission reduction technology and operational improvements. A nitrogen oxides reduction project, completed in 2015, reduced average nitrogen oxides emissions by more than 50%. The facility now accounts for less than 0.5% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the region.

The continuous emissions monitoring system was upgraded in 2018 to include advanced monitoring of hydrogen chloride and total organic carbon. To increase transparency, continuous emissions monitoring data is now available on the Metro Vancouver website. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility is one of only a handful of facilities in North America that publish continuous emissions monitoring data.

With respect to sulphur dioxide emissions, efforts have focused on minimizing gypsum in the waste stream including introduction of a separate residential used gypsum disposal program, as combustion of gypsum produces sulphur dioxide. Overall, ambient air sulphur dioxide concentrations in the region have reduced dramatically in recent years, primarily due to reductions in sulphur dioxide emissions from marine sources.

Metro Vancouver reports annually on the environmental performance of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. The most recent report is available as part of the July 2020 Zero Waste Committee Agenda (Item 5.3) at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/ZeroWaste/ZWA_2020-Jul-17_AGE.pdf.




The dispersion modelling completed by Metro Vancouver’s independent consultants demonstrated that at current emission levels, the location with the highest expected concentrations of hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are within the area immediately surrounding the Waste-to-Energy Facility. In this area, the dispersion modelling predicted sulphur dioxide concentrations under all operating scenarios are within the Metro Vancouver 1-hour ambient objective for greater than 99.9% of all hours in any year modelled. The study results are available on Metro Vancouver’s website (go to metrovancouver.org and search “Operational Certificate Amendment”).

Metro Vancouver has installed and is currently operating a new air quality monitoring station at the Waste-to-Energy Facility near the location of highest expected concentrations of emissions from the






Page 3 of 4

Waste-to-Energy Facility. The new monitoring station measures sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen chloride. An additional new hydrogen chloride monitor is operating at the Burnaby South Air Quality Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver has not previously monitored hydrogen chloride at any of its monitoring stations, and as such learnings from this study will be important for future regional air monitoring efforts as well as general advancement in monitoring technology.


Clarifying Criteria for Defining Start-up and Shut-down Periods

As one of the requirements of the Operational Certificate, to improve combustion characteristics and reduce emissions during start-up and shut-down periods, the auxiliary gas burners at the Waste-to-Energy Facility were upgraded in 2018. With the updated auxiliary gas burners, there are operational scenarios where start-up and shut-down does not follow the sequence outlined in the Operational Certificate due to operational and safety reasons.


Discharge limits in the Operational Certificate are not applicable to start-up and shut-down periods, which is typical of operational certificates and permits for waste-to-energy facilities across North America. Discharge limits apply to steady state operations for the facilities. As required in the Operational Certificate, in advance of completing the dispersion modelling study, Metro Vancouver monitored emissions during start-up and shut-down of the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Metro Vancouver is not aware of any other such study in North America. Metro Vancouver’s consultants’ dispersion modelling and health risk assessment studies incorporated start-up and shut-down emissions data into the modelling process and concluded that emissions including start-up and shut-down emissions do not adversely impact ambient air quality or human health.

The new ambient air quality monitoring station installed at the Waste-to-Energy Facility will monitor ambient conditions at all times, including start-up and shut-down periods, to confirm modelling results.



Page 4 of 4

Bottom Ash Beneficial Use

Your letter also raises concerns about the beneficial use of bottom ash from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. Metro Vancouver has initiated a procurement process to beneficially use bottom ash from the Waste-to-Energy Facility. If the bottom ash can be beneficially reused, more than 40,000 tonnes per year of material, or approximately 5% of all municipal solid waste disposed of in the region, can be beneficially used rather than landfilled. A key requirement as part of the procurement process will be for potential users of the bottom ash to demonstrate that the proposed process will not lead to harmful human health or environmental impacts, and will comply with all applicable laws, including requirements of the Environmental Management Act.


Your letter and this response will be included in a report summarizing feedback on the proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate amendment. The report will be included in the September 18, 2020 Zero Waste Committee agenda. You may apply to speak to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board on the proposed Operational Certificate amendment by contacting the Board and Information Services department at [email protected]. The application requirements are available at the following link: http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/delegations/Pages/default.aspx. Those speaking to the Zero Waste Committee or GVS&DD Board must appear in-person and adhere to the strict health protocols and precautions implemented by Metro Vancouver. Following reporting to the Zero Waste Committee and the GVS&DD Board, your letter, this response letter and the report to the Zero Waste Committee will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for consideration.

I would be happy to meet with you to discuss any aspect of this letter or discuss opportunities to further advance waste reduction and recycling in the region. Again, we really appreciate your interest in this issue and more broadly your commitment to achieving zero waste.

Yours truly,


PH/sl


40960479



1

From: Metro Vancouver - Solid WasteSent: Thursday, June 4, 2020 2:34 PMSubject: Invitation to Provide feedback – Proposed Amendments to Waste-to-Energy Facility

Operational Certificate (OC 107051)

Follow Up Flag: Flag for follow upFlag Status: Flagged

Metro Vancouver

Invitation to Provide feedback – Proposed Amendments to Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate

(OC 107051)

Metro Vancouver has applied for an amendment to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational

Certificate to defer the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride

from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025, and to clarify the criteria for defining start-up and

shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. The Ministry of Environment and

Climate Change Strategy has provided Metro Vancouver with a draft amended Operational

Certificate for public comment. Your feedback is welcome.

Draft Amended Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate

Please provide any written comments by August 7, 2020 to Metro Vancouver and the Ministry

of Environment and Climate Change Strategy with the subject line “Waste-to-Energy OC

Authorization 107051”.

Alternatively, comments can be sent by mail to Metro Vancouver – Solid Waste Services, 4730

Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H OC6. Contents of any information submitted in relation to this

ATTACHMENT 2


2

application will become part of the public record. Metro Vancouver will consider all comments

received and share all feedback with the Ministry at the end of the comment period.

A notice will be posted in the Vancouver Sun and The Province, notifying the public of the

opportunity to provide feedback.

Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility at 5150 Riverbend Drive, Burnaby is regulated by the

BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through an Operational Certificate

which sets requirements for the facility’s operation. The current Operational Certificate, approved

on December 15, 2016, included a reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen

chloride by December 31, 2022. Dispersion modelling and a health risk assessment showed that at

current emission levels, hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to

meet air quality objectives and do not result in a public health risk. Actual concentrations for both

sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride are expected to be lower than the modelled

concentrations. Delaying the reduction of limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride to

March 3, 2025 would allow for further air monitoring to confirm ambient concentrations. The

amendment also includes a clarification of the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods

for the purpose of emission reporting.

By mid-2020, Metro Vancouver will install new air quality monitoring equipment at two locations

where dispersion modelling results predicted the highest concentration of these substances – one

within the Waste-to-Energy Facility site, and one outside the facility at the existing Burnaby South

Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver will monitor sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride levels

for the next 2 years to compare with dispersion modelling results and ambient air quality

standards, and report all monitoring data to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

Strategy.

Questions about the proposed changes to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate can

be directed to [email protected].


3

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metrovancouverSERVICES AND SOLUTIONS FOR A LIVABLE REGION

Solid Waste ServicesTel. 604 432-6400 Fax 604 451-6180

June 3, 2020File: SW-02-02-WTEF-05

Property Owner or Occupant

Dear Property Ovvner or Occupant:

Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment

Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility at 5150 Riverbend Drive, Burnaby is regulated by the BCMinister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through an Operational Certificate which setsrequirements for the facility’s operation. We would like to notify you of an opportunity to providefeedback on a proposed amendment to the Operational Certificate to defer the reduction indischarge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025,and to clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emissionreporting.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has provided Metro Vancouver with a draftamended Operational Certificate for public comment, available at metrovancouver.org by searching“WTEF Operational Certificate Amendment”.

Please provide any written comments by August 7, 2020 to Metro Vancouver [email protected] and the Ministry of Environment and Climate ChangeStrategy at [email protected], with the subject line “Waste-to-Energy OCAuthorization 107051”. The identity of respondents and contents of any information submitted inrelation to this application will become part of the public record.

Written submissions can also be submitted by mail to the following address:

Metro Vancouver — Solid Waste Services4730 KingswayBurnaby, BC V5H OC6

The current Operational Certificate, approved on December 15, 2016, included a reduction indischarge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride by December 31, 2022. Dispersionmodelling and a health risk assessment showed that at current emission levels, hydrogen chlorideand sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to meet air quality objectives and do not result ina public health risk. Actual concentrations for both sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride areexpected to be lower than the modelled concentrations. Delaying the reduction of limits for sulphur

4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5H 0C6 I 604-432-6200 metrovancouver.orgMetro Vancouver Regional District I Greater Vancouver Water District I Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District I Metro Vancouver Housing CorporationZero Waste Committee

Property Owner or OccupantWaste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment

Page 2 of 2

dioxide and hydrogen chloride to Match 3, 2025 would allow for further air monitoring to confirmambient air concentrations. The amendment also includes a clarification of the criteria for definingstart-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting.

