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Solid Waste & Recycling Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing and disposal June/July 2013
PNEUMATIC COLLECTION Automated Systems Make Inroads in Canada — page 8
CPMP No. 40069240
An EcoLog Group Publication
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Solid Waste & Recycling
CONTENTS June/July 2013 Volume 18, Number 3
Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing & disposal
COVER STORY The MariMatic (MetroTaifun) pneumatic automated collection system from Finland is set to make inroads in Canada’s waste infrastructure. We look at the technology and its practical applications. by Guy Crittenden
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Cover art by Charles Jaffe
COLLECTION: VACUUM TECHNOLOGY
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
DIVERSION: ANAEROBIC DIGESTION A look at Toronto’s new Disco Road AD facility by Ian Dickenson
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RECYCLING: FILM Results from a study on film plastics processing and diversion. by Mike Birett
SPECIAL REPORT
SPOTLIGHT NORFOLK DISPOSAL A profile of Norfolk Disposal on its 50th anniversary. — page 22
Diversion, pg. 16
Recycling, pg. 29
29
Editorial
4
Up Front
6
News
32
Organic Matters
34
Waste Business
36
IC&I Waste
37
Regulation Roundup
39
Ad Index
41
Blog
42
NEXT EDITION: August/September 2013 Edi torial: Individual stewardship plans (ISPs). Carpet recycling. MBT treatment. MRF equipment. Robotics. Space closing: July 25, 2013. Artwork required: August 1, 2013.
IC&I Waste, pg. 37
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EDITORIAL
by Guy Crittenden “Our surveys show readers think landfills should be constructed like other municipal infrastructure.”
Landfill legacy Painting the long-term picture for stake holders
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n March 6 , 2013, the public works magazine American City & County published an article, “Creating a Great Landfill Legacy,” by Brian Tippetts, treasurer for the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the Director for the Solid Waste Division of Applied Ecological Services, Inc. The article argues that, done well, landfills can be “a conservation jewel and a source of great value for local residents.” The terms “landfill” and “great legacy” aren’t usually thought of together, so Tippetts’ insights are refreshing. As everyone knows in this business, the challenge of siting new landfills (or expanding existing ones) is not lack of space, but rather local public opposition and the cost of overcoming it, when this is even possible. Tippetts notes landfills are a fact of life that control hundreds or even thousands of acres of land. The public may abstractly support “zero waste”, but (in general) continue to behave as traditional consumers, buying more stuff (and packaging) and generating more waste, year over year. Until we transform our consumption patterns, we’re stuck with the need for some amount of disposal capacity. As with waste-to-energy facilities, landfills should at least be well designed and properly maintained. Modern landfills are not, of course, the “dump sites” of the past, which simply buried waste in unlined pits. In the early 20th century even this rudimentary technology represented a positive step in the early “sanitation” movement, reducing vectors and disease associated with solid waste in much the same way that the then-new municipal waterworks infrastructure was preventing cholera outbreaks and other problems. However, “leachate” from the pits contaminated aquifers over time and garnered a poor reputation for landfills that lingers to this day, despite modern landfills being fairly high-tech operations with systems to pump and treat leachate, siphon off methane gas (and burn it for energy), and control the machines on the “working face” of the landfill with digital GPS systems. Tippetts argues that a landfill property, footprint and buffer, can be repurposed for a variety of uses, best achieved via a credible plan that articulates a vision, proposes an implementation schedule (part of which should be put into effect immediately), and a reliable funding source. He says the public doesn’t see added value in end-use plans with vague descriptions of open green space. Better, he suggests, to paint a picture of an attractive end use, and demonstrate how the funds will be collected to make it real. Of course, one of the main reasons people oppose landfill projects is from concern that property values will be negatively affected. Tippetts suggests tax tools can be used to offset these concerns, and the attractive end-use can minimize local housing marketplace disruption. Tippetts suggests that a landfill property end-use plan should take a
Golf driving range on former landfill site.
“multi-use resource approach.” This means protecting the landfill’s environmental infrastructure (e.g., leachate treatment and gas collection) while providing for recreational opportunities such as natural areas for hiking, birding, biking, etc. (This brings to mind a TV ad that Waste Management Inc. once sponsored wherein people enjoyed a round of golf on lush lands that had once been a landfill.) The public is more likely to accept a landfill if it’s positioned by proponents as the necessary final stage of a waste minimization process. The property could, for example, allow space for planned recycling operations, organics processing and waste transfer. People want to know it’s part of a scheme to deal with the waste locally, and they want to know that anything that can be recycled or composted is removed first. (In this regard, the so-called “stabilized” landfill concept is popular.) Proponents act in the interest of the community, Tippetts says, when they permanently establish natural areas, create naturalized storm-water controls, provide low-impact recreational opportunities, and (where possible) connect to neighboring ecological and recreational areas. “Such ecological restorations,” he states, “may take place only in landfill buffers or possibly throughout the entire site.” Over the years, our publication has surveyed opinions from waste management professionals on a range of issues; one of the most consistent views readers express is that landfills should be sited and constructed like any other municipal infrastructure. It is odd how much more readily people accept a water treatment plant, say, over any facility that handles waste. Though we may wish it were otherwise, public skepticism over landfills is likely to continue, along with the need for them as we continue to consume, consume, consume. So let’s follow Tippetts’ suggestion and create inspiring end-use plans for landfills, and provide the credible funding mechanisms to make them a reality. Guy Crittenden is editor of this magazine. Contact Guy at gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com
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CWSS Bro
Canadian Waste Sector Symposium ‘Waste to ResouRces’ November 18-20, 2013 — Hyatt Regency Hotel, Montreal, QC Room Reservations available on the website at www.canwastesectorsymposium.ca
PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2013 CANADIAN WASTE SECTOR SYMPOSIUM
T
he CWSS is a 2 1/2 day event providing waste facility tours, over 30 workshop sessions, several networking opportunities, evening cocktail receptions — PLUS free entrance into the Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo that begins on November 20th, 2013 at the Palais de Congres in Montreal. The CWSS is the premier waste sector event for the priviate and public sector leaders in Canada’s waste management sector.
Michele Goulding, Symposium Manager Ontario Waste Management Association 905-791-9500 — Mgoulding@owma.org The Canadian Waste Sector Symposium (CWSS) will be held in Montreal with show organizer, Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA), and sponsor partners Conseil des Entreprises de Services Environnementaux (C.E.S.E.) and RÉSEAU environnement. Solid Waste & Recycling Magazine is the official publication of the CWSS.
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Solid Waste & Recycling
Canada’s magazine on collection, hauling, processing & disposal
Guy Crittenden Editor gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com Brad O’Brien Publisher bobrien@solidwastemag.com Dave Douglas Account Manager ddouglas@bizinfogroup.ca Sheila Wilson Art Director Kimberly Collins Market Production Anita Madden Circulation Manager Carol Lenoury Mgr EcoLog Group Bruce Creighton President Business Information Group
UPFRONT
Ontario gets serious about EPR
Contributing Editors Michael Cant, Rosalind Cooper, Maria Kelleher, David McRobert, Clarissa Morawski, Usman Valiante, Paul van der Werf Award-winning magazine Solid Waste & Recycling magazine is published six times a year by EcoLog Information Resources Group, a division of BIG Magazines LP, a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., a leading Canadian businessto-business information services company that also publishes HazMat Management magazine and other information products. The magazine is printed in Canada. Solid Waste & Recycling provides strategic information and perspectives on all aspects of Canadian solid waste collection, hauling, processing and disposal to waste managers,haulers, recycling coordinators, landfill and compost facility operators and other waste industry professionals. Subscription Rates: Canada: $52.95 (add applicable taxes) per year, $85.95 (add applicable taxes) for 2 years, single copy $10.00. USA: 1 Year $55.95; 2 Years $91.95. Foreign: 1 Year $85.95; 2 Years $134.95. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 40069240 Information contained in this publication has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, thus Solid Waste & Recycling cannot be responsible for the absolute correctness or sufficiency of articles or editorial contained herein. Articles in this magazine are intended to convey information rather than give legal or other professional advice. Reprint and list rental services are arranged through the Publisher at (416) 510-6798. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department, Solid Waste & Recycling 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto ON M3B 2S9 From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Phone: 1-800-268-7742 Fax: 416-510-5148 E-Mail: jhunter@businessinformationgroup.ca Mail to: Privacy Officer Business Information Group 80 Valleybrook Drive Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. © 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent. Print edition: ISSN-1483-7714
Online edition: ISSN-1923-3388
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Ontario Minister of the Environment Jim Bradley.
n June 6, 2013 Ontario Minister of the Environment Jim Bradley released the long-awaited draft Waste Reduction Act, 2013 (WDA) for a 90-day public review and comment period. The proposed Act would replace the existing Waste Diversion Act, 2002 and, if passed, would establish “individual” producer financial and environmental responsibility as a new approach to achieving waste diversion. Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an approach that makes manufacturers and importers responsible for the end of life management costs of their products and packaging. EPR is favoured by environmentalists as it ends what they see as a disposal or recycling subsidy from municipal ratepayers and (most importantly), by sticking producers with the cost, gives them an incentive to design products differently to eliminate waste, and use packaging that’s economically recyclable. But many EPR programs (sometimes called “product stewardship”) have been criticized for allowing producers to form collective recycling agencies, stick an advance recycling fee on products (an “eco fee”), and make no changes to how they produce and distribute goods (thus defeating the whole point of EPR). Such agencies can also interrupt competitive markets for collection and recycling services, effectively creating service monopolies. Bradley’s proposed legislation has been praised by environmental groups and waste collection and recycling companies for making companies “individually” responsible for end of life management of their product wastes, and disallowing visible eco fees, i.e., forcing them to internalize costs. (See article, page 42.) The draft legislation would also create a new Waste Reduction Authority and remove the cap industry pays municipalities for handling its wastes. The draft Act and strategy and several other pieces of information are available on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca Comments are invited, in writing, for 90 days with submissions due by September 4, 2013. NOTE: This magazine will provide analysis on this important legislation in the next edition and also on our website www.solidwastemag.com
The Forest Stewardship Council® logo signifies that this magazine is printed on paper from responsibly managed forests. “To earn FSC® certification and the right to use the FSC label, an organization must first adapt its management and operations to conform to all applicable FSC requirements.” For more information, visit www.fsc.org
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UPFRONT WASTE 2 PRODUCT & ENERGY CLEANTECH CONFERENCE
(left) OTS’ Andrew Horsman spoke about stewardship and products made from scrap tires. (inset) Delegates at the conference enjoyed the comfortable modern facilities of the BMO Learning Centre.
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n Wednesday, May 29 more than 70 delegates attended the successful one-day conference on issues related to converting waste into products or energy using clean technology. The event — presented by Solid Waste & Recycling magazine — was held at the excellent facilities of the BMO Institute for Learning at 3550 Pharmacy Avenue in Toronto, Ontario. The conference was designed to allow delegates a chance to explore the interesting new markets of waste as a resource — a concept that’s coming to fruition as more Canadian jurisdictions implement extended producer responsibility programs for materials that were once simply landfilled, and as policymakers look for green energy solutions from discrete waste streams or residual wastes. Delegates were presented with information on environmental impacts, case studies, investment opportunities, and the latest technologies. Where many people think of energy from waste as being all about incineration, Enerkem’s Commercial Development Manager Sonia Nour spoke about making transportation fuels from waste. Covanta Energy’s Joey Neuhoff told the audience all about Ontario’s new full-scale wasteto-energy plant in Durham Region. Later in the afternoon the Region of Durham’s
Gioseph Anello reviewed the planning and approvals process the project proponents had to follow to make their project a reality. Neuhoff was followed by Algonquin Power’s Peter Bulionis who spoke about his company’s plant that has operated for 20 years in Peel Region and is now seeking new customers from across the province. Jason Naccarato, VP-Development with the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, reviewed the role waste-to-energy is playing in making that Northern Ontario community a leader in the alternative energy field. The waste-to-energy presentations were balanced out by businesses that make products from recycled materials. In his talk “Roll Up a Winner,” Richard White, president of Aspera Recycling, told delegates about how his company produces carpets from waste materials. Similarly, Recover Canada’s Simon Zysman spoke about mattress recycling in his presentation, “Sleeping Beauty.” Converting plastic to wax was covered by GreenMantra’s founder and CEO Pushkar Kumar; Kumar was followed by Ontario Tire Stewardship’s Andrew Horsman who reviewed opportunities and innovation for that material stream. Environmental Business Consultants’
John Nicholson tied it all together with his talk on eco-industrial parks that create green jobs and sustainability. (See article, page 36.) During lunch, the macro-perspective on regulation and government initiatives was presented by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s John Armiento, who is supervisor of the Waste Diversion Unit. The program ended with Michael Scott, CEO of Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) addressing the subject of why we should care about diverting waste in the first place. The event organizers wish to thank their official sponsors: Algonquin Power, Ontario Electronic Stewardship, the Consulate of the Netherlands, Ontario Tire Stewardship, and Recover Canada Limited. Based on the success of the event, Solid Waste & Recycling magazine will likely produce a similar conference in 2014. Stay tuned! Learn about other upcoming environmental events produced or sponsored by this magazine by visiting events.hazmatmag.com To learn about speaking and sponsorship opportunities, contact Lee Baker at 416510-5221 or lbaker@bizinfogroup.ca
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COVER STORY
Automated Solid Waste Collection The MetroTaifun vacuum-pressure underground collection system
by Guy Crittenden “Auger-type equipment forms and sizes waste for transport via underground pipes under vacuum pressure.”
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T
he collection aspect of North American waste management system planning tends to be very “truck” focused. However, in Europe and elsewhere, alternative systems exist that are beginning to garner local attention. Just as deep underground collection containers like the Finland-based Molok now offer an alternative to wheeled collection bins for recyclables, organics and residual material, Finland has also originated “pneumatic” or vacuum waste collection systems that are finding favour in hundreds of communities worldwide. June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 9
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COVER STORY
In the MetroTaifun pneumatic system, materials are placed in above-ground segregated receptacles (left) from where they’re transported to a central collection/ transfer building (right) from where they’re shipped to different processors.
Vacuum or “automated” waste collection is a simple concept that might nevertheless seem startling to people in Canada and the United States, habituated to large waste collection trucks noisily picking up waste materials from curbsides, set out in bags or carts, or from big bins in laneways or behind commercial buildings. With automated collection, material is placed in ground-level containers from where it falls into special auger-type equipment that forms and sizes it for transport via underground pipes under vacuum pressure to a central plant. The systems allow dry recyclables, wet organics and residual waste to be segregated at the source — much as in cart- or bag-based systems. Roadside vehicles only become involved when it’s time to transport the segregated materials from the central plant (which functions much like a transfer station) to markets or final disposal sites. The problem with automated collection has been that the systems can be costly and difficult to install, triggering a high initial investment
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and large operating expense. Systems with large pipes consume a lot of energy, and can therefore be expensive.
A NEW SOLUTION MariMatic Oy of Vantaa, Finland (marimatic.com) — part of Göran Sundholm’s MariCap group — has researched and developed an improved pneumatic system that overcomes these challenges. The company has the largest research facility in the world for pneumatic waste collection technology, which has yielded two product lines: the TaifunT, launched in the 1980s for use in the food industry, and the MetroTaifun®, launched in 2010, which is specifically designed for subterranean conveyance of urban waste. The number of systems supplied has already topped 700, distributed throughout more than 40 countries. After the loose or bagged waste material is deposited in the streetlevel container, it falls into a “waste formator” which rapidly forms the
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COVER STORY
A Leading Waste Management Company
Composting Biosolids Management Landfill Gas Commercial Organics Waste Haulage Transfer Services Building Performance Grease Trap Services Landfill Disposal PO Box 100, Thorold, ON L2V 3Y8 905.680.1900 www.walkerind.com June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 11
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COVER STORY
Left: Vacuum systems pull segregated waste, recycling and organic streams into separate containers. Right: This detail of a system installation in an apartment complex shows below-ground access to the waste forming equipment.
nodes to the place of storage in the central building. (Pipelines can extend up to four kilometres from the waste collection facility.) The composite pipe is easily fused together and is flexible, which creates more varied installation possibilities. Composite pipe is less prone to corrosion allowing for a longer life (e.g., 50 years).
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
material to fit in small 200 mm pipes. This size of pipe is highly beneficial; installation costs are lower — by more than 25 per cent — and space is saved from the smaller pipe size (200 mm compared to 500 mm). Fewer pipe corners cuts installation time in half. Most importantly, less energy is consumed creating the necessary vacuum inside the pipes to pull the waste from the various deposition
MariMatic Oy realized its customers wouldn’t settle for having all the waste streams commingled, so its engineers designed a system with different vacuum machines at the central plant that can selectively retrieve the different waste and recycling streams from the various input points. In other words, the waste is segregated and transported underground, much as different trucks, or trucks with different compartments, might collect and transport material aboveground, on lanes and roadways. Radio frequency identification (RFID) can be used with the system to support a user-pay type of set up. This technology also adds an element of security and control of the actual users. (Users are issued individual swipe cards that open the ground-level bins.)
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Overview of a complete system. Inset at left shows equipment in MariMatic’s research and test facility in Finland. Inset at right compares MetroTaifun’s thin pipe system with the larger waste pipes used by competitors.
The large “final” waste containers are out of sight in buildings that do double duty as transfer stations. In terms of energy, the MetroTaifun typical power requirement is around 150 kW, compared to around 600 kW for other systems. Operational energy consumption compares favourably as well. Where truck and bin systems consume the equivalent of 100 kWh per tonne of waste, and other automated vacuum systems may consume more than 150 kWh/t, the MetroTaifun system requires less than 50 kWh/t. In case anyone is worried about the works getting gummed up, the company provides a unique blockage removal system, a flushing and drying system, as well as a pipe cleaning system. Think of it as being like a pipe and sewer system for garbage and recyclables, but it’s based on vacuum suction rather than hydraulics.
Importantly, the waste formation equipment beneath the groundlevel bins is fully accessible for maintenance and repair underground.
NEW MARKETS In 2012 the company turned over approximately 15 million Euros and order book of 60 million Euros. Installations range from housing complexes and industrial complexes to whole municipal areas. “We’re actively exploring the environmental and operational benefits of pneumatic collection systems for new high density developments in Markham,” says Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager Waste & Environmental Management for the City of Markham, Ontario. “We’re excited by the potential of these systems to both increase participation and diversion in developments where recycling has been
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a challenge,” she says. Discussions are underway with developers and municipal officials in other jurisdictions across the country. “Examples of suitable sites for automated collection include parks, shopping centres, airports and multi-function sports arenas and entertainment facilities,” says Kerry LeBreton of Renewaste of Lively, Ontario (MariMatic Oy’s partner in Canada and the United States). “Other examples include large hospitals and health care complexes,” Le Breton adds. To date, the largest installation worldwide has been in Mecca, where millions of people pay homage during Ramadan, presenting unique waste management challenges. This system, which has a 900 t/day capacity, demanded extensive design work. The installation is mainly inside buildings, in tunnels and culverts; thus co-ordination with other infrastructure and services was vital.
Even whole municipalities can be served by automated collection. A new suburban development, being built in the City of Tampere, Finland, will be home to 13,000 inhabitants, creating approximately 5,000 jobs along the way. The suburb of Vuores will have a total of 124 collection points and 368 waste inlets, plus 13,000 m of pipeline. The system’s daily collection capacity for dry waste, bio waste, paper and recyclable cardboard comes to a combined total of 13,000 kilos. Annually, the system will deal with 1.9 kg of residential waste, and 650,000 kg of office waste, sorted into four different fractions. The system was scheduled to start collecting waste in 2012. Guy Crittenden is editor of this magazine. Contact Guy at gcrittenden@solidwastemag.com June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 15
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DIVERSION
by Ian Dickenson “The $74 million designbuild-operate project involved AECOM as the prime contractor and designer.”
Anaerobic Organics Processing Toronto’s new Disco Road green bin processing facility
A
naerobic treatment processing technology offers value and efficacy for cities that seek resilience in managing wastes and that wish to lead in resource stewardship. Toronto’s new Disco Road green bin processing facility is North America’s first full-scale municipal source-separated organic (SSO) waste processing operation to use anaerobic digestion (AD). By pro-
cessing organics with this technology, the city is now able to divert more waste from disposal, generate and collect biogas as a recoverable resource, and supply digested nutrient-rich material for commercial compost. The plant is one of Toronto’s most significant new infrastructure assets.
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DIVERSION
Toronto’s new Disco Road green bin processing facility integrates anaerobic digestion technology with stringent odour and wastewater management systems to achieve optimal operational and safety performance.
RAMPING UP The green organic waste bin has become as ubiquitous as its blue recycling counterpart in Toronto since its launch city-wide (for singlefamily homes collection) in 2002. The program has been a remarkable success; the city collected more than 100,000 tonnes of organics in 2012. Nearly 90 per cent of residents reported they regularly use their green bins, according to research from the Municipal Waste Association (MWA). This is one of the highest participation rates in the country. The Disco Road organics facility expands and improves Toronto’s current SSO processing capacity. Toronto’s work with anaerobic digestion technology began in 2002 when it opened the Dufferin green bin processing facility. Designed to serve as a technology testing site, the Dufferin plant was initially designed for a throughput capacity of 25,000 tonnes of
organics per year. With tests demonstrating the viability of processing and digesting the city’s collected green bin material, Toronto announced plans in 2009 to build a new and larger anaerobic digestion plant at its existing Disco Road waste management property, located near the city’s north-west border. The $74 million design-build-operate project involved AECOM as the prime contractor and designer, its joint-venture partner E.S. Fox as the constructor, and its sub-contractor Veolia Water as the operator. The facility’s anaerobic digestion system was supplied by CCI BioEnergy (the Canadian licensee of BTA International, a Germany-based firm holding the technology patent). Commissioning is to commence in June 2013 and will continue until January 2014.
AD PROCESSING Anaerobic digestion’s established track record in the treatment of municipal wastewater made
it an ideal technology to apply to Toronto’s organic waste. Drawing on lessons from the Dufferin plant and the prime contractor’s team (who worked on similar projects in Europe), the Disco Road plant was designed to adapt and optimise anaerobic digestion for the city’s needs. Trucks deliver curbside-collected green bin material to the facility by trucks, depositing their loads onto a tip floor. From there, the organics are transferred into two hoppers via a front loader. The organics are then conveyed into one of three hydropulpers, and process water is added for batch processing. The hydropulpers remove any green bin contaminants by separating them into a light fraction (e.g., plastic, wood and textiles) and a heavy fraction (e.g., bone, stone, glass, batteries, cutlery and other metals) and transforms the organics into a homogenized waste suspension. (The ability to separate these incidental materials supports wider public participation
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Two enclosed conveyor belts transport incoming curbside-collected green bin material to loading hoppers, which feed the hydropulpers for processing.
Canada’s ONLY trade event serving the waste, recycling and public works markets
as residents can use plastic bags to collect and store their household organics.) A grit removal system removes sand, glass splinters and other fine materials not removed in the hydropulpers. This step serves two purposes: contaminant removal safeguards the processing equipment downstream (i.e., digesters and pumps). It also ensures the final compost product meets the most stringent Category AA level (established under Ontario’s new guidelines for commercial compost). The waste suspension is then transferred to a suspension buffer tank, which feeds two anaerobic digesters continuously (24/7). The digestate is mixed by re-injection of a portion of the produced digester gas back into the digesters via internal gas lances; external tube heat exchangers maintain the digesters at mesophilic temperatures (32 to 35 degree C). The digesters achieve 21 days hydraulic retention time when the facility is operating at 55,000 tonnes per year throughput capacity (and 14 days retention time for 75,000 tpy of throughput capacity). The digester gas (or biogas) generated from the digesters is used in dual-fuel boilers within the facility (biogas and natural gas). Remaining biogas is flared off using a wastegas burner. Plans currently being reviewed by the city for consideration include upgrades to allow the conversion of the biogas into biomethane, which could be fed into the local gas distribution system. The digested solids are then dewatered by
November 20 - 21, 2013
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DIVERSION
Constructing the digestion tanks.
two centrifuges. (The liquids collected from the centrifuges are captured for re-use in the facility’s operations.) The digested dewatered solids are loaded into waiting truck trailers for eventual composting.
SMART URBAN FOOTPRINT Besides its AD processing system, the Disco Road facility’s second innovation is its compact design and stringent odour and waste water management systems; these allow organics to be safely and efficiently processed inside Toronto’s boundaries. The facility is located approximately 30-ki lometres northwest of the city’s downtown core, just east of Toronto Pearson International Airport. This location’s proximity to major arterial roads and inner city highways helps achieve lower transport times and fleet fuel usage. However, it also makes it necessary to eliminate potential environmental impacts on neighbours. A team of AECOM geotechnical, wastewater, air management and environmental engineers (and other specialists) managed an
integrated design approach to prepare the facility’s site and ensure its operations in accordance with the city’s needs. The design incorporates the waste receiving and pre-treatment system, AD system, a wastewater treatment system, administration offices and mess facilities, as well as a surface-water storage pond and access road — all within a 10,000-square metre site. The location sits atop a former landfill site, which required incorporating a piled foundation and a passive landfill gas collection system to the site plan. Controlling odours was critical for the city. The facility operates under a negative-pressure environment while fans draw odorous air from within to a high capacity bio-filter system consisting of six cells of inorganic media in a concrete vessel. Treated air is then dispersed via a 40 metre high stack. As AD is water-intensive, a water re-use strategy minimizes the use of potable water. Wastewater is treated on-site and then re-enters the system (to a large extent to be used again for processing). A range of quality grades was established
to determine the water quality required for different processing steps. For example, the water used for the hydropulper batch process only requires the lowest quality grades; liquids are sourced from the facility’s tip floor sumps, press waters and floor drains as well as from the centrifuges after solid-liquid-separation. To satisfy the demand for higher grade waters within the facility, other components and source sites within the plant are used. These provide a total of six separate grades of water, including a passive rainwater collection system. Potable water is thereby limited to a small number of specialized functions, such as the facility’s odour control unit, the cleaning of sensitive monitoring instruments, and a backup source for topping up buffer tanks. The system’s remaining wastewater is treated on-site before it’s sent to the municipal sewer system (meeting city bylaw discharge standards).
BUILDING ON A SUCCESS The Disco Road plant helps Toronto increase its processing capacity by up to 75,000 tonnes
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DIVERSION
The air treatment system.
per year. But the city needs to further grow its capacity as it seeks to eventually expand its green bin program to condos and multi-unit apartments. With this goal in mind, Toronto is currently enlarging its Dufferin facility. When
completed in 2016, the expanded Dufferin plant will complement Disco Road’s processing capacity by an additional 55,000 tonnes. For additional details, visit www.toronto.ca/ involved/projects/disco_greenbin/
Ian Dickenson is Director, Alternative Delivery, Water with AECOM in Markham, Ontario. Contact Ian at ian.dickinson@aecom.com
To solve the toughest problems you have to look at the world differently. By focusing on recycling and recovery, we push beyond conventional thinking and find cost-effective solutions to transform industrial residues back into valuable products. For example, through our coast to coast facility network last year we recovered 2 million barrels of oil, creating millions of dollars in value for our customers. There are better ways to think about waste.
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SPOTLIGHT
by Chris Thomas
Norfolk Disposal A waste management company celebrates 50 years
T
he impeccably kept blue-and-white trucks and containers of Norfolk Disposal Services Limited, dot the landscape of the north shore of Lake Erie from Aylmer, north to Woodstock and Brantford and east to Caledonia in southern Ontario. Headquartered in the centrally located small town of Waterford, Norfolk Disposal’s fleet of trucks and bins are ubiquitous in the area. The business, which began with a single truck 50 years ago this spring, now boasts 47 vehicles and nearly 3,000 containers. Founded by Louis Debono, Norfolk Disposal has become a major player in the waste management industry. The Debono family moved to the Waterford area from Toronto to grow vegetables and cole crops. The farm operation included a single truck to transport crops to market during the evening hours. To get greater use from his truck, Louis decided to utilize it for garbage hauling. Rental drop-off containers were added later. Timing of the fledgling business was propitious as a massive industrialization of the area (including an Ontario Hydro generating station,
“‘The industry is still in its infancy and growing,’ Louis says. ‘I don’t think there’s a limit.’”
an oil refinery and a $2-billion steel plant) kick-started significant local residential and commercial growth. Initially content to haul waste and rent out containers on an individual basis, commercial and industrial contracts soon began to come their way. “We got some contracts from municipalities and built relationships with construction and demolition contractors,” says Louis Debono’s son Bernie, who is now general manager of the business. “It’s really taken off in the last seven or eight years.” Business first blossomed when Louis purchased a three-acre site in downtown Waterford in 1973 and obtained a permit for a transfer station from the Ministry of Environment. In most municipalities waste management facilities are hidden away; not Norfolk Disposal’s. The transfer station is adjacent to a residential and commercial area of Waterford. “We’re right in town,” says Bernie. “I can’t think of any other (waste business) of this size in a town.” Public acceptance of the site is a testimony to Norfolk Disposal’s high standard of operations which include daily cleaning of the site and fencing.
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SPECIAL REPORT
The company’s first Chevy trucks from 1969.
“We have never been out of compliance in all our years of business,” Louis says.
Operations The transfer station is equipped to handle electronic waste, wood, metal, concrete, paper, cardboard and blue box material. A shredding division was added in 2011 where confidential documents can be brought and stored in security before shredding. The electronic waste is processed in Brantford where it’s separated
for further processing as part of Ontario’s electronics stewardship program. Wood is separated and ground up to supply fuel to several greenhouses in Ontario, including the Debono’s family-owned greenhouse operation. The wood is also formed into pellets for wood stoves. Paper is sent to further recyclers to mill and re-use. Three large concrete open bunkers sit at the back of the site. From one of them a loader operator packs general garbage into trailers to be taken to landfill. Another bunker has a loader for cardboard; the third bunker is set aside for public drop off, to be hand-sorted.
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Rearloader and weigh station.
two smaller waste operations, integrated their routes and equipment and broadened their coverage area. In the beginning, Norfolk Disposal outsourced their containers. However, Louis says durability and weight became issues so they designed their own. “Our containers stay out longer and last double to what they did,” he says. On-going maintenance is stressed, including regular sand-blasting and painting. Norfolk Disposal employs four full-time mechanics and
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The addition of the transfer station and municipal curbside collection was a big boost to Norfolk Disposal’s residential waste collection. “We have an excellent rapport with both Louis and Bernie,” says Eric D’Hondt, general manager of Norfolk County’s public works and environmental services department. “They provide excellent collection, disposal and environmental services.” Several years ago, in expansion mode, Norfolk Disposal acquired
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SPECIAL REPORT
SPOTLIGHT
Facility tip floor with roll-off truck and (right) front-end loaders.
three welders to keep its vehicles and containers up to a high standard. “Our trucks and containers are our advertising,” Louis says. When he first began the business, the containers were white. But he soon realized it was difficult to keep them clean in appearance so he switched to blue. “Blue’s my favourite colour,” Louis explains. (D’Hondt adds it probably isn’t a coincidence that Debono’s blue matches the colour of the blue box recycling program.) Norfolk Disposal’s commitment to maintenance is reflected by the recent acquisition of an eight-acre site containing a 55,000 square foot former industrial building just a couple of blocks away from its transfer station. It will be devoted to the maintenance division, truck parking and eventually administration. The company also owns property outside of Waterford to store its nearly 3,000 containers.
The company’s 50 employees manufacture between 60 and 100 side-loading vehicles annually at its 15,000 square foot facility. The advantage of side-loaders is that they can be operated by one driver from the right-hand side of the vehicle. Shu-Pak manufacturing crews take a cab and set of eight wheels holding up a chassis. The passenger side of the cab is cut open and a second steering wheel and set of brake pedals installed. The chassis length is extended and a mechanical arm added to pick up waste containers.
Technology Under Bernie’s guidance, Norfolk Disposal is always looking at new technologies. An example is Loadman onboard weighing systems. The Seattle-area based company has been developing tools for data collection since 1997. Company president Richard Boyovich says his company’s onboard scales produce valuable real-time data with the driver merely touching a button. For the last five years, Silver Top Supply Limited of London has supplied Norfolk Disposal with Loadman “Weigh in Motion” front-loader scales and Eastern camera systems, and recently adding a fifth wheel scales to a shunt truck and transfer trailers. This, coupled with a wall mounted remote scoreboard, allows the excavator operator to view the loading weight as it increases incrementally, optimizing loading efficiency and maximizing his legal trailer weights while loading at his transfer station. “We value Bernie’s business and respect his strong business ethics,” says Mike Clarke, president of Silver Top Supply. “Our businesses share the belief that service is the key to retaining customer satisfaction.” Shu-Pak Equipment Inc. of Cambridge is a long standing maker of side-loading garbage trucks, many of which are destined for Norfolk Disposal Services. “The Shu-Pak brand has recognition all across North America,” says president David Tanner. “It’s something that’s an advantage for us.”
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Sorting material in the tip area.
The following companies would like to congratulate
Norfolk Disposal on their 50th year in business.
Waterford ON. 519-443-8622
Simcoe ON. 519-426-1606
Simcoe ON. 519-426-2596
Port Rowan ON. 519-427-4797
Tillsonburg ON. 519-842-8001
Waterford ON. 519-443-4113
Waterford Electric Co. Ltd. Waterford ON. • 519-443-5740
St. Catherines ON. 905-685-7334
Hagersville ON. 905-973-2159
Best Weight Scale
Scotland ON. • 519-446-0012
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The Metro Truck Group would like to congratulate Norfolk Disposal on their 50th anniversary of being in business. The Metro Truck Group having the common ownership structure of being a family owned and operated family business wishes Norfolk best wishes in their future endevours. Norfolk Disposal first purchase with Metro was a Diesel powered Coronado SD heavy day cab with special attention to the new spiff laws and maximum allowable payload in Ontario. This followed quite quickly with an order for two diesel powered single axle roll off units. At that point Bernie shifted his focus to the
Norfolk Disposal’s New Truck.
CNG trucks, we looked at multiple configurations to handle the needs of Norfolk Disposal. With their first CNG truck on order from Metro with we are looking forward to growing our partnership with Norfolk Disposal for years to come in the growth of Norfolk Disposals both CNG and diesel powered fleet!
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SPECIAL REPORT
Other improvements include new drive shafts, separate compartments to accept up to three waste streams, equipment to pack and crush trash, and valves and electronic controls to operate the functions. Shu-Pak was the first company to develop a horizontally split body to accommodate two loading hoppers and separate storage compartments. Safety is also a major emphasis and the company just recently launched a new policy to install side-guards to protect pedestrians and cyclists when the vehicle is making right turns at corners. With such a large coverage area over four counties, fuel prices are always front-of-mind for Norfolk Disposal. “It’s all about routing and scheduling,” Bernie says. “We try not to run too many empty miles.” He states that data analysis generated by computer is a valuable tool, but adds, “A lot of it is in my head. I look at the overall picture.” Currently the company is looking at powering its fleet with natural gas. “It’s expensive to set up, but the returns are there if we put enough volume through the system,” says Bernie. “We’re exploring natural gas, but it’s a big number game and we have to do a lot of homework.”
He adds that they’re looking at several waste energy technologies and opportunities as landfill capacity increasingly becomes an issue. So, even after 50 years of growth and innovation, Norfolk Disposal Services is not resting on its laurels. “The industry is still in its infancy and growing,” Louis says. “I don’t think there’s a limit.” Chris Thomas is a freelance writer in Simcoe, Ontario.
SOME NORFOLK DISPOSAL SUPPLIERS Jones DesLaures Insurance www.jdimi.com Silver Top Supply www.silvertopsupply.com Universal Handling Equipment www.universalhandling.com Metro Freightliner www.metrotruck.ca Shu-Pak www.shu-pak.com
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RECYCLING
by Mike Birett “Depots represent a unique opportunity to potentially capture more materials from residents and local businesses alike.”
The Film Challenge Study looks at film plastic separation and sorting issues for municipal MRFs
A
sk any modern materials recovery facility (MRF) operator which material is the bane of their existence and film plastic will likely top their list. Film and automated equipment, such as star screens (found in single-stream MRFs) just don’t mix. However, with over 40 per cent of the recycling tonnage in the Ontario being managed through single-stream systems, that limitation
presents a serious issue. Moreover, the issues with this challenging material aren’t just limited to MRF equipment incompatibility. High labour costs, contamination and low density all make film unattractive to program operators. However, the reality is that film isn’t going away. Film is, in fact, one of the most rapidly growing segments of the waste stream and alJune/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 29
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ready represents over six per cent of the residential printed paper and packaging stream (in Ontario and likely elsewhere) because of the many performance benefits it offers packagers. With harmonization of the blue box “basket of goods” currently top of mind for many stakeholders, film is an issue that needs to be addressed. In response, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (plastics.ca) led a partnership including the Continuous Improvement Fund (wdo.ca) and Stewardship Ontario (stewardshipontario.ca) to co-fund a study of residential flexible film management options and their costs. The partnership jointly retained a consulting consortium comprised of Reclay StewardEdge, Resource Recycling Systems and Moore Recycling Asso ciates to complete the study, and invited PacNext to participate in an advisory capacity. The study found there’s excess reprocessing capacity in North America to handle the volumes of clean commercial and mixed grade PE film currently generated. In marked contrast, however, the opposite was true for curbside-collected PE film and laminated materials. Excess curbside film recovery above North American market capacity is exported to Asia for recycling. The study examined the feasibility of collecting mixed films by sorting them either at the MRF or at a film reclaimer. While films such as PE and uncoated PP are marketable if sorted into separate streams, sorters must separate very large volumes of other films
that currently lack stable, domestic markets, including metalized PP film (e.g., PP chip bags/candy wrappers). The study found that the cost of manual separation in MRFs at North American labour rates was prohibitive and no commercial ready MRF sortation technology was identified. Sending mixed film to reclaimers for separation was also not believed to be economically feasible; experience from Europe indicates that PE yields of at least 65 percent or more are needed to be economically feasible. Yields of this level were not considered achievable in Ontario unless the film was initially sorted at the MRFs, followed by further sorting at reclaimer due to current technological limitations. Even curbside programs targeting PE only, face market capacity issues. Extensive promotion and education can achieve high capture levels but the complexity of film packaging makes it nearly impossible to educate residents to separate out PE for recycling in curbside programs. As a result, curbside PE tends to be heavily contaminated (i.e., over 30 per cent contamination) with paper, organics, multi-laminates and other non-PE films. While producers of low-grade products can make use of this material, the ready availability of clean commercial film makes it relatively unattractive to most re-processors and it’s discounted appropriately (i.e, $440-$529/tonne for clean commercial film vs $25-66/ tonne for curbside film). Long term market stability is, therefore, likely to be found in the
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RECYCLING
Municipality
Collection
Households Served
Marketed Film (tonnes)
kg PE per Household
District Municipality of Muskoka
Curbside & Depot
47,627
241.9
5.1
County of Northumberland
Curbside & Depot
37,966
169.8
4.5
Quinte Waste Solutions
Curbside & Depot
63,985
205.0
3.2
Hamilton, City of
Curbside Two Stream
210,453
519.5
2.5
Peel, Regional Municipality of
Curbside Single Stream
411,800
842.0
2.0
development of additional domestic wash line capacity and automated sortation systems such as Ontario-based EFS Plastics which is currently in the process of expanding its operation. (This next phase of its growth plan will allow the company to process 7,500 tonnes of film, which is sufficient to service the entire Ontario residential PE film market. Industry organizations such as Stewardship Ontario are also actively working to identify and develop new processors.) The study concludes that PE films should be collected separately from other types of films to maximize revenues and ensure market ability. Return centre PE based collection proved to be the most cost effective option, although with lower recovery expectations. Return centre costs in a commercial setting, with free backhaul of loose film available, were estimated to be as low as $75/tonne net of revenues. Return centre net costs that do not have free back-haul (requiring baling before transport) were estimated to be approximately $225/tonne for a PE only program. Alternatively, recovering the same stream of PE film through the average Ontario curbside program was estimated to have a net cost of approximately $360 per tonne. Incremental processing cost estimates ranged from a low of about $200/tonne in a two-stream MRF to approximately $500/tonne in a single-stream MRF, assuming the vast majority of the material is collected “bag in a bag” when received by the MRF.
Costs to process film were found to be particularly sensitive to the extent to which the material is received loose, escalating to over $1800/ tonne if the material is primarily loose (since there’s a direct correlation to the associated pick labour and recovery rate). Resident education and avoidance of equipment that ruptures bags is, therefore, key to avoiding unnecessary processing costs. (This latter situation can be particularly challenging in high-speed single-stream operations.) Perhaps most surprising is the recovery rate potential of municipal depot vs curbside programs. Intuitively one would conclude that the lack of convenience associated with depot-based systems would severely hamper capture rates. Yet a snapshot of Ontario programs reporting through the 2011 Waste Diversion Ontario datacall suggests depots represent a unique opportunity to potentially capture more materials from residents and local businesses alike. Whether the combination of burden depth, high belt speeds and automated equipment will ultimately prevent the effective capture of film in larger two-stream and single-stream operations is unclear at this time. This study does, however, provide ample food for thought for municipalities considering the addition of film to their programs. Mike Birett is Director of the Continuous Improvement Fund in Barrie, Ontario. Contact Mike at mbirett@wdo.ca
F
lexible film is particularly challenging because the spectrum of packaging involved is extremely complex and diverse. It encompasses simple monolayer low and high density polyethylenes (PE) such as grocery sacks, bread bags, and vegetable bags through to multi-laminate stand up pouches. Not surprisingly, the study found that the growth of multi-laminate packaging continues to expand at rates ranging from five per cent to 15 per cent depending on the application and market. Multi-laminates such as stand up pouches and films for meats, poultry and fish can consist of a variety of metalized PP, PEs, oxygen and moisture barriers such as ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA) or polyvinylidene chloride coated nylons, and sealing mediums. Add to that the usual mix of fillers, surface modifiers and stabilizers and one begins to understand the challenges facing re-processors seeking to recycle this material. June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 31
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Progressive natural gas trucks
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rogressive Waste Solutions Ltd., which already has Canada’s lar gest waste and recycling collection fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles, plans to significantly increase its fleet, the company announced in June 2013. Progressive has more than 110 natural gas powered vehicles on the road in Canada, including fleets in Surrey, BC, and Simcoe County, Ontario. This represents approximately 10 per cent of its Canadian fleet. The company expects to have nearly 150 natural gas powered vehicles in Canada by the end of 2013, with the addition of trucks in markets such as Montreal, Quebec. In 2014, Progressive expects 50 to 55 per cent of the total number of vehicles it purchases in Canada and the US, through the normal course replacement of its fleet, will be fueled by CNG. A new waste or recycling collection truck powered by natural gas typically costs about 15 per cent more than a conventional diesel truck. As natural gas costs less than diesel, Progressive expects a return on this investment within an attractive timeframe. In addition, government programs such as FortisBC in areas such as British Columbia offer in centives for companies investing in the greening of their fleets. Progressive uses Mack trucks with natural gas engines powered by Cummins Westport of Vancouver, B.C., and fueling technology from IMW Industries of Chilliwack, BC.
This Progressive Waste Solutions waste collection vehicle in Surrey, BC is an automated side-loader; it features a chassis make by Mack (a low-entry, “UltraLowSulfur” model) and a body from Labrie (the “Automizer”). The truck is powered by compressed natural gas).
TerraCycle programs for butts and “butts”
S
ustainable processes for filters collected and recycled. recycling cigarette waste Called the Cigarette Waste and diaper packaging has Brigade, this environmental long been overdue. This is the program goes well beyond basic belief that inspired “upcycler” recycling; it also incentivizes TerraCycle (terracycle.ca) to Canadians by offering money partner with Imperial Tobacco for each pound of cigarette waste Canada and Huggies Canada to collected that can be directed to create innovative programs to registered charities, and by mak divert these problem materials. ing plastic products such as ship The partnership with Im ping pallets from the collected perial Tobacco began in 2012 tobacco-related waste. The ash, with an innovative program leftover paper and tobacco are to recycle the butts, inner foil, composted according to industry outer wrap, unused tobacco, guidelines. The profits from the ashes and other elements that Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle (right), struts his butts to Eric Gagnon of Imperial sale of the plastic products are comprise cigarette waste — the Tobacco Canada on June 19, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario. With help from collectors across Canada, then re-invested into the social most littered item in Canada and TerraCycle gathered more than five million cigarette butts in the first year of its Cigarette Waste enterprise, allowing it to grow Brigade program. The program, which started in Canada but is now expanding across the globe, worldwide. its national and international recycles and creates eco-friendly primary products from cigarette waste. The waste is collected programs. The company’s rev through TerraCycle’s Brigade® programs, which pay individuals and enues are expected to reach $18 million in 2013. Collectors are asked to deposit the waste in any plastic bag — which groups for every piece of waste they collect and return. As a result close will also be recycled — and to gather the bags into a cardboard box. to 50,000 people and more than one hundred organizations banded Once enough waste is collected, collectors log into their account and together to recycle more than five million cigarette filters in the first year print a free prepaid UPS shipping label to return their box or boxes of of the program. In 2013 the goal is to surpass the milestone of 10 million
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cigarette waste at no cost to them. The participant’s account will be cred ited with 100 points (equal to $1) per pound of waste received. The points can be used to purchase charity gifts or converted to cash for donation to a charity or non-profit of the collector’s choice. TerraCycle accepts every element of cigarette waste except the card board outer box, which can be readily recyclable by all municipal pro grams in Canada. A similar approach is taken with the diaper packaging program with Huggies Canada. The partnership creates the Diaper Packaging Brigade in Canada, a free program that enables parent and childcare practitioners to keep diaper packaging waste out of local landfills.
Participants will earn much-needed funding for schools or char ities. For each plastic diaper packaging returned through the program, Huggies and TerraCycle will donate two cents, which can be put to ward specific charity gifts or converted to cash and paid to a non-profit organization of the collector’s choice. The program accepts any size shipments. The program is free and all shipping costs are paid for. The program has social benefits as well. One in five Canadian moms are struggling to provide diapers for their babies, collectors can help by redeeming their TerraCycle points for clean, dry diapers through non-profit partner, Every Little Bottom at www.huggies.com/en-CA/promotions/ everylittlebottom/elb-story
Covanta hires WTE plant manager
C
ovanta Energy Corporation has announced the appoint because it means that after years of consultation, planning ment of Howard Titus as the facility manager for the and construction, the Durham York Energy Centre is get ting closer to coming online.” Durham York Energy Centre, a state-of-the-art wasteTitus spent seven years at the Algonquin Power WTE to-energy (WTE) facility currently under construction in Clar plant in Peel Region, eventually becoming plant man ington, Ontario. ager. His most recent position was chief Engineer with “I am delighted to be joining Covanta and the existing team Greenfield Ethanol in Chatham. at the Durham York Energy Centre,” said Titus. “I look for The Durham York Energy Centre is scheduled to open ward to working on the final stages of construction and begin in Clarington in the latter half of 2014. The facility will ning operations in 2014.” Joey Neuhoff, Vice President of Business Development at process 140,000 tonnes of post-recycled waste and gener Covanta, said: “This is the first of approximately 40 perma ate electricity for neighbouring homes and businesses. Howard Titus nent, full-time positions that Covanta will create to operate the Visit www.durhamyorkwaste.ca or Durham York Energy Centre. http://covantaenergy.com “It’s also exciting to announce our first hire for facility operations,
June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 33
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13-06-25 9:40 AM
O R G A N I C M AT T E R S
by Paul van der Werf “This guide adeptly focuses on decision makers faced essentially with source-separated residential waste streams.”
Yesterday is Tomorrow Environment Canada’s new technical report on composting
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hey say if you hold onto your old clothes long enough, one day they’ll be back in fashion. The same can be said for some concepts in composting. Recently I was asked to give a mini Master Composter course, in Stratford Ontario, as a kick off to a backyard composting program starting this summer in some apartment buildings. When I started in this industry years ago I helped teach some Master Composter classes, in the course of which I made use of the Recycling Council of Ontario’s 1995 Master Composter Guide. I came across the document recently and found it to still be quite relevant. Backyard composting was all the rage 20 years ago as many realized that organic waste is a critical part of the waste diversion solution; it was an inexpensive way to start. However, municipalities hit a “participation wall” and realized to get more off the street it needed to be collected directly from homes. That’s how it’s evolved ever since. Some municipalities are now hitting a “cost wall.” Curbside collection and processing of organic wastes is expensive; frankly, they can’t afford it. So, after 20 years the humble backyard composter is coming back in fashion. Considering the past is useful in setting future directions. In that regard, Environment Canada’s recently released Technical Document on Municipal Solid Waste Organics Processing is useful. (Full disclosure: My company submitted an unsuccessful proposal to complete this work.) The document is well put together, and encapsulates the current state of knowledge for organic waste processing, a kind of one-stop-shopping guide for decision makers, government officials, facility operators and solid waste managers. The document is a bit like the Old Testament: It starts with the genesis and current context of municipal organic waste processing, including the benefits of organic waste diversion, how the various processes work, an overview of technologies, how to use the end products, and so on. There are extended proverbs on how to deal with the Achilles heel of odour, as well as other nuisances that take otherwise beneficial processes and make them unappealing. It’s not that any of this information, particularly as it relates to composting, is “new” — it was just scattered in various places; the possible exception being the info on anaerobic digestion (AD), which will be
less familiar to readers (and is important to include side-by-side with composting). AD, which has lurked on the fringes, is making some real in roads with the construction of new public and private sector facilities. (See article, page 18) The guide is presented in such a way that a person planning an organic waste diversion program in their municipality can, with some time and diligence, learn what they need to know to help with planning and decision making. This guide adeptly focuses on decision makers faced essentially with source-separated residential waste streams that make up about 14 per cent of Canada’s waste generation. It does not, however, elaborate on how to capture and process more “difficult to extract” multi-residential and IC&I waste streams. (If we ever hope to achieve 50 per cent waste or higher diversion, these waste streams need to be a fuller part of the equation. One quarter to one third of residential organic waste comes from multi-residential buildings. The IC&I waste stream is poorly quantified but makes up at least the same amount as the residential sector.) If the current guide is the Old Testament, the New Testament will be the next document that looks into the future to determine how best to tackle these waste streams. While source-separation programs result in the best quality end products (particularly as pertains to compost), there will be a wall where source-separation becomes impractical. As it currently stands, that wall may be single-family residential with snippets of multi-rez and IC&I wastes. To achieve the lofty waste diversion goals we’ve set for ourselves, we’ll need to consider quantitative measures such as bans and landfill taxes to drive organic wastes to more desirable places. We should also consider more AD with effective pre-treatment, and also mechanical biological treatment (MBT), which may only have a modest hope of generating a marketable product, but which at least minimizes the impact of organics at the time of disposal. The EC document can be downloaded here: www.compost.org/ English/PDF/Technical_Document_MSW_Organics_ Processing_2013.pdf
En po en cu 19 Vi
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Paul van der Werf is President of 2cg Inc. in London, Ontario. Contact Paul at 2cg@sympatico.ca
34 www.solidwastemag.com June/July 2013
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13-06-25 9:41 AM
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CLEANTECH: WASTE BUSINESS by John Nicholson “The biogas is burned in a co-generation facility to create steam that’s used by the alcohol plant and dehydrator.”
EIP!
Eco-Industrial Parks across Canada
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n eco-industrial park (EIP) can be defined as a cluster of businesses that cooperate with each other and with the local community to efficiently share resources, leading to both economic and environmental gains. Currently, there are numerous such parks worldwide and approximately a half dozen in Canada, and the waste management industry’s infrastructure is a perfect candidate to expand this concept. Eco-industrial parks developed from the concepts of industrial ecology whereby the consumption of energy and materials is optimized and the effluents of one process serve as the feedstock of another, mimicking natural ecosystems. In Canada, examples of EIPs can be found in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Bruce County, Ontario. Other communities are planning such parks, including Dufferin County in Ontario.
TaigaNova, Alberta The TaigaNova eco-industrial park within the Municipality of Wood Buffalo (near Fort McMurray) consists of 131 acres on 27 lots. Businesses in the EIP are required, through a land use bylaw, to consider by-product synergy as well as consider strategies to reduce resource use, reduce waste generation, and increase land use efficiency. By-product synergies, in which waste from one company is feedstock for a neighbouring facility, is facilitated through the Wood Buffalo Housing and Development Corporation.
Chester, Nova Scotia Hailed as Nova Scotia’s first eco-industrial park, the Kaizer Meadows Eco-Business Park in the District of Chester (about an hour’s drive out of Halifax) got a kick start with federal funding for infrastructure upgrades. The park, adjacent to the district’s landfill, is focused on attracting synergistic industries related directly to sustainable development. The EIPs first tenant, signed in 2009, was Rainbow Net and Rigging — a commercial fishing enterprise, primarily selling equipment. By moving there, Rainbow Net and Rigging was able to bring its net cleaning and repair services to the EIP. One of the great features of the Chester EIP is its distant location from residences. This is ideal for companies that may generate odours, noise, or other nuisance emissions.
Bruce County, Ontario Located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, the Bruce County EIP is centred on the Bruce Nuclear Power Development. It’s
designed as the “Renewable Energy Cluster of Ontario” with the goal of having ethanol, bio-diesel, and bioenergy created from companies within the park that secured feedstock from the surrounding agricultural community and each other. (One company’s by-product is another’s raw material.) The EIP was kick-started and is currently managed by Canadian Agra Inc. — a company with over 30 decades of experience in integrating sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and the environment. The management of the EIP assists the tenants in establishing and facilitating a network for the by-products they produce, including the investigation of possible uses for by-products. Canadian Agra Inc. also seeks new industry that takes advantage of by-products. The current tenants at the EIP include a greenhouse, a dehydration plant, a brewery, a biodegradable plastic film processor, and an alcohol plant. There’s an anaerobic digester on site that turns waste manure and pre-treated municipal solid waste to biogas. The biogas is burned in a co-generation facility to create steam that’s used by the alcohol plant and dehydrator. Sludge from the digester is used by the greenhouse operation on site and nearby farmers as fertilizer.
Dufferin County, Ontario There are efforts in other areas of Canada to establish EIPs. In Dufferin County Ontario (about a one hour drive from Toronto), plans to establish the Dufferin eco-energy park (DEEP) have been in the works as far back as 2008. The plan is for a number of environment-related industries to occupy land adjacent to the county’s future landfill site. As of April 2013, two key private sector partners — Canada Com posting Inc. and Alter NRG (a waste-to-energy company) — have pulled back from siting facilities at DEEP due to financial setbacks The only remaining major commitment is from a nearby municipality that wants to site a source-separated organics facility at DEEP. EIPs are no sure fire solution to the economic woes of a municipality, although it seems inevitable that municipalities will continue to explore their development. The promise of employment, a clean environment, and community acceptance by EIP promoters is too fetching for municipalities to ignore. John Nicholson, M.Sc., P.Eng., is a consultant based in Toronto, Ontario. Contact John at john.nicholson@ebccanada.com
36 www.solidwastemag.com June/July 2013
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I C & I WA S T E
That Was Easy!
by Diane Blackburn
A look at retail giant Staples sustainability program
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op Quiz! What equals the weight of nine African elephants (the genus with the bigger ears)? If you guessed 50,000 kg of spent batteries, you would be correct. This fun factoid comes to us courtesy of Argyle Communications, who provided some interesting comparative statistics to illustrate the achievements of their client, Staples Canada, our country’s largest online retailer of everything office related … the “That Was Easy’ people.” Staples is very proud of its 2012 sustainability achievements and are building those out in 2013, to the point that they have already won this year’s “Innovation in Sustainability Award” in the Waste Management Recycling and Reuse category, as defined by the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association. (Last year the company was a winner at the Recycling Council of Ontario’s 2012 waste minimization awards, achieving recognition in the Communications category.) Staples’ goal is to make it easy for customers to recycle, thereby exerting a positive impact on the environment. In 2011 the retailer launched an initiative to relentlessly drive awareness, engagement and education to all associates at their 300 retail locations, so that the customer facing front lines (and all business units) could make a difference and take pride in knowing that they had done so. Creating a culture of sustainability is no small task; a robust communications platform was developed that started with a program brand and support strategy. “Easy on the Plant” creative elements were teamed up with the tag line “It’s easy to make a difference.”
“Staples program captured 3,000 tonnes of electronic waste.”
Internal Elements for retail and corporate locations across all provinces were developed and rolled out. These included: diversion trackers by program and store; educational newsletters; energy targets and tracking mechanisms; flyer inserts and bin tags; glossaries of energy terms; pilot program to offer recycling to delivery clients; recycling signage at corporate headquarters (e-cycle drop offs, coffee stations and cafeteria). An Eco Enthusiasts Associate Committee was created across Canada to drive rollout of any new programs or services. Other eco-passionate employees formed working groups for each of the sustainability pillars reporting in to a steering committee that refines and expands the programs. The committee has since grown to include the Regina Call Centre, Mississauga Distribution Centre, and Staples Advantage as well as repre sentation from Staples US. Launched in 2011, the Big Eco Education Tour/Grand Tournee Ecoeducative was a collaborative effort between CFER/Recyc-Quebec/ GEEP and Staples’ Quebec stores. Each location had a tour date in which students from a CFER would set up a kiosk in store to educate customers on the process and importance of e-cycling. Customers who brought in an electronic item for recycling were given a coupon. The program was promoted in the Staples flyer, on the website and on store June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 37
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I C & I WA S T E
Photos by Guy Crittenden
signage and proved so successful that it was run again in 2012. Recycle for Education and Computer Lab Contest (in collaboration with Earth Day Canada) rewarded 10 schools across Canada with a new computer lab valued at $25,000. Ink bins were provided for school collection of toner cartridges. The final stats in Staples key recycling endeavours were solid: battery recycling at 50,000 kg (versus a target of 15,000 kg); electronics at 3,000 tonnes; ink at 2.5 million cartridges collected; and, energy savings (123 Stores relamped to 25w bulbs, reducing electrical consumption by 11.08 per cent). Turning its attention inward to nurture employee transformation has resulted in the emergence of a focused retail giant intent on getting the
CANADIAN WASTE MANAGEMENT AWARDS 2013 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON CEREMONY Join us at the 2013 Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo as we celebrate the 1st Annual Canadian Waste Management Awards. The Canadian “Executive of the Year” Award is to recognize outstanding individuals who play a key role in the growth of the waste sector services industry in Canada. (Criteria and application can be obtained at www.owma.org). Thursday, November 21st, 2013 Palais des congres de Montréal 159 St. Antoine West, Montréal 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm Ticket Price $80.00 includes HST Table of 8 $600.00 includes HST
Reserve your tickets now! Visit the OWMA website
www.owma.org or www. cwre.ca Questions – please contact Michele Goulding 905-791-9500
sustainability message across to every client that crosses their threshold. Environmentalism definitely starts at home. And a final fun factoid on the 3,000 metric tonnes of electronics … it represents the combined weight of seven and a half Boeing 747 jets (not including the overweight baggage). Diane Blackburn is Events Manager for the Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) and produces the RCO’s annual Waste Minimization Awards. This column regularly profiles finalists and winners from that awards program, and others across Canada. Contact Diane at events@rco.on.ca
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The Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea, Department for Environmental Research and Development, promotes the protection of the environment through the realization of projects aimed at developing new technologies with high environmental efficiency and through activities around the world in cooperation with numerous international organizations.
MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT LAND AND SEA - ITALY
Together, the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and the Italian Trade Commission aim to promote the use of Italian technologies and the involvement of Italian companies in the NAFTA region by encouraging scientific and commercial collaboration, and the exchange of best practices and knowhow.
The Italian Trade Commission is the official trade development and promotional agency of the Italian Government. Its mission is to support the internationalization of Italian firms and their consolidation in foreign markets. Headquartered in Rome, the ITC maintains a network of over 115 branch offices in more than 86 countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For further information:
toronto@ice.it or (fax) 416-598-1610 www.italiancleantechnology.com
38 www.solidwastemag.com June/July 2013
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13-06-25 9:42 AM
R E G U L AT I O N R O U N D U P
by Rosalind Cooper, L.L.B. “This case has significantly impacted the advice given to innocent owners of contaminated land.”
Liability for the Innocent Land Owner
O
n May 10, 2013, the Ontario Court of Appeal rendered its decision in the case of Kawartha Lakes (City) v. Ontario, Director, Ministry of the Environment. In doing so, the court has affirmed that innocent owners of contaminated land can be liable for the full costs of remediating such land, notwithstanding that they did not cause or contribute to the contamination in any manner.
Facts of the case The case involved the overfilling of a tank located in the basement of a residence in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Furnace oil escaped from the residential property and entered into the city’s municipal storm sewer and culverts, and was further discharged into a local lake. The provincial Ministry of the Environment had ordered the residential property owners to remediate and their insurance policy responded but, eventually, the policy limits were exhausted and remediation could not be completed. The ministry then issued a Provincial Officer’s Order against Kawartha Lakes, requiring the city to prevent further discharge and remediate the furnace oil located on its property, notwithstanding that it did not cause or contribute in any manner to the contamination.
Basis for the city’s appeal When the city received the Provincial Officer’s Order, it appealed to the Environmental Review Tribunal. At the preliminary hearing before the tribunal, the city indicated that it was seeking to have the tribunal relieve it of liability based on previous cases that had come before the tribunal that had relied on the principle of “fairness” in deciding whether orders against innocent parties should be upheld. The city intended to produce evidence regarding the fuel company that had caused the spill, as well as other parties that bore some culpability with respect to the discharge that occurred. In response, the property owners sought to restrict the scope of the city’s appeal and argued that the previous decisions issued by the tribunal had been overruled by subsequent environment ministry policies that rejected the fairness factors previously considered by the tribunal.
Tribunal decision The tribunal agreed with the property owners. The tribunal ruled it would not vacate an order issued against a properly named recipient, where the effect of so doing would be to thwart the purposes of the
Environmental Protection Act (EPA). The tribunal held that, although there were others who were responsible for the contamination (that could have been named in the order), it was not a matter appropriate for the tribunal to consider. Rather, that issue was more suited to resolution in another forum; namely, the courts. The tribunal did state that some fairness factors, such as financial hardship, could continue to play an important role in appeals before the tribunal, but many of the other factors were better situated for consideration elsewhere.
