City of Regina Waste City of Regina Waste Characterization Study Characterization Study

2007/082007/08Preliminary Results & Overall GoalsPreliminary Results & Overall Goals

Christina M. CanartChristina M. Canart

Department of Geography, University of Department of Geography, University of ReginaRegina

Project ObjectivesProject Objectives

• Complete a 12 month direct waste Complete a 12 month direct waste analysis of land-filled wasteanalysis of land-filled waste

• Establish empirical baseline dataEstablish empirical baseline data• Perform a pilot study to:Perform a pilot study to:

• Confirm sampling methodologyConfirm sampling methodology• Ensure categories are comprehensiveEnsure categories are comprehensive• Identify research constraintsIdentify research constraints

• Begin full scale implementation in Begin full scale implementation in January of 2008January of 2008

Pilot StudyPilot Study

• October to December 2007October to December 2007• Focus on development of Focus on development of

methodology and sampling methodology and sampling proceduresprocedures• Residential waste generationResidential waste generation

• Front Street AutomatedFront Street Automated

• Other sourcesOther sources• ICI Sector: Shopping mallICI Sector: Shopping mall• Small Vehicle Transfer StationSmall Vehicle Transfer Station

Pilot Study ResultsPilot Study Results

• Nearly 62% of all waste sampled Nearly 62% of all waste sampled from October to December 2007 was:from October to December 2007 was:• Non-Meat Organics, Paper, Yard Waste Non-Meat Organics, Paper, Yard Waste

and Otherand Other

• Monthly differences are primarily Monthly differences are primarily attributed to seasonal variability, attributed to seasonal variability, including Fall Yard Work and including Fall Yard Work and Christmas ShoppingChristmas Shopping

October SamplingOctober Sampling

Paper

Plastic

Glass

Cardboard

Hygienic Waste

Metal

Meat Organics

Non-Meat Organics

Yard Waste

Hazardous

Other

Residual

November SamplingNovember Sampling

Paper

Plastic

Glass

Cardboard

Hygienic Waste

Metal

Meat OrganicsNon-Meat Organics

Yard Waste

Hazardous

Other

Residual

December SamplingDecember Sampling

Paper

Plastic

Glass

Cardboard

Hygienic WasteMetal

Meat Organics

Non-Meat Organics

Yard Waste

Hazardous

Other

Residual

Summary of PilotSummary of Pilot• Confirmation of sampling strategyConfirmation of sampling strategy• Identified that the majority of land-filled Identified that the majority of land-filled

waste in Regina could be diverted waste in Regina could be diverted through recycling and composting through recycling and composting activitiesactivities

• More data analysis was required to More data analysis was required to identify the actual composition of each identify the actual composition of each category relevant to diversion activitiescategory relevant to diversion activities

• Slight alterations needed to be made to Slight alterations needed to be made to existing categoriesexisting categories• Addition of a household hazardous categoryAddition of a household hazardous category

Full Scale ImplementationFull Scale Implementation

• Full scale sampling began in JanuaryFull scale sampling began in January• Residential sampling occurs five times Residential sampling occurs five times

weeklyweekly• Inclusive of all residential collection typesInclusive of all residential collection types

• Small Vehicle Transport StationSmall Vehicle Transport Station• 3 to 5 samples throughout the week3 to 5 samples throughout the week

• ICI SectorICI Sector• Targeted sourcesTargeted sources• Will increase in the upcoming monthsWill increase in the upcoming months

Waste CategoriesWaste CategoriesPaperPaper (e.g. newspaper, telephone books, (e.g. newspaper, telephone books,

postal)postal)PlasticPlastic (e.g. RPC’s, polystyrene, film, bottles) (e.g. RPC’s, polystyrene, film, bottles)GlassGlass (e.g. glass containers: coloured and (e.g. glass containers: coloured and

clear)clear)CardboardCardboard (e.g. boxes) (e.g. boxes)Metal (Ferrous & Non-ferrous) (e.g. aluminum, tin, beverage Metal (Ferrous & Non-ferrous) (e.g. aluminum, tin, beverage

containers)containers)Hygienic Waste Hygienic Waste (e.g. sanitary products) (e.g. sanitary products)Meat OrganicsMeat Organics (e.g. meat) (e.g. meat)Non-Meat OrganicsNon-Meat Organics (e.g. orange peels, produce, food (e.g. orange peels, produce, food

waste)waste)Yard WasteYard Waste (e.g. grass clippings, sod, tree stumps) (e.g. grass clippings, sod, tree stumps)Hazardous Hazardous (e.g. pesticides) (e.g. pesticides)Household HazardousHousehold Hazardous (e.g. batteries, prescription drugs, (e.g. batteries, prescription drugs,

paint) paint) OtherOther (e.g. leather, rubber, mattresses, etc) (e.g. leather, rubber, mattresses, etc)Residual WasteResidual Waste