By mid-2020, Metro Vancouver will install new air quality monitoring equipment at two locationswhere the dispersion modelling results predicted the highest concentration of these substances —

one within the Waste-to-Energy Facility site, and one outside the facility at the existing Burnaby SouthMonitoring Station. Metro Vancouver will monitor sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride levels forthe next 2 years to compare with dispersion modelling results and ambient air quality standards, andreport all monitoring data to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

Questions about the proposed changes to the Wae-io-Eiievgy Fadfty Op atona Certificat2 cnbe directed to Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Metro Vancouver at

or

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Paul Henderson, P.Eng.General Manager, Solid Waste Services

PH/BK/si

39328048


38315118

Office of the Chair Tel. 604 432-6215 Fax 604 451-6614

June 17, 2020 File: CP-16-01

BY EMAIL: Dear Chief and Members of Council:

Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment This letter is to notify you of an opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed amendment to the Operational Certificate of Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility located at 5150 Riverbend Drive, Burnaby is regulated by the BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through an Operational Certificate, which sets requirements for the facility’s operation. The amendment to the Operational Certificate would defer the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025, and clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has provided Metro Vancouver with a draft amended Operational Certificate for public comment, available on our website at metrovancouver.org by searching “WTEF Operational Certificate Amendment”. Please provide any written comments by August 21, 2020 to Metro Vancouver by email at [email protected] and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy by email at [email protected], with the subject line “Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051”. The identity of respondents and contents of any information submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record. Written submissions can also be submitted by mail to the following address:

Metro Vancouver – Solid Waste Services 4730 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H OC6

The current Operational Certificate, approved on December 15, 2016, included a reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride by December 31, 2022. Dispersion modelling and a health risk assessment showed that at current emission levels, hydrogen chloride


http://orbit.gvrd.bc.ca/orbitdav/nodes/19495754/solidwasteoperations%40metrovancouver.org%3B%20Authorizations.South%40gov.bc.ca%3Fsubject%3DWaste-to-Energy%20OC%20Authorization%20107051

http://orbit.gvrd.bc.ca/orbitdav/nodes/19495754/Authorizations.South%40gov.bc.ca%3B%20solidwasteoperations%40metrovancouver.org%3Fsubject%3DWaste-to-Energy%20OC%20Authorization%20107051


Page 2 of 2

and sulphur dioxide concentrations are projected to meet air quality objectives and do not result in a public health risk. Actual concentrations for both sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride are expected to be lower than the modelled concentrations. Delaying the reduction of limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride to March 3, 2025 would allow for further air monitoring to confirm ambient air concentrations. The amendment also includes a clarification of the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. Metro Vancouver is in the process of installing new air quality monitoring equipment at two locations where the dispersion modelling results predicted the highest concentration of these substances – one within the Waste-to-Energy Facility site, and one outside the facility at the existing Burnaby South Monitoring Station. Metro Vancouver will monitor sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride levels for the next 2 years to compare with dispersion modelling results and ambient air quality standards, and report all monitoring data to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. If you have any questions about the proposed changes to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate, require any additional information, or wish to schedule a brief meeting and presentation, please contact Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Metro Vancouver by email at

or by phone at . Thank you in advance for your consideration. Yours sincerely, Sav Dhaliwal Chair, Metro Vancouver Board SD/PH/sl

cc: Marino Piombini, Supervisor, Indigenous Relations, Metro Vancouver 38315118


40204878

Office of the Chair Tel. 604 432-6215 Fax 604 451-6614

July 22, 2020 File: CP-16-01

BY EMAIL: Dear Chief and Members of Council:

Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate Amendment This is a follow-up to our recent letter dated June 17, 2020, describing the opportunity to provide input on a proposed amendment to the Operational Certificate of Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Metro Vancouver’s Waste-to-Energy Facility, located at 5150 Riverbend Drive in Burnaby, is regulated by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through an Operational Certificate, which sets requirements for the facility’s operation. The amendment to the Operational Certificate would defer the reduction in discharge limits for sulphur dioxide and hydrogen chloride from December 31, 2022 to March 3, 2025, and clarify the criteria for defining start-up and shut-down periods for the purpose of emission reporting. The draft amended Operational Certificate is available on our website at metrovancouver.org by searching “WTEF Operational Certificate Amendment.” Please provide any written comments by August 21, 2020 to Metro Vancouver by email at [email protected] and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy by email at [email protected], with the subject line “Waste-to-Energy OC Authorization 107051.” The identity of respondents and contents of any information submitted in relation to this application will become part of the public record. Written submissions can also be submitted by mail to the following address:

Metro Vancouver – Solid Waste Services 4730 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H OC6



Page 2 of 2

If you have any questions about the proposed changes to the Waste-to-Energy Facility Operational Certificate, require any additional information, or wish to schedule a meeting and presentation, please contact Brent Kirkpatrick, Lead Senior Engineer, Metro Vancouver, by email at

or by phone at . Thank you in advance for your consideration. Yours sincerely, Sav Dhaliwal Chair, Metro Vancouver Board SD/PH/sl

cc: Marino Piombini, Supervisor, Indigenous Relations, Metro Vancouver 40204878


8 Thursday, June 25, 2020| News | Theprovince.com

Randy ShoRe

Nicola DeSousa has been fighting for her son’s recovery from drug addiction for nearly a decade, but the health-care system has thwarted her at every turn.

Earlier this week, the provin-cial government announced it will enact “emergency meas-ures” that will allow addicts 18 and under to be hospital-ized against their will for two to seven days, if they suffer an overdose.

The problem is that DeSou-sa’s son, Christian, is now 25.

“Things went noticeably off the rails when he was 15 or 16, but it started earlier, he was just really good at hiding it,” she said.

DeSousa tried to get her teenaged son treatment, but they kept getting turned away.

“They didn’t think he had any issues,” she said. “My son is a very good liar and he was able to lie to people who are trained to see through lies.”

Involuntary hospitalization

is a tool she “absolutely” would have used to help her son as a teen and would use it today, if she could. Unfortunately, parents of addicted adult chil-dren have no power to compel any kind of treatment.

After living for a time on the Downtown Eastside, Chris-tian entered a nine-month treatment program two years ago. DeSousa had convinced the court to release him to her supervision.

He has since relapsed.DeSousa is frustrated that

the tools and programs availa-ble to help teens all end on their 19th birthday.

“There needs to be some sort of guardianship for young adults, if you could prove there is a need for it,” she said.

“There are people living in the street addicted to drugs who have people who love them. But after so much head-banging, (the families) just give up.”

Changes to the Mental Health Act will apply to youth because research suggests

that “this type of care does not work for adults and may actu-ally be harmful,” the Ministry of Mental Health and Addic-tions said.

The goal is to “allow (teens) to stabilize and regain their decision-making capacity, and to help connect them to voluntary, culturally safe sup-ports and services in the com-munity.”

So far this year, six people under 19 have died of over-dose, about one per cent of all such deaths, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.

However, 116 people aged 19 to 29 have died in that same period, about 20 per cent of all illicit drug toxicity deaths, the coroner said.

British Columbia recorded 170 illicit drug deaths in May, the highest single-month total ever. About 6,000 people have died of overdose in B.C. since 2015, many due to contami-nation of street drugs with the super-potent opioid fentanyl.

[email protected]

Parents want better tools to help their addicted adult children

REOP NINGCANADAREOPENINGCANADA

HOW ARE BUSINESSES ACROSSTHE COUNTRY EMERGINGFROM THE PANDEMIC?

The Canadian economy is opening up, business by

business. How will restaurants, retail, tourism and other

key sectors recover?

Reopening Canada takes a look at how national, regional

and local economies are picking up steam.

IN PAPER SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AND ONLINE AT

THEPROVINCE.COM


7 theprovince.com | news | monday, July 6, 2020

Gordon McIntyre

An advertisement about collecting ash from Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant captures a tidy snapshot of the recycling and money generation that goes on at the south Burnaby facility.

Three firms have bid on purchasing what is known as “bottom ash” — gravel-like chunks, as opposed to fly ash that is fine and rises — and repurpose it, most likely as a component in cement and concrete or as aggregate material for building founda-tion.

“As a region, we recycle 64 per cent of the waste that is generated,” said Paul Hender-son, general manager of solid waste services with Metro Vancouver. “That is North American-leading.

“After all the recycling, there is roughly 900,000 to a million tonnes a year of gar-bage that requires disposal.”

About a quarter of that total, roughly a quarter-million tonnes, is dealt with at the waste management facility, where it is turned into energy, metal and about 43,000 tonnes of bottom ash a year.

The bottom ash is the non-combustible material left after slag, ceramic, glass, fer-rous and non-ferrous metals are burned to power a boiler, which in turn generates elec-tricity that is sold to B.C. Hydro.

Historically, bottom ash from the waste-to-energy facility has been sent to the Vancouver landfill or, more recently, used during con-struction at the new Coquit-lam transfer station as aggre-gate.

The waste-to-energy facility was built in 1988, and a more recent f ive-storey tower houses an electromagnetic machine that separates met-als.

Metro Vancouver earns $8

million a year selling electric-ity to B.C. Hydro that is pro-duced burning the waste. That electricity powers 16,000 homes a year.

“It generates a lot of elec-tricity, over 20 megawatts of electricity, continuously throughout the year,” Hender-son said. “What’s left over is this approximately 43,000 tonnes of bottom ash.

“There have been lots of pilots projects, we’ve done pilots with paving stones, etc., but to our knowledge on a full-scale where you’re taking all the bottom ash from a waste-to-energy facility, we’re not aware of any other similar initiative in North America.”

Over the 32 years the facil-ity has been operating, Hen-derson said it has performed considerably better than the required regulatory emissions standards. Those same health standards will go into select-ing the successful tender for the bottom ash, he said.

A grapple picks up waste three tonnes at a time and drops 11 tonnes an hour into each of three chutes, kept full so they continue to burn and keep the boiler going to make steam to produce electricity.

A lime-and-carbon injec-tion reactor treats the flue gas to reduce acid and mercury, while hoppers collect fly ash which is then stored in a silo.

About 9,000 tonnes of fer-rous metal is collected every year and sold as scrap, gener-ating $2 million in annual rev-enue. Since 2018, 500 tonnes a year of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and cop-per has been extracted and sold for about $300,000 a year.

But there is still that other 75 per cent of our garbage that goes to landfills.

“We’re leading as a jurisdic-tion, but we generate a lot of waste in the end.”

[email protected] twitter.com/gordmcintyre

Metro looks deep down for cash from trashFirms bid on gravelly bottom ash left over from burning garbage at waste-to-energy plant

Bottom ash from the Metro Vancouver waste-to-energy facility can be used for cement. Paul Henderson

LouIse dIckson

VICTORIA — The death of a newly admitted inmate at Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre has dev-astated his family and friends, and left them searching for answers.

David Gordon Ivany, 26, died alone from an apparent illicit-drug overdose in his jail cell on June 21.

The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating how Ivany died. B.C. Corrections will also review the circum-stances.

Ivany was arrested by West Shore RCMP on June 18 and charged with flight from police and breaching his pro-bation. He was transferred to the jail the next day and was scheduled to appear in West-ern Communities provincial court on June 23.

If Ivany’s death is con-firmed to be from an over-dose, it raises the question of how he either brought drugs into the jail or got them there, especially when he was placed in isolation under new

protocols put in place to keep COVID-19 out of correctional centres.

It also raises the question of how often he was checked while being held alone in the induction unit, separate from the rest of the jail.

Police went to Joanna Iva-ny’s door late at night to notify her that her brother had died in jail from a drug overdose.

“My question to the cops was how could it be a drug overdose if he was in your care for 24 hours before he died,” said Joanna, who went to the jail the next day to col-lect his body.

“ Ever yone just wants answers. If he was taken care of properly, none of this would have happened. It could have been prevented if they did their job and just didn’t look at him as another First Nations person in this place.”

Friend Rob Iverson said Ivany’s death doesn’t make any sense because he didn’t use hard drugs.

“I just want closure. We don’t understand how this happened,” Iverson said. “It’s

causing a lot of disturbance. We’re all unsettled.”

Ivany liked marijuana but didn’t do heroin or fentanyl, said Iverson.

“No one said anything about a package exploding in him or anything like that. And David doesn’t do that. He’s not into this kind of thing. So how did he come across the drugs? Was he around other people? Could anyone have done this to him?” asked Iver-son.

B.C. Corrections said it maintains zero-tolerance for illegal drugs within correc-tional centres and has strin-gent security measures to deal with contraband, including drugs. It has invested nearly $1.9 million in body scanners to enhance drug interdiction.

During the first 24 hours of admission, all individuals receive a physical and mental health assessment. Trained staff provide addictions sup-port and counselling. Inmates also have access to opioid replacement treatment and can participate in the metha-done/suboxone program.

Family question’s death of Vancouver Island inmate


S t e p h a n i e i p

Homicide police are asking the public for help in investigating the death of a woman who last week was dropped off at a hospital with fatal injuries.

On Wednesday, Sgt. Frank Jang of the Integrated Homicide In-vestigation Team said the woman has been identified as Bo Fan, a 41-year-old Chinese citizen who had been living in Surrey since February 2019. She was last seen in the area of 168th Street and 27th Avenue on the night of June 16-17.

“Given what we know of the case so far, we don’t believe this was a random incident,” Jang said. “There is still much we need to learn about Ms. Fan and her history.”

Jang said Fan was believed to be associated with a group known as Golden Touch or Create Abun-dance. Police didn’t have any infor-mation about the nature of Fan’s ties to the group, but Jang said in-vestigators hope others attached to the group or who recognize Fan will speak with police.

“We’re specifically reaching out to the Chinese community. Just from what we know of Ms. Fan and her background, we believe that there are those in the local Chi-nese community who may know her, or who may have had dealings with her, particularly through this organization,” Jang said.

The organization is believed to be a self-improvement or spiritual group with international reach and local ties, but little else is known. Investigators are continuing their background checks on the group.

In a Dec. 24, 2018, post under the “NoStupidQuestions” Reddit thread, an unidentified individ-ual posted a query seeking infor-mation about the Golden Touch group, expressing concerns that their mother had become in-volved with the supposedly Van-couver-based organization, which is believed to have ties to China.

The individual said they and their mom were set to go on a Mex-ico City excursion with the group to seek consultation valued at $2 million, meant to set them “on a career path of maximum value or

something like that.”An online search uncovers a

ticket portal and event listing for a May 2019 event hosted by Golden Touch in London, England, which claims the three-day event “will definitely change your mindset and your life.”

“It will help with your relation-ship, health and wealth,” the event description reads. “It is simple and effective. I have benefited by teach-

er’s words and with my friends who also benefited want many people to know this amazing way in help you with personal growth.”

Jang said police have no one in custody and that investigators are still working on their “inves-tigational theory.” Police are also working with the Chinese consul-ate to reach Fan’s family in [email protected] twitter.com/stephanie_ip

Surrey homicide victim linked to Asian spiritual group: police

Bo Fan, 41, was dropped off at a Surrey hospital on June 17 with serious injuries. She later died. Police say little is known about the Chinese citizen, who had lived here since February 2019.

A4 T h u r s d ay, J u n e 2 5 , 2 0 2 0 Va n c o u V e r s u n c i t y

J e n n i f e r S a lt m a n

Metro Vancouver is proposing to partner with the province on major infrastructure projects to both trim its budget and help the region recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regional district, which pro-vides services such as sewage treat-ment and drinking water to 2.7 mil-lion people, made a presentation to the Select Standing Committee of Finance and Government Services last week for the 2021 budget — the first time Metro has made such a request — and publicly released its submission Wednesday.

“We know up to this point the province has been very focused on stopping the COVID spread, and they have done a tremen-dous job,” Metro board chair Sav Dhaliwal said. “As we recognize they’re shifting their focus onto economic recovery, we thought this could be the time for us to also give them some options for how we can actually get that recovery going faster.”

Metro is planning to undertake $6 billion in capital projects over the next five years. Most are man-dated by other authorities, deal with aging infrastructure, or are designed to meet the region’s pro-jected population growth.

One such project is the replace-ment of the Iona Island Wastewa-ter Treatment Plant, which must be replaced by the end of 2030 to comply with federal regulations. Construction is slated to begin next year, with the cost for the first of three phases estimated at $750 million.

The Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, tertiary treatment at the under-construction North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, a district energy system at the waste-to-energy facility, a new in-take, tunnel and treatment plant

at Coquitlam reservoir, a biosol-ids dryer, a new part at Widgeon Marsh, and a biosolids dryer are the other projects in the submission.

Metro also plans to build 1,350 affordable-housing units over the next 10 years, a number that could be doubled or tripled with invest-ment from other governments.

In the past, Metro has received project funding from federal and provincial governments on a case-by-case basis.

“These are the projects which are not just make-work projects. These are actually investment-worthy, related to growth, related to pros-perity and managing the popula-tion growth into the region. These critical infrastructure projects are necessary,” Dhaliwal said. “They will bring prosperity to the region, provide long-term jobs, make life more affordable, mitigate climate changes, and it is essential for us to have that partnership with the province.”

Metro Vancouver’s board recent-ly directed staff to look at ways to save money in the budget, includ-ing possible deferral or rescaling of some capital projects planned for the next five years. The goal is to reduce the property tax collect-ed by municipalities on behalf of Metro Vancouver. This year, the average cost is $568 per household, but that is expected to rise to $768 by 2024.

Dhaliwal said the capital proj-ects that are underway would go ahead without provincial or feder-al contributions — they are already accounted for in the budget and five-year plan — but some future projects may need to be delayed.

Help from other levels of govern-ment would reduce the burden on taxpayers and the amount of debt the regional district has to service.

“We need support in there to make sure that we aren’t load-ing up property taxes. People are having a difficult time in terms of really absorbing further proper-ty taxes, but the other orders of government have the capacity to support the local governments, the regional governments, to spur growth and create opportunities,” Dhaliwal said.

B.C.’s Ministry of Finance did not respond to a request for comment by Postmedia’s deadline.

Metro Vancouver is also plan-ning to make submissions during the coming federal budget [email protected]/jensaltman

Metro makes its first provincial budget request in partnership proposal

t i f fa n y C r aw f o r d

Nurses working in acute care, long-term care and communi-ty-care settings report high lev-els of mental injury and work-place violence, says a University of B.C. study for the B.C. Nurses’ Union.

The study, which surveyed 4,462 B.C. nurses, found that in long-term care, 85 per cent reported exposure to physical assault and 54 per cent reported high levels of burnout.

In acute care, 57 per cent of nurs-es reported high levels of burnout, while half were above the cutoff point for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Thirty-one per cent reported moderate or severe depression, according to a news release from the union.

Union president Christine So-rensen says the data highlights the serious need for nurses to be bet-ter supported in their workplac-

es now more than ever, given the unprecedented stress and impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on nurses.

“Before COVID-19, we see there was a dire need for investments in mental-health support for nurses who are dedicated to providing care,” Sorensen said in a statement Wednesday.

“Nurses are professionals and are committed to their patients, but this research shows they have been suffering in silence for too long.”

The union has also commis-sioned another study on psycho-logical health and safety, looking at nurses’ mental health before and after the pandemic.

The union says conclusions could help to inform requirements for pandemic planning by govern-ment and health employers that will incorporate the psychological health of nurses now and for the [email protected]

B.C. nurses in acute care report high levels of stress and violence

We thought this could be the time for us to also give them some options for how we can actually get that recovery going faster.

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FOR FREEStart monitoring yours securely for free. Learn more at mogo.ca/score


G o r d o n McI n t y r e

An advertisement about collect-ing ash from Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant captures a tidy snapshot of the recycling and money generation that goes on at the south Burnaby facility.

Three firms have bid on purchas-ing what’s known as “bottom ash” — gravel-like chunks, as opposed to fly ash that is fine and rises — and repurpose it, most likely as a com-ponent in cement and concrete or as aggregate material for building foundation.

“As a region, we recycle 64 per cent of the waste that’s generated,” said Paul Henderson, general man-ager of solid waste services with Metro Vancouver. “That is North American-leading.

“After all the recycling, there is roughly 900,000 to a million tonnes a year of garbage that re-quires disposal.”

About a quarter of that total, roughly a quarter-million tonnes, is dealt with at the waste manage-ment facility, where it’s turned into energy, metal and about 43,000 tonnes of bottom ash a year.

The bottom ash is the non-com-bustible material left after slag, ceramic, glass, ferrous and non-ferrous metals are burned to power a boiler, which in turn generates electricity that’s sold to B.C. Hydro.

Historically, bottom ash fromthe waste-to-energy facility has been sent to the Vancouver landfill or, more recently, used during construction at the new Coquitlam transfer station as ag-gregate.

The waste-to-energy facility was built in 1988, and a more re-cent five-storey tower houses an electromagnetic machine that sep-arates metals.

Metro Vancouver earns $8 mil-lion a year selling electricity to B.C. Hydro that’s produced burning the waste. That electricity powers 16,000 homes a year.

“It generates a lot of electricity, over 20 megawatts of electrici-ty, continuously throughout the year,” Henderson said. “What’s left over is this approximately 43,000 tonnes of bottom ash.

“There have been lots of pilots projects, we’ve done pilots with paving stones, etc., but to our knowledge, on a full-scale where you’re taking all the bottom ash from a waste-to-energy facility, we’re not aware of any other sim-ilar initiative in North America.”

Over the 32 years the facility has been operating, Henderson said it has performed considerably bet-ter than the required regulatory emissions standards. Those same health standards will go into se-lecting the successful tender for the bottom ash, he said.

A grapple picks up waste three tonnes at a time and drops 11 tonnes an hour into each of three chutes, kept full so they continue to burn and keep the boiler going to make steam to produce elec-tricity.

A lime-and-carbon injection re-actor treats the flue gas to reduce acid and mercury, while hoppers collect fly ash which is then stored in a silo.

About 9,000 tonnes of ferrous metal is collected every year and sold as scrap, generating $2 million in annual revenue. Since 2018, 500 tonnes a year of non-ferrous met-als such as aluminum and copper has been extracted and sold for about $300,000 a [email protected]/gordmcintyre

Metro sells bottom ash from trash for cash at energy plant

r a n dy S h o r e

If you’re planning to dust off your Honda Civic after putting it in storage, remember that ICBC is operating under a new rate design that treats drivers very differently from each other.

Surrey resident Reden Gangis saved about $240 by cancelling the policy on his 2007 Ford Es-cape for two months. But when he reinsured, his annual insurance cost went up by $230, to nearly $2,000.

“I was expecting a lower premi-um after the lockdown,” he said.

If the policy you cancelled to put your car in storage was purchased after Sept. 1, 2019, you shouldn’t notice a difference, but his policy was purchased under the previous

Insurance Corp. of British Colum-bia rate design.

“I stored my car when I was off work due to the pandemic to save some money,” said one commen-tator on social media.

“When I reinsured, the rate went up. I think I would have been better off if I hadn’t stored my car.”

He wondered why drivers hav-en’t felt the benefit of fewer claims being made during the lockdown.

When Vancouver resident Kath-erine Brodsky put her car into storage a few months ago, she cancelled the business use policy that she had recently transferred to a new vehicle and insured the car for storage to save money due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Upon reinsuring to drive, she opted for pleasure use only, which

she assumed would be cheaper. It wasn’t.Her pleasure use policy, with

collision and comprehensive, was quoted at nearly $3,000 a year, just $33 less than the business use policy she had cancelled months earlier.

“If I’m insuring the same ve-hicle, same everything, but go-ing from business to pleasure, the premium should have gone down,” she said.

When COVID-19 disrupted the working lives of many British Co-lumbians, ICBC waived cancella-tion fees and plating fees to give affected drivers a chance to save a few bucks while they were working at home, or not working at all.

In the first seven weeks of lock-down, more than 100,000 policies were cancelled. More than 57,000 policies were downgraded to plea-

Pandemic premiums prompt sticker shock

Reden Gangis, pictured in his 2007 Ford Escape, saved about $240 by cancelling his car insurance for two months during the pandemic. He’ll hand those savings right back, though, because his rates have shot up. Ja s o n Pay n e

Drivers who reinsure their vehicles after taking them out of storage face rate hikes

sure use only from commuter use.More than 47,000 storage poli-

cies were purchased, about three times as many as the same period last year.

When traffic dropped, claim costs went down, too, by about 47 per cent or $158 million, according to ICBC. Unfortunately, the pro-vincial insurer lost $283 million in paid premiums.

Of more immediate concern to drivers who want to reinsure is the dramatic difference between ICBC’s old rate design and the new regime for some drivers.

Policies purchased before Sept. 1 last year could change quite a bit upon renewal.

You can use the corporation’s Education Tool to get a rough es-timate of the policy costs for dif-ferent kinds of drivers. We gave it a try. A driver with 10 years of expe-rience, a car without autonomous braking and no at-fault accidents will pay $1,350 a year for a basic policy before optional insurance is added on.

Third-party liability, collision and comprehensive coverage could be as little as $450 for some drivers or more than $1,700, as it was for Brodsky.

A driver with three years of ex-perience and one at-fault accident will pay $3,000 before optional coverage. Add one more accident and that premium shoots up to $5,400 a year, or $450 a month.

Inexperienced drivers are con-sidered 3.5 times more likely to get into an accident.

A driver with 35 years of expe-rience, autonomous brakes and clean driving record could pay as little as $900 for basic insurance.

If you’re less than 44 days from your next renewal date you can use ICBC’s online estimate tool to get a more accurate glimpse of your own policy costs.

It takes into account all kinds of information to define your risk profile, including your experience, accident history, where you live and how you use your vehicle, what kind of car or truck you drive, and who else might drive it.

The other listed driver’s risk pro-file — whether it’s your spouse, your aging mom or your teenage son — helps determine your [email protected]

A4 M o n d ay, J u ly 6 , 2 0 2 0 Va n c o u V e r S u n c i t y

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5.2

40745985

To: Zero Waste Committee From: Andrew Doi, Environmental Planner, Solid Waste Services

Karen Storry, Senior Engineer, Solid Waste Services Date: September 10, 2020 Meeting Date: September 18, 2020 Subject: CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update

RECOMMENDATION That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 10, 2020, titled “CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update”.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recent developments related to the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan include provincial approval of District of Saanich’s Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw on March 11, 2020, and amendments to the BC Recycling Regulation in summer 2020. The approval of the District of Saanich’s bylaw provides some indication of the process and likelihood of bylaw approvals for other municipalities pursuing similar initiatives to reduce single-use items. Amendments to the BC Recycling Regulation included changes to several extended producer responsibility programs. Notably, the beverage container programs have new requirements for minimum deposit values, and will include milk and milk-substitute containers, starting in February 2022. On January 1, 2023, single-use items (e.g., straws) and packaging-like products (e.g., aluminum foil or plastic lunch containers) will be included in extended producer responsibility programs. Staff are monitoring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on single-use items being disposed and the use of reusable items. PURPOSE The purpose of this report is provide the Zero Waste Committee with an update on the implementation of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and other updates related to efforts to reduce single-use items. BACKGROUND On November 29, 2019 the GVS&DD Board adopted the following resolution:

That the GVS&DD Board write to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in response to B.C.’s Plastics Action Plan Policy consultation paper expressing support for: (i) province-wide restrictions on the sale and use of problematic single-use plastics and authority for local governments to restrict the distribution of problematic single-use items in their communities in addition to any province-wide bans; (ii) increasing materials included in the Provincial Recycling Regulation; and (iii) other measures to reduce plastics overall and capture more plastics.

This report describes recent amendments to the BC Recycling Regulation, particularly related to single-use items, packaging, and packaging-like products and progress to date on single-use plastic reduction bylaws.


CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

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AMENDMENTS TO THE BC RECYCLING REGULATION The BC Recycling Regulation establishes and regulates extended producer responsibility programs for obligated product categories. In summer 2020, the Provincial Government approved Order in Council No. 370, which authorized a number of amendments in the BC Recycling Regulation. Expanding the product categories in the BC Recycling Regulation was an action proposed in the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Policy consultation and supported by the GVS&DD Board. Order in Council No. 370 includes a number of amendments to the BC Recycling Regulation, some with immediate effect and others to be phased in over time. Although the amendments address a number of subject matter themes for extended producer responsibility programs, the two key themes identified below relate to the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan.

Beverage Container Product Category

Single-Use Items and the Packaging and Paper Product Category Beverage Container Product Category Several amendments within the beverage container product category have immediate effect. Encorp has reported that some changes have been implemented while others will be rolled out over the next few months. Key changes are identified below.

Deposits: The minimum deposit has been established at $0.10/container. Earlier this year, Encorp phased out the $0.05/container deposit and anticipates that the $0.20/container deposit will be phased out later this year. Depots and retailers redeeming deposits must provide the full $0.10/container deposit to consumers.

Electronic Fund Transfers: The deposit is no longer required to be paid as a “cash refund”, and is now permitted to be paid in other ways, such as electronic fund transfers.

The beverage container program will also include milk and milk-substitute (e.g., soya milk) containers in the deposit-refund system starting on February 1, 2022. Since 2014, milk and milk-substitute containers have been collected from residential premises as part of the Recycle BC program for packaging and paper product. At this time, the specifics of transitioning milk and milk-substitute containers from the Recycle BC program to the Encorp/Return-It program are not clear. Encorp is presently consulting on its Beverage Container Stewardship Plan 2020-2024. Encorp is proposing new performance targets, as well as options to modernize its collection network though recent developments such as Return-It Express & GO, which utilize ‘low-touch’ options for consumers to redeem deposits. In collaboration with member jurisdictions, Metro Vancouver staff participated in this consultation and have submitted written comments on the proposed Plan. Single-Use Items and the Packaging and Paper Product Category The Order in Council also introduced new obligations for producers of single-use products and packaging-like products to be included in an extended producer responsibility program, beginning on January 1, 2023. Single-use products include straws and utensils, which often accompany existing packaging like drink cups and take-out food containers. Packaging-like products include materials that are often sold to consumers as ‘products’ but are ordinarily disposed after a short-term use, such as foil, bags, and boxes. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has explained that


CleanBC Plastics Action Plan Implementation Update Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

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these packaging-like products may be reused, but typically will break-down in less than five years and are generally items that residents expect to recycle in their community’s recycling system. In addition, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy approved the District of Saanich’s Checkout Bag Regulation Bylaw on March 11, 2020. The Bylaw will come into force 60 days after council adoption. Several other local governments have submitted bylaws related to single-use items to the Ministry for consideration. This work was paused when a provincial state of emergency was declared on March 18, 2020 due to COVID-19. While it is unclear at this time when the work will resume, the approval of the District of Saanich’s bylaw provides some indication of the process and likelihood of bylaw approvals for other municipalities pursuing similar initiatives to reduce single-use items. COVID-19 Metro Vancouver is monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the disposal of single-use items. A waste composition study is scheduled for the fall of 2020 to help determine to what extent the use and disposal of single use items has increased during the pandemic. Staff are also conducting research on the use of reusable items during the pandemic and monitoring advice from health authorities around the safe use of reusable items such as bags and personal mugs. ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS There are no financial implications. CONCLUSION The CleanBC Plastics Action Plan identified a number of potential options to address the use of single-use items. In summer 2020, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy announced selected regulatory developments which impact single-use items, including new extended producer responsibility obligations, and the approval of a municipal single-use item reduction bylaw. In particular, the beverage container program was impacted through changes to minimum deposit levels, and shifting milk and milk-substitute containers from the packaging and paper product program to the deposit-refund program. New obligations for producers of single-use items and packaging-like products will be phased in by January 1, 2023. While some work has been put on hold due to COVID-19, the Province continues to make progress on their plans to reduce plastic waste. Metro Vancouver Staff are monitoring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on single-use items being disposed and the use of reusable items such as personal mugs. Reference: 1. “Order in Council No. 370”, dated, June 29, 2020 40745985


https://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0370_2020

40804942

To: Zero Waste Committee From: Larina Lopez, Division Manager, Corporate Communications, External Relations

Jay Soper, Communications Specialist, External Relations Date: September 1, 2020 Meeting Date: September 18, 2020 Subject: 2020 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Results

RECOMMENDATION That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 1, 2020, titled “2020 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Results.”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY On February 18, 2020 Metro Vancouver launched year two of the “Think Thrice About Your Clothes” (“Think Thrice”) behavior change campaign. The primary objective was to raise awareness of the clothing waste issue and empower residents to take action by focusing on three main areas of clothing waste reduction: reduce, care and repair, and donate. The campaign directed residents to corresponding areas on www.clothesarentgarbage.ca. The media strategy included both broad reach and targeted digital tactics, and delivered over 62 million impressions. Initially, the campaign was slated to be in-market for nine weeks ending April 19, however, due to COVID-19, several campaign tactics were evolved — less of a focus on donate and more of a focus on reduce and repair, and in-market dates were shifted, to maximize efficacy within this challenging situation. Overcoming barriers and effecting long-lasting behaviour change can take several years to achieve, however, results can be measured through campaign engagement, public attitudes research, and clothing disposal metrics identified through Metro Vancouver’s annual waste composition studies. PURPOSE To update the Committee on the results of the 2020 clothing waste reduction campaign, “Think Thrice About Your Clothes.” BACKGROUND Clothing is one of the fastest growing waste streams due to rapidly changing fashion trend cycles and low prices, leading to increased clothing consumption and disposal. Approximately 20,000 tonnes of clothing waste is disposed annually in Metro Vancouver, despite local options to swap, sell or donate unwanted clothing. Metro Vancouver residents throw out an average of 8 kg of clothing per person per year, equivalent to the weight of 44 t-shirts per person per year. 2020 marked the second year of the Think Thrice campaign, a behaviour change campaign which supports Metro Vancouver’s commitment to zero waste. Overcoming barriers and effecting long-lasting behavior change can take several years to achieve and requires a long term commitment. While tangible results can also take several years to identify, they can be measured through campaign engagement, public attitudes research, and clothing disposal metrics identified through Metro Vancouver’s annual waste composition studies.

5.3


http://www.clothesarentgarbage.ca/

2020 Regional Clothing Waste Reduction Campaign Results Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

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This report provides an update on the results of the 2020 Think Thrice campaign, as identified in the 2020 Zero Waste Committee Work Plan. 2020 REGIONAL “Think Thrice About Your Clothes” CAMPAIGN Campaign Timing The campaign was initially planned to be in-market February 18–April 19, 2020. Due to COVID-19, digital ads were paused for six days from March 25–April 6. The campaign overall was adjusted to the new conditions and extended to May 31, 2020, with some elements being postponed until August, 2020. This report covers results of the Think Thrice campaign from February 18–May 31, 2020. Campaign Approach This is the second year of Metro Vancouver’s clothing waste reduction campaign using the “Think Thrice” platform. The campaign’s objectives are to raise awareness of the clothing waste issue and empower residents to take action to reduce their textiles waste (reduce, repair, donate). The 2020 campaign focused on hopeful and action-oriented messaging, while addressing associated barriers to adopting desired behaviours. Insights from the 2019 campaign were leveraged to refine the audience demographics we targeted and strengthen the calls to action. Audiences were directed to the corresponding areas of the www.clothesarentgarbage.ca website. The target audience was adults aged 18–64 for donation and general awareness messages, with some campaign messaging (reduce and repair) skewing toward above average-shoppers and those likely to repair their clothing. However, due to COVID-19, the latter part of the campaign had less of a focus on donate and more of a focus on reduce and repair. Website The campaign website was refreshed to ensure continued accuracy and accessibility, and add new video content and donation information. The campaign website focuses on three main areas of messaging:

Reduce – tips for identifying quality items when purchasing new or second-hand clothing, including rental options.

Repair – tips for better care of clothing, such as washing, drying and stain removal, as well as DIY clothing repair and alteration ideas.

Donate – what to do with unwanted clothing, including information on reselling, repurposing and donating.

o A new video explaining what happens to unwanted clothing once it’s donated was added to the website in 2020.

o Additional information for clothing donation pick-up services or requesting clothing bins in multi-family residential buildings was added to the website in 2020.

Media Strategy The media plan combined digital and out-of-home targeted placements to reach residents throughout Metro Vancouver. Digital tactics included social media (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter), Google Search, online banner ads, YouTube video, native content articles in The Georgia Straight, and Instagram posts from Randa Salloum, award-winning Vancouver fashion and lifestyle




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blogger and influencer. A clothing donation video was developed for use across digital channels. Out-of-home placements included transit shelter ads, SkyTrain posters and a Cineplex Timeplay Game. All tactics drove residents to the campaign website (www.clothesarentgarbage.ca). Community Outreach The campaign originally included eight face-to-face outreach events throughout the region, however, only two outreach events were completed prior to COVID-19 and province-wide health orders limiting gatherings. The remaining six events were cancelled, and an additional six Facebook Live virtual events were introduced as a new tactic for reaching our audience at home. Facebook Live Virtual Events The Facebook Live events provided an opportunity to feature a variety of guest speakers and subject matter experts to engage residents on a range of clothing campaign related messaging and topics during the initial months of COVID-19 (February–April, 2020), while many Metro Vancouver residents were physical distancing and spending more time at home. The live segments were hosted by Karen Storry, Senior Engineer with Metro Vancouver’s Solid Waste Services. While the first event was broadcast from Metro Vancouver’s multimedia studio, the remaining five events were executed virtually, with the host and guest speakers conferencing in from their respective home computers. Each segment covered a different clothing waste reduction-related topic and provided opportunities for residents to engage with subject matter experts to ask questions in real time. The live stream videos were subsequently posted to Metro Vancouver’s Facebook page after each segment, where they generated additional engagement. Topics covered included common clothing repairs, upcycling, denim care and repair, thrifting, and clothing donations. Engagement of Metro Vancouver Members Campaign materials were made available to all Metro Vancouver members, including social media content and co-branded assets like posters and digital billboards. Several members used the materials on their social media channels and throughout their municipalities. Results Website Traffic

The campaign webpages had 38,112 page views (370/day) from February 18–May 31, 2020. Engagement was strong, with high average time on page and low bounce rates.

Besides the landing page, the most visited pages were within the donation section of the website (i.e. ‘Where can I donate my clothes’), indicating there’s still a need to focus campaign messaging on providing information about what clothing can be donated and where.

Earned Media Additional publicity beyond paid advertising included 22 stories between online and print and 13 stories between radio and television. This coverage would be valuated at over $230,000 if it were paid advertising. Digital Media Performance




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The digital components delivered 7,029,614 impressions overall, the majority of which came from Facebook and Instagram.

