FALL 2019

The best diversion ever in the history of waste in our region

65%diversion

90-95%

of blue box

materials get

recycled

We have done an incredible thing. Every year since the new waste services started in March 2017, we have seen

increases in the blue box and green bin. We have reached a

new all-time high of 65 per cent diversion, one of the best diversion rates in Ontario. More is being recycled and less is going to landfill.

The recycling markets are changing. New strict contamination rules are being enforced and

materials with contamination are not accepted for recