Metro Vancouver is updating its Solid Waste Management Plan. They have identified several guiding principles; one of which is “A solid waste and recycling system that is affordable, convenient, and consistent across the region.” Metro Vancouver is currently at the Options Analysis stage of the SWMP Update, which “... is the final step before the new plan is drafted.” They are now evaluating several potential options using decision-making criteria based on their goals and a waste hierarchy (see below). 

Some of the options they are reviewing would impact UDI members, including: 

• Measures to increase the reuse of used building materials such as – 
  • Developing and advocating for the “... implementation of circular economy regulations;”
  • Developing “... consistent tools and reporting requirements to improve administrative efficiency of house relocation and deconstruction bylaws for contractors and municipalities;”
  • Improving the “... secondhand building materials markets;”
  • Working “... with engineering design and construction organizations to update concrete and asphalt specifications to include recycled content ...;”
  • Advocating “... for incentives and programs for circular built environment solutions such as design for disassembly, buildings as material banks, and incorporation of used building materials for new construction;”
  • Having workshops and information sessions with the housing/development sector on reducing waste; and 
  • Updating their Metro Vancouver Construction and Demolition Waste Reduction Toolkit; 
  • Reviewing how construction/demolition waste that cannot be recycled could be processed into energy/fuels (e.g., “... electricity, aviation fuel or hydrogen, biomass/biocoal ...,” as well as for district energy systems); and 
• Measures to improve green bin and recycling for multi-family residents and businesses, such as – 
  • Reviewing “... multi-family residential waste and recycling container space and access guidelines, including determining if the guidance needs to account for increased amounts of material or additional types of materials;”
  • Supporting “... knowledge sharing of space and access requirements for multiplex units ...;”
  • Identifying and implementing “... pilots and technology research that could advance and improve organics recycling in the commercial/institutional sector;”
  • Assessing “... the provision of green bins for non-residential properties ...;” and 
  • Hosting “... workshops aimed at sharing and implementing approaches to reduce commercial/institutional disposal such as business license requirements or other regulatory approaches;” 

Metro Vancouver is seeking feedback on the options by October 31st: 

• Through a short questionnaire; and/or
• They also have form if you want to comment on specific action options.  

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the project team at: zerowaste@metrovancouver.org. Please see additional information on the SWMP options below: 

• Full List of Ideas Received From Idea Generation Engagement;
• Assessment of Potential Strategies and Actions Completed By Stantec
• Rethink;
• Reduce;
• Reuse;
• Recycle;
• Recover;
• Options Analysis Rubric;
• Draft Summary of Ideas Staff Consider Unadvisable; and 
• Draft Summary of Ideas Staff Will Consider as Part of Other Plan Parts.