Twitter, Georgia Straight, YouTube and digital banner ads reached 1,015,143 unique users across Metro Vancouver.

Video ads received 192,264 video views.

The Georgia Straight native content articles delivered a total of 24,839 page views. Out–of-Home Placements

Transit shelter and SkyTrain posters delivered over 54 million impressions.

Cineplex Timeplay ran from February 21–March 16. Advertising was stopped when cinemas closed due to COVID-19. Initial play rate during this time was 14%, which falls within Cineplex’s benchmark range of 10-15%.

o Cinemas recently reopened and the textiles Timeplay game will resume at select theatres from August–September 10, 2020.

Social Media Engagement

Social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) delivered over 4,500,000 impressions and had a reach of 660,000 users across Metro Vancouver.

Social media engagement was quite strong with over 7,000 post engagements (likes, shares, saves, comments, etc.) during the campaign in-market dates.

Posts made by fashion and lifestyle influencer, Randa Salloum, reached over 2,300 different accounts and generated 492 post reactions.

Facebook Live

The six livestream events generated over 40,000 video views and 5,345 post engagements (likes, shares, comments, etc.).

The livestream events were so successful that livestream interactive events are now being incorporated into other campaigns and initiatives.

Plans for 2021 Regional Campaign The campaign will run again in early 2021. It will likely continue to use the existing creative platform, as performance is strong. The target audience and key messages are to be determined, but will be based on insights from 2020’s campaign and any additional data from Solid Waste Services. ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The 2020 clothing campaign was provided within a budget of $150,000 supported under the Zero Waste Communications Program of the 2020 General Government budget, managed by the External Relations Department. The campaign generated approximately $230,000 worth of additional publicity through earned media. CONCLUSION This is the second year of Metro Vancouver’s clothing waste reduction behaviour change campaign using the “Think Thrice” platform. The campaign’s objectives were to raise awareness of the clothing



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waste issue and empower residents to take action to reduce their textiles waste (reduce, repair, donate). The campaign was initially planned to be in-market February 18–April 19, 2020, however, due to COVID-19, the campaign was adjusted to the new conditions — less of a focus on donate and more of a focus on reduce and repair and extended to May 31, 2020. A range of indicators can be employed to measure campaign efficacy and behavior change over time, including engagement, public attitudes research, and changes in clothing disposal identified through Metro Vancouver’s annual solid waste composition studies. The 2020 “Think Thrice About Your Clothes” campaign performed strongly in terms of engagement, despite some challenges presented due to COVID-19. As a result of COVID-19, new tactics, such as the Facebook Live series, were implemented and proved to be a highlight of the 2020 campaign. These learnings, along with the above mentioned indicators, will inform future iterations of the Think Thrice campaign and provide the ability to measure behavior change over time. Attachments: 1. Posters 2. Transit Shelters 3. Social Media Ads 4. Outreach 5. Facebook Live References:

1. Textiles Waste Reduction Website 2. Clothing Donation Video 3. Facebook Live Event: Clothing Donations – April 22, 2020

40804942


http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solid-waste/reduction-reuse/clothing-waste/think-thrice/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.metrovancouver.org/media-room/video-gallery/solid-waste/386598159

https://www.facebook.com/metrovancouver/videos/229132668500677/?v=229132668500677

Posters

ATTACHMENT 1


Transit Shelters

ATTACHMENT 2


Social Media Ads

ATTACHMENT 3


Outreach

Photo: ARCHIVE Consignment Pop-up – February 29, 2020

ATTACHMENT 4


Facebook Live

ATTACHMENT 5


40794563


From: Larina Lopez, Division Manager, Corporate Communications, External Relations Shellee Ritzman, Policy Coordinator, External Relations

Date: August 28, 2020 Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

Subject: 2020 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign

RECOMMENDATION That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated August 28, 2020, and titled “2020 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign”.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The holidays are a heavy consumption season that can result in unnecessary waste. The Create Memories, Not Garbage campaign helps identify where residents can reduce their waste by offering low-waste tips/ideas. Typically, the campaign focuses on two behaviours that residents are most willing to change (wrapping and gifts) but because of enhanced on-line behaviours as a result of COVID-19, how to recycle online shopping packaging (an issue that goes beyond seasonal) and how to create low-waste décor will be added to the messaging mix. Digital, TV, radio and transit ads will reach residents at staggered intervals starting October 5 (for early shoppers) to January 12 (for post-Christmas recycling tips). Creative will continue to encourage residents to try doing just one thing differently to create less waste and will direct residents to the campaign website for inspiration. Campaign performance will be assessed via earned media, website traffic and social media engagement.

PURPOSE To update the Committee on the 2020 “Create Memories, Not Garbage” campaign to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste entering the region’s waste streams during the holiday season.

BACKGROUND The holidays are a heavy consumption season, when customs and traditions can result in unnecessary waste through decorations, gift wrap, packaging, food, and gifts. The Create Memories, Not Garbage (CMNG) behaviour change campaign supports Metro Vancouver’s commitment to zero waste.

The objectives of the campaign are three-fold: • Raise awareness of the needless waste produced over the holiday season• Encourage behaviour change by inspiring audiences to celebrate the holidays in ways that

produce less waste• Reduce the amount of waste produced in the region over the holiday season

The foundation of the campaign is based on the idea that many gift recipients say that their best gift ever is one that was an experience with friends and family, or something that generated memories

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for years to come. The value of the CMNG campaign is to provide tips and ideas that make low-waste celebrating easier for residents, while fostering what makes the holiday season memorable. This report provides an overview of the 2020 CMNG campaign plans, as identified in the 2020 Zero Waste Committee Work Plan. 2020 “CREATE MEMORIES, NOT GARBAGE” CAMPAIGN Campaign Approach 2020 marks the 13th year of Metro Vancouver’s holiday waste reduction campaign, and the 10th year using the “Create Memories, Not Garbage” platform. With each passing year, the campaign has evolved to inspire and support residents looking to make change but perhaps not knowing where to begin. Over the past three years, the CMNG campaign has narrowed its primary messaging to focus on the two behaviours that residents were most receptive to in order to reduce their waste — buying low-waste gifts and using low-waste wrap. The onset of COVID-19 however has shifted consumer behaviour and trends indicate that people are doing more online shopping in general and are searching for Christmas related content earlier than in previous years (particularly décor). Because of this shift in behaviour, the campaign’s focus will be expanded to include more low-waste décor ideas as well as more information on how to reduce and recycle shipping materials (bubble wrap, foam packaging, etc.) — an issue that goes beyond seasonal shopping — with much less emphasis on ‘experience-based’ gifts due to physical distancing measures. The 2020 campaign will be divided into three phases:

• Early Shopper Campaign, October 5–November 1 (shortened by two weeks) • Main Campaign November 2–December 24 (two weeks earlier and longer than previous

years) • Post-Christmas Campaign, December 25–January 10

The campaign will target residents aged 18–54 skewing women aged 18–34 as 2018 omnibus results show that directionally, interest in producing less waste decreases slightly with age. We are also targeting those doing the shopping, wrapping, and decorating for the holidays. The audience remains non-denominational as research shows that Christmas tends to be the main gift-giving occasion for many, including non-Christians. Creative Materials and Campaign Elements Similar to 2019, the CMNG headline will be prominent in all creative with the primary message “This season, do one thing differently to celebrate with less waste.” Users will be encouraged to “find ideas” on the campaign website. Art direction and tone remain festive, positive and evocative of the holiday season. Residents will be directed to the Merry Memory Maker app that’s been live and expanding since 2017 with more than 170 ideas for ‘gifts that last’ or ‘experiences’ at seven different price ranges.



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Main campaign elements include:

• Digital – YouTube, banner ads (Pinterest, Snapchat, Spotify), Corus (native content), CBC (TBC), social media (Facebook, Instagram), Google Search

• Television – Global (:15 second spots and in-news graphics), CBC (:15 second spots TBC) • Radio – :30 second spot on 103.5 QMFM, The Breeze, CFOX, Spotify • Transit – SkyTrain and Canada Line platform posters (TBC pending ridership numbers)

The pre-Christmas time frame will have a heavy digital presence along with transit station posters within high traffic locations. The main campaign window will continue with digital and transit, and add in TV and radio to increase reach and awareness of the message. The layers of placements will build frequency as people go throughout their day. The post-Christmas campaign window reverts back to digital only with Google search, YouTube and banner ads. This low level weight targets the same audiences as earlier in the campaign, but delivers a message focused on post-Christmas activities — recycling, donating, tree disposal, etc. 2019’s CMNG Christmas Carol and music video (featuring local artists Ben and Dan) will be used again this year on radio and social platforms. The singers/actors will also be featured in a series of Facebook Live sessions where their skills and knowledge will be tested on topics such as low-waste wrapping techniques, which wrapping paper can be recycled, and where different online shipping packaging is recycled. Episodes will be promoted on social platforms and will live on the CMNG website. In light of public event cancellations across the region since March 2020, the in-person outreach component of this campaign, typically held at holiday markets, is cancelled this year with the possible exception of outdoor events where physical distancing can be accommodated. Campaign Performance In the absence of regional data around Christmas consumption and waste habits, online metrics will continue to be used to help assess the impact of the campaign, including video views, banner interaction, website traffic and engagement, social media engagement and earned media. Collaboration with Members Campaign details and creative materials are shared via email and regular meetings with members’ communication staff and the Municipal Waste Reduction Coordinators Committee. As with all Metro Vancouver behavior change campaigns, members have opportunities to co-brand all campaign materials and share the creative and messages on their communication channels (social media, facility posters, etc.). ALTERNATIVES This is an information report. No alternatives are presented.