January StatisticsJanuary Statistics

• Over 71% of all waste Over 71% of all waste characterized in January was:characterized in January was:• Other, Non-Meat Organics, Paper & Other, Non-Meat Organics, Paper &

PlasticPlastic

• Based on 8 samplesBased on 8 samples

Paper, 16.77%

Plastic, 11.17%

Glass, 1.73%

Cardboard, 5.73%

Hygenic Waste, 4.09%

Metal, 2.15%

Meat-Organics, 3.19%Non-Meat Organics,

21.17%

Yard Waste, 3.08%

Hazardous, 3.22%

Other, 22.17%

Residual, 5.54%

February StatisticsFebruary Statistics

• Approximately 65%of all waste Approximately 65%of all waste sampled in October was:sampled in October was:• Non-Meat Organics, Paper, Plastic & Non-Meat Organics, Paper, Plastic &

CardboardCardboard

• Based on 7 samplesBased on 7 samples

Paper, 21.05%

Plastic, 15.05%

Glass, 3.21%

Cardboard, 6.66%

Hygenic Waste, 4.38%Metal, 2.68%

Meat-Organics, 4.32%

Non-Meat Organics, 22.19%

Yard Waste, 0.20%

Hazardous, 1.17%

Other, 13.24%

Residual, 5.85%

March StatisticsMarch Statistics

• More than 66%of waste sampled More than 66%of waste sampled during the month of March was:during the month of March was:• Other, Non-Meat Organics, Paper & Other, Non-Meat Organics, Paper &

PlasticPlastic

• Based on 13 samplesBased on 13 samples

Paper, 15.41%

Plastic, 10.62%

Glass, 3.52%

Cardboard, 4.76%

Hygenic Waste, 3.50%

Metal, 5.69%

Meat-Organics, 7.79%

Non-Meat Organics, 17.13%

Yard Waste, 0.66%

Hazardous, 2.42%

Other, 23.62%

Residual, 4.87%

April StatisticsApril Statistics

• Approximately 65% of all waste Approximately 65% of all waste characterized during April was:characterized during April was:• Other, Paper, Yard Waste, Non-Other, Paper, Yard Waste, Non-

Meat OrganicsMeat Organics

• Based on 13 samplesBased on 13 samples

Paper, 17.30%

Plastic, 10.51%

Glass, 4.69%

Non-Meat Organics, 11.99%

Yard Waste, 13.77%

Hazardous, 0.66%

Other, 21.87%

Residual, 3.31%

Meat-Organics, 4.20%

Metal, 4.59%

Hygenic Waste, 2.16%

Cardboard, 4.96%

SummarySummary

• Material composition of waste Material composition of waste generated is comparable throughout generated is comparable throughout the sampling monthsthe sampling months

• Data spikes show seasonal variationsData spikes show seasonal variations• A significant proportion of land-filled A significant proportion of land-filled

waste during the pilot and full-scale waste during the pilot and full-scale studies could be diverted through studies could be diverted through recycling and composting activitiesrecycling and composting activities

Looking ForwardLooking Forward

SamplingSampling• Continue sampling residential and Continue sampling residential and

small vehicle transport stationsmall vehicle transport station• Increase ICI sector targeted samplingIncrease ICI sector targeted sampling

AnalysisAnalysis• Neighbourhood generation ratesNeighbourhood generation rates• Comparative analysis of residential Comparative analysis of residential

collection typescollection types

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Thanks you to:Thanks you to:• City of Regina, Engineering & Works Dept.City of Regina, Engineering & Works Dept.• Dena McMartin, Project ManagerDena McMartin, Project Manager• Dwight Mercer, Project CoordinatorDwight Mercer, Project Coordinator• Student Researchers: Dustin, Aaron, DaveStudent Researchers: Dustin, Aaron, Dave• Jon Gillies, Project FacilitatorJon Gillies, Project Facilitator