Judicial review application The city decided to bring an application for judicial review of the tribunal’s decision and, on May 28, 2012, the Divisional Court affirmed the reasoning of the tribunal. The Divisional Court held that innocent parties that are not responsible for the discharge of contaminants or pollution of the environment (including those who merely own neighboring property that becomes contaminated due to the acts and omissions of others) may be ordered by the ministry to remediate contamination that has impacted their properties. The court held that those innocent parties can seek redress from the culpable parties through litigation. In reaching its decision, the Divisional Court considered whether the tribunal had erred in law by excluding evidence that established the culpability of other parties on the basis that it was not relevant to an order requiring remediation. The Divisional Court also considered whether the tribunal had breached the rules of natural justice by excluding such evidence. The court did not agree with the city that the tribunal had committed an error in law and supported the tribunal’s conclusion that evidence that pointed to fault was irrelevant for the purposes of an appeal of the ministry’s order. The court noted that the ministry director may take into account other fairness factors in deciding whether to issue an order, but the director is not required to do so. In commenting on the obvious violation of the “polluter pay” principle by the tribunal, the court endorsed the reasoning of the tribunal, noting that the provisions of the EPA (pursuant to which the order was issued) is an “owner pays” mechanism that doesn’t consider fault. Essentially, the court held that the legislature had enacted a provision that expressly acknowledged that, in certain circumstances, innocent owners could be required to remediate property notwithstanding the lack of culpability.
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R E G U L AT I O N R O U N D U P
The AMRC is now the MWA... with a new website to match our new name
www.municipalwaste.ca Court of Appeal
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The Court of Appeal issued a very brief decision in response to the arguments advanced by the city that the tribunal had not adequately considered the “polluter pay” principle and had erred in holding that the primary objective of the EPA takes precedence over the “polluter pay” principle. The Court of Appeal dismissed the city’s appeal and agreed with the decisions of both the tribunal and the Divisional Court, i.e., that evidence of culpability was irrelevant for the purposes of upholding or revoking the ministry order, because the order was a “no fault” order that could be issued without regard to culpability. This case has significantly impacted the advice given to innocent owners of contaminated land. These owners were told that, while there was statutory exposure to liability, previous decisions of the tribunal indicated that orders against innocent property owners would likely be revoked on an appeal based on “fairness” principles. That is clearly no longer the case. Rosalind Cooper, LL.B., is a partner with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP in Toronto, Ontario. Contact Rosalind at rcooper@tor.fasken.com HMMsept08gm1307 Kilmer.qxd
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Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund L.P. Canada’s leading fund dedicated to the redevelopment of brownfields
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Putting Private Equity to Work The Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund is dedicated to creating value for stakeholders through the clean-up and revitalization of brownfield properties in Canada. If you have a property for sale, please contact Pamela Kraft, Development Manager at 416-814-3437 pkraft@kilmergroup.com www.kilmergroup.com/brownfield
40 www.solidwastemag.com June/July 2013
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13-06-25 11:07 AM
Advertisers’ Index Company
Page #
June/July 2013
Company
Page #
2cg/Paul van der Werf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Mack Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Aqua-Hot WORK READY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Molok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Municipal Waste Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Case Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Newalta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Composting Council of Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cummins Westport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Environmental Business Consultants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Ontario Waste Management Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 38 Paradigm Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Recycling Council of Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Renewaste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Eriez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Freightliner/Metro Truck Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Italian Trade Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Shu-Pak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Trux Route Management Systems Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Town of Amaranth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Jones DesLauriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Universal Handling Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Keith Walking Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Van Dyk Recycling Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund, L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Walinga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
LoadMan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
. . . . . . . .10:10 . . . . .AM . . . .Page . . . . 111 Walker Environmental Group . . . . . . 1 . . 3/25/13 EDDYAD_SW&R4_13_Layout
TOWNSHIP OF AMARANTH LANDFILL PROPERTY DIVESTITURE The Township of Amaranth is seeking Expressions of Interest from potential purchasers interested in purchasing its landfill site (“the Site”). The Township will only consider EOIs from prospective purchasers willing to take on complete ownership of the Site, including the Provisional Certificate of Approval and all related responsibilities and liability. The Site occupies an area of 29.1 ha in total, with approximately 3.7 ha permitted for waste disposal. It operates under Provisional Certificate of Approval (C of A) A180403 issued May 2, 2005 and amended (Notice #1) on April 28, 2008. The approved Site capacity is 150,000 m3 as described in the amended provisional C of A and the remaining capacity is approximately 94,800 m3. Amendments to the provisional C of A, zoning or other permitting (if needed) will be the responsibility of the prospective purchaser.
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Additional information is provided in the Information Package, which may be downloaded from the R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited FTP site.
ADDRESS ftp://ftp.rjburnside.com/ LOGIN: LFDivest PASSWORD: Amaranth7
Sealed Expressions of Interest addressed to the Township of Amaranth, 374028 6th Line, Amaranth L9W 0M6 will be received until: 3:00 pm, July 26, 2013 The Township encourages innovative uses of the Site, including disposal of construction wastes, recreational, recycling and green uses. Uses that the Township will not consider are discussed in the Information Package.
Interested parties may request a site visit by contacting Harry Niemi prior to July 19, 2013. Harry Niemi R.J. Burnside & Associates Ltd. (519) 941-5331 ext. 265
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June/July 2013 www.solidwastemag.com 41
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BLOG
by Rob Cook “British Columbians have paid almost $500-million in eco-fees that do nothing to drive innovation, efficiencies or recycling.”
EPR: Ontario versus British Columbia Ontario suddenly jumps ahead
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here’s broad consensus that Ontario’s Waste Diversion Act (WDA) is fundamentally flawed and in need of wholesale reform. The question is not whether but how it should be reformed. With any change, policymakers and stakeholders look to what other jurisdictions may have to offer. Enter British Columbia, which has quietly added two new product categories to its Recycling Regulation every three years and touts itself as a world leader in extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR Canada, a not-for-profit group that monitors the EPR performance of Canadian jurisdictions, ranked BC above all other provinces in 2012 in terms of EPR policy. Despite its reported success, is BC’s EPR policy really the panacea that Ontario should be looking to? On close inspection, the BC model comes loaded with many of the same problems as Ontario. It’s surprising that this has not attracted more attention. Consumers, municipalities and service providers face very similar issues; the difference for BC stewards is that they have less oversight than Ontario, despite how toothless Waste Diversion Ontario is perceived to be. BC’s EPR model for products and packaging is not based on individual producer responsibility; rather, under BC’s Recycling Regulation, once a producer “… appoints an agency to carry out duties of the producer,” the stewardship agency (not the producer) becomes the regulated party. The transfer of this legal liability from producers to stewardship agencies is accompanied by the development of a common system of stewardship fees (“eco-fees”) levied on products supplied by producers into the BC market (to cover stewardship program costs). Mirroring Ontario, all programs are run by single collective stewardship agencies. Just like Ontario, the stewardship agency model allows producers to transfer their legal liability to a third party while affording that agency with what is essentially the power of private taxation. Like Ontario, fixed eco-fees are widespread in BC. Over the past five years, British Columbians have paid almost $500-million in eco-fees on various products that do nothing to drive innovation, efficiencies or recycling. Without incorporating recycling costs directly into the price of products, stewards are neither motivated nor encouraged to find innovative ways to reduce both waste and costs. Costs are simply passed directly on to consumers rather being borne by producers in their profit margins. They are therefore not scrutinized, but treated as a tax. BC stewardship agencies have gone to great lengths to preserve and defend eco-fees, having engaged Consumer Protection BC (established under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority Act) to explain and promote eco-fees to consumers.
BC stewardship agencies exert absolute market power over the recycling sector and municipalities, just like Ontario. BC stewardship agencies, not the government, set environmental standards, and implement and enforce those standards however they see fit. For materials such as electronics and small appliances, the approach of allocating material quotas to recyclers undermines (rather than enhances) fair, open and competitive recycling markets. Enforcement and oversight of EPR programs by the government in BC is minimal, with no systematic effort to determine what environmental outcomes are being achieved. Recently, to address this shortcoming, the BC Ministry of Environment tabled a new requirement for stewardship agencies to complete non-financial audits to track the disposition of materials collected, reused and recycled. In BC, just as in Ontario, if agencies fail to meet environmental targets, producers are not subject to penalties. As a proposed Band-Aid, the BC environment ministry is suggesting stewardship agencies pay municipalities for the waste management costs associated with the uncollected portion of material necessary to meet the agencies’ recycling targets. Simply adopting BC’s EPR model will not serve the interests of Ontario consumers, municipalities or the recycling sector, as the model is already so similar. However, with the introduction of the Waste Reduction Act, Ontario rightly chose to adopt a clean-slate approach to EPR that’s economically efficient. Individual producers (not collective stewardship agencies) are held responsible for meeting environmental outcomes for the end-of-life management of their products or packaging. Collective action is allowed but does not sanction collectives. The proposed legislation preserve and protect fair, open, and competitive producer and recycler markets to drive efficiencies for both stewards and service providers. It restricts the collusive setting and coordinated passage of point-of-sale eco-fees to consumers and observes Canadian competition laws in regard to such eco-fee “price-fixing.” The government sets enforceable environmental standards (proces sing, transportation, collection), service standards (accessibility), administrative penalties, and targets (reduction, reuse, recycling and/or recovery). Ontario’s Waste Reduction Act is precedent setting and reframes waste diversion in a manner true to the fundamental precepts of EPR: it harnesses competitive markets to protect the environment. It’s now up to the political parties in Ontario to move this important piece of legislation forward, and time (ironically) for BC to catch up. Rob Cook is CEO of the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) in Brampton, Ontario. Contact Rob at rcook@owma.org
42 www.solidwastemag.com June/July 2013
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