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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The 2020 CMNG campaign budget is $175,000, supported under the Zero Waste Communications Program of the 2020 General Government budget, managed by the External Relations Department. CONCLUSION The Christmas season is a heavy consumption period that can result in excessive waste from disposable decorations, traditional gift wrap, shipping packaging, food, and gifts. While previous campaign years have focused on offering tips and ideas for low-waste gift and wrapping ideas, the increase in online activity resulting from COVID-19 has created new opportunities for low-waste messaging such as how to recycle online shopping packaging — an issue that goes beyond seasonal shopping - and how to create low-waste seasonal décor. Low-waste ideas will be shared with residents through four key channels: digital advertising, television, radio and transit. New to 2020 will be a series of Facebook Live sessions featuring Ben and Dan, the artists/actors who composed, sang and starred in 2019’s CMNG Christmas Carol. The episodes will playfully challenge the artists’ recycling knowledge while providing a learning opportunity for viewers. The overall creative will remain light and festive, and will continue to direct residents to the campaign website where they can find low-waste tips and gift ideas at different price ranges. Campaign performance will be evaluated through online metrics including video views, banner interaction, website traffic and engagement, social media engagement, and earned media. Attachment: Create Memories, Not Garbage Sample Creative References: 1. Create Memories, Not Garbage Website 2. Create Memories, Not Garbage – Merry Memory Maker app 40794563


http://www.metrovancouver.org/christmas

http://www.metrovancouver.org/christmas/memory-maker

Create Memories, Not Garbage Sample Creative

Banner Ads

“Countdown” (animated loop)

“Wrapping” (animated loop)

“Sing-a-long” banner ad (animated loop)

Weather Network banner ad (animated loop)

ATTACHMENT


Google Search

Social Media (carousel images and animated videos)


Videos

CMNG Christmas Song (music video) https://youtu.be/Oak_wbIHyQ8

Wise Wrapping https://vimeo.com/294438746 Holiday Packaging https://vimeo.com/294438763 O Christmas Tree https://vimeo.com/297403147 Reuse or Recycle Wrapping Paper https://vimeo.com/298485651 Merry Memory Maker https://youtu.be/hyCoUoO-VUU

Social Media Stories


https://youtu.be/Oak_wbIHyQ8

https://vimeo.com/294438746




https://youtu.be/hyCoUoO-VUU

39891998


From: Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services

Date: September 11, 2020 Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

Subject: Manager’s Report

RECOMMENDATION That the Zero Waste Committee receive for information the report dated September 11, 2020, titled “Manager’s Report”.

2020 Zero Waste Conference 2020 will celebrate ten years of the Zero Waste Conference. Taking place November 13 in Vancouver, in collaboration with the National Zero Wasted Council, the 2020 conference will bring together a small studio audience with a large virtual audience, and a series of dynamic sessions and curated content are being developed to explore how we can prevent waste and accelerate Canada’s transition to a circular economy in this unique moment in time. The registration fee for virtual participation is $150 with a special rate of $89 for students. The fee to attend the Conference in person will be $350 and in compliance with the Provincial Health Officer direction will be limited to 50 participants.

The theme is Resiliency, Prosperity, Carbon Neutrality - the Circular Economy Solution and sessions are planned on the built environment, new materials and ‘building back better’. Each session will open with a stand-alone keynote and then innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders will discuss and reflect around the opportunities they see for change. The conference will open with a keynote by Beau Lotto, Professor of Neuroscience, University of London and Founder & Director, Lab of Misfits who will speak to the power of creativity and innovation to respond to a rapidly changing world. Included is a session on building back better – instead of returning to the past we turn our head, minds and hands to building a new future – one that is circular in nature designing out waste and pollution in the first place, keeping products and materials in continual cycles of use and reuse, and regenerating natural systems. And we come full circle on plastics. Plastics is the issue that has captured the attention of business, government and citizens over the past three years. A special session at the conference will focus on the opportunity for Canada to accelerate action and can end plastic pollution in a generation – using the findings from a new ground-breaking global study, Breaking the Plastic Wave, as the jumping off point. Learn more at zwc.ca.

Reduction of Single-Use Items Metro Vancouver is developing a behavior change campaign to educate and support the reduction of single-use items with a focus on residents. The reduction of single-use items is a complex issue and Metro Vancouver members have been consulted via the Municipal Waste Reduction Coordinators Committee to determine their approaches and priorities, and to ensure that the campaign will support them. However, COVID-19 has added an additional layer of complexity due to health and safety concerns around reusable items, delaying the development and launch of a campaign. Despite the delays, research was undertaken in July to measure baseline single-use item usage and gauge residents’ attitudes about single-use items. The quantitative research will be repeated in November to measure any changes in single-use item usage as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and

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https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2020/07/23/breaking-the-plastic-wave-top-findings

http://www.zwc.ca/Pages/index.aspx

Manager’s Report Zero Waste Committee Regular Meeting Date: September 18, 2020

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evolves. The research findings will also inform the components and focus of the campaign, with the creative content scheduled to be developed in 2020, and the campaign to launch in 2021.

Electoral Area A Waste and Recycling Barge Clean-up Event Metro Vancouver acts as the local government for Electoral Area A, which includes several remote water access communities. Residents of these communities expressed challenges related to waste disposal as the Electoral Area Official Community Plan was being developed. In response, Metro Vancouver held a number of barge clean-up events. The most recent one was held on August 22 and 23, 2020 for Electoral Area A residents along Pitt Lake. Previous clean-ups were held for Bowyer Island and Passage Island residents in 2016 and for Indian Arm residents in 2019. The events not only provide a much appreciated service of collecting hard to manage waste from the remote cabins, but also protects the environment by providing the proper disposal of household chemicals and recycling where possible.

This year, Metro Vancouver collected various items for recycling including: • 80 cubic yards of scrap metals plus several fridges• 2 mega bags of electronics• 940L of paint• 43 lead acid batteries• 27 propane tanks• 12 large plastic barrel floats

Hazardous materials such as household chemicals were also collected for proper disposal by a specialty contractor. Waste materials that were not suitable for recycling were disposed of at the Coquitlam Transfer Station. Residents were very happy with the events and many expressed their sincerest gratitude to Metro Vancouver for hosting. Metro Vancouver staff intend to, subject to approved budgets, continue to host the clean-up events by rotating through the three water access areas (Howe Sound, Indian Arm and Pitt Lake) every two years. This way, residents will have access to a clean-up event approximately every 6 years. For future clean-ups, Metro Vancouver is open to partnering with adjacent jurisdictions that are along the barge clean-up event routes.

Waste-to-Energy Facility Video A video animation was developed to show a representation of the processes at the Waste-to-Energy Facility to convert garbage into electricity and recover metals. Staff worked with Covanta, who operates the facility on behalf of Metro Vancouver, to enhance and customize one of Covanta’s existing videos to illustrate the complex operations at the facility to a wide audience. The video demonstrates the role of the facility in helping to manage our region’s waste in an environmentally sustainable fashion. The video will be posted on the Metro Vancouver website.

2020 Zero Waste Committee Work Plan The attachment to this report sets out the Committee’s work plan for 2020. The status of work program elements is indicated as pending, in progress or complete. The listing is updated as needed to include new issues that arise, items requested by the Committee and changes in the schedule.

Attachment: Zero Waste Committee 2020 Work Plan


39891998

Zero Waste Committee 2020 Work Plan

Report Date: September 11, 2020 Priorities

1st Quarter Status Surrey Recycling and Waste Drop-Off Facility – Construction Contract Complete National Zero Waste Council Complete 2019 Zero Waste Conference Results Complete 2019 Create Memories Not Garbage Campaign Results Complete 2020 Textiles Campaign Update Complete Solid Waste System Customer Communication Processes Complete Automobile Recycling Complete Provincial Single-Use Item Update Complete Regional Biosolids Management Program Overview Complete Long-Term Financial Plan Pending 2nd Quarter 2019 Commercial/Institutional Waste Composition Monitoring Program Complete Solid Waste Management Plan – Consultation and Engagement Complete 2019 Disposal Ban Inspection Program Complete Waste-to-Energy Facility - Bottom Ash Beneficial Use Procurement Pending Waste-to-Energy Facility – Biosolids Management Business Case and Conceptual Design

Pending

Metro Vancouver's K-12 School Education Programs and Activities Pending Love Food Hate Waste Canada Complete 2019 Food Scraps Campaign Results Complete 2019 Waste-to-Energy Facility Financial Summary Complete 2019 Waste-to-Energy Facility Environmental Performance Summary Complete Solid Waste Innovation Initiatives Complete 3rd Quarter 2020 Budget Update Complete Alternative Fuel and Material Recovery Centre Business Case Pending Solid Waste Management Plan Pending Asset Management Pending Waste-to-Energy Facility - District Energy Business Case Pending Commercial Organics Pending 2020 Zero Waste Conference In progress Extended Producer Responsibility In progress 2020 Textiles Campaign Results In progress Coquitlam Transfer Station Replacement Pending 4th Quarter 2021 Tipping Fee Bylaw Revisions Pending 2021-2025 Financial Plan – Solid Waste Services Pending 2019 Solid Waste and Recycling Annual Report Pending 2019 Regional Solid Waste System Summary Pending 2020 Abandoned Waste Campaign Results Pending Contingency Disposal Contract Pending 2020 Create Memories Not Garbage In progress

ATTACHMENT


September 2, 2020

VIA EMAIL

Metro Vancouver Metrotower III, 4730 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6

Attention: Sav Dhaliwal, Board Chair Linda Buchanan, Board Vice Chair Jack Froese, Chair, Zero Waste Committee

RE: Encorp Beverage Stewardship Plan Consultation: 2020 - 2024

We are writing with respect to Encorp Pacific’s updated 2020 Beverage Container Stewardship Plan, which is currently up for public consultation as required under Section 6 of the Recycling Regulation. Our new Stewardship Plan will replace Encorp’s previous Plan, which was approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in 2014.

We ask and welcome your input prior to the consultation closing date of September 15, 2020. We have highlighted some of the items captured in our new Stewardship Plan below. The full plan can be accessed here. We appreciate you taking the time to review and share your input. Your input is valuable and supports our shared commitment to protect the environment and work together to increase BC’s recycling rates and divert more and more material from our landfills, oceans and waterways.

Overview of Encorp Pacific

Encorp Pacific, better known as Return-It, is an industry owned, not for profit, product stewardship agency with beverage container management as its core business. We have been operating extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs in BC for over 25 years and focused on providing a convenient, efficient and environmentally sustainable network for everyone in BC. We employ over 750 British Columbians and operate the most successful beverage container management program in Canada. Our mandate is to develop, manage and improve systems to recover used packaging and end-of-life products from consumers to ensure that they are recycled and not landfilled or end up in our oceans and waterways. Over the last 25 years, we have diverted more than 20 billion used beverage containers from our oceans and landfills. As the need for recycling solutions for material streams continue to grow at a rapid pace, we are focused on being at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to protect the environment and reduce waste.

Collection System & Consumer Accessibility

Accessibility, convenience and education remain key priority indicators on whether consumers recycle. These indicators are key to evolving our network. The Return-It™ network consists of independently owned and operated Return-It depot collection facilities that have collection agreements with Encorp, as well as corporate Return-It Express Plus locations and Express & GO unstaffed stations.

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https://www.return-it.ca/beverageplan2020

To improve consumer accessibility and convenience, this year, we expanded our Return-It Express program, which is a convenient, contactless and easy recycling experience in under a minute. With deposit refunds uploaded directly through a customer’s online account and redeemed via e-Transfer, Express requires no sorting and has 95% improved customer satisfaction levels.

Our contactless Express program has become even more relevant with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen a large increase in consumers utilizing this service during this time, averaging approximately 300 new Express registrants per day. This change in customer behavior will become the expectation as we evolve the model to provide a better customer experience.

As part of our Return-It Express program, we are expanding the number of Return-It Express Plus and solar paneled Express & GO contactless return stations around the province. Express & GO is a newly developed unstaffed station that can be located in high density urban areas where finding suitable real estate is difficult and also, where viable, in hard to service rural areas where there are not sufficient volumes of material to support a traditional depot. The smaller format is essential to increase accessibility. We currently operate three Express & GO stations (North Vancouver transfer station, Tofino and Burnaby’s SFU campus) with new stations being located in partnership with major retailers or large shopping centres and with interested municipalities. These stations also have longer recycling hours to accommodate today’s busy schedules.

Return-It Express Plus are corporately owned facilities that are built to support a one stop recycling experience. The facility provides customers with Express services along with a select variety of other EPR program materials. These corporate Express Plus locations may also be used as a sorting or consolidation site for a hub and spoke center to facilitate the sorting and counting of containers collected through nearby Express & GO stations.

Expanding Products Covered under our Stewardship Plan

Encorp updated its 2020 Stewardship Plan to expand the acceptable products to include aluminum alcohol containers and manage both alcohol and non-alcohol aluminum containers as a combined stream within our system. Currently, aluminum alcohol cans are the responsibility of and covered under the Brewers Recycled Container Collection Council (BRCCC) and Brewers Distributor Limited (BDL) recycling system. Only some Return-It depots have a BRCCC/BDL license to manage alcohol containers. Currently, when consumers visit a Return-It depot and recycle their aluminum beverage containers for a cash refund they need to separate their alcohol and non-alcohol aluminum cans given this material is managed by two different stewardship agencies.

As it relates to the deposit for aluminum alcohol cans, only those Return-It depots that have a BRCCC/BDL license and commercial agreement to manage and be financially compensated for this material provide the consumer with a full 10 cent deposit refund. Over 50% of Return-It depots do not have a license or commercial agreement from BRCCC/BDL to manage and be financially compensated for aluminum alcohol cans. However, since consumers still bring and expect to return their aluminum alcohol and non-alcohol cans at the same Return-It depot for recycling, these small business owners will still accept the aluminum alcohol cans but do not have the same financial resources to provide the consumer with a full deposit refund. As a result, consumers may receive a partial deposit refund to cover the depot’s costs for the handling of these containers.


The discounting of a customer’s deposit refund for aluminum alcohol containers at Return-It depots without a BRCCC/BDL license has led to a lot of customer dissatisfaction and confusion with the Return-It recycling system, which has an impact on our system and if left unchecked could have a material impact on diverting material from our landfills, oceans and waterways. Our customers have also told us that they want to be able to recycle and receive a full deposit refund at any Return-It location and do not have the time to visit two collection sites to recycle their aluminum cans.

As a result, in July 2020, we launched a six month aluminum can pilot at select Return-It depots to make it easier and more convenient for consumers to return both alcohol and non-alcohol aluminum beverage containers as one stream, with one deposit for recycling. This pilot simplifies the system and makes it easier and more convenient for consumers to recycle. Since the pilot launched, consumer discount complaints on aluminum alcohol containers has decreased by 65%.

We would like to permanently manage this material beyond the six month pilot and ask for your support and feedback to have it permanently included in our Stewardship Plan.

We thank you for taking the time to review our updated Stewardship plan and look forward to your feedback. Your input and feedback can be shared either directly with myself or through [email protected].

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Regards,

ENCORP PACIFIC (CANADA)

Allen Langdon President & CEO

Cc: Jerry Dobrovolny, Chief Administrative Officer, Metro Vancouver Paul Henderson, General Manager, Solid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver Andrew Doi, Environmental Planner, Solid Waste Planning, Metro Vancouver



� metrovancouver � SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS FOR A LIVABLE REGION

SEP 11 2020

Allen Langdon, President & CEO

Encorp Pacific (Canada)

100-4259 Canada Way

Burnaby, BC V5G 4Y2

VIA EMAIL: [email protected]

Dear Mr. Langdon:

Solid Waste Services

Tel. 604 432-6400 Fax 604 451 -6180

File: CR-24-03-EPR-1

Encorp Beverage Stewardship Plan Consultation: 2020-2024

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the Beverage Container Stewardship Plan

2020-2024. We commend Encorp for its exceptionally high consumer awareness and consumer

access achievements over the past 25 years. Metro Vancouver and member jurisdiction staff have

participated in consultation events and reviewed the Stewardship Plan, and submit the following staff

comments for consideration.

Return-It Express & GO

Return-It Express, which allows consumers to bundle beverage container returns and receive deposit

refunds into their Return-It account, is an important innovation. The recent collaboration between

Encorp and Metro Vancouver to initiate Return-It Express & GO collection at the North Shore Transfer

Station has been a notable success and accounts for over 150,000 beverage containers per month.

Metro Vancouver is working with Encorp to expand the Express & GO service to other Metro

Vancouver transfer stations. Encorp is encouraged to continue to expand and enhance the Express

and Express & GO program.

Aluminum Beer Containers

The approach suggested in the Stewardship Plan to provide a single collection network for all

aluminum containers (alcohol and non-alcohol) may improve consumer convenience through

integrating collection programs. Further details regarding this approach, related to topics such as

financial transparency, impacts to return-to-retail collection and data monitoring and reporting,

would be helpful for stakeholders to understand the potential implications of this approach.

Secondary Packaging

The Stewardship Plan proposes to collect and recycle secondary packaging for beverage containers,

such as boxboard or plastic film (included in the packaging and paper product category), at Return-It

depots. The collection and recycling of secondary packaging provided by Encorp, will allow beverage

producers to seek a certificate of recycling, or credit, for the recycling of packaging through the

4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada VSH OC6 I 604-432-6200 I metrovancouver.org

Metro Vancouver Regional District I Greater Vancouver Water District I Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District I Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation

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Allen Langdon, Encorp Pacific (Canada) Encorp Beverage Stewardship Plan Consultation: 2020-2024

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Recycle BC program. In addition, this packaging recycling opportunity provides enhanced convenience for consumers and depot operators. Further details on how this approach will be implemented, such as whether all depots and return-to-retail location will collect secondary packaging, would be helpful.

Return-to-Retail The Stewardship Plan identifies 455 return-to-retail locations within the province, directly serviced by Encorp, together contributing 5% of the amount of beverage containers collected. Please provide an analysis of the rate of utilization of return-to-retail in urban areas, like Metro Vancouver. In addition, further details on the number and type of return-to-retail locations would be helpful for stakeholders.

Recovery Rate Target In the 2014-2018 Stewardship Plan, Encorp developed a 5-year weighted average in setting performance targets. During consultations in 2018, 2019, and 2020, Encorp representatives stated that a 5-year weighted average was not used in setting new performance targets. The Stewardship Plan did not identify the reasons why Encorp is changing methodologies and further clarity would be helpful for stakeholders to understand the underlying factors in the new methodology for setting performance targets. Perhaps it would be possible for Encorp to demonstrate both methodologies used to determine performance targets, and then conduct a comparison.

Thanks again for the opportunity to comment on Encorp's draft stewardship plan, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with Encorp on a range of initiatives to help increase diversion of beverage containers and other products.

Sincerely,


PH/ad

cc: Teresa Conner, Unit Head, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Leeanne Fraser, Senior Policy Analyst, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Lucas Harris, Senior Policy analyst, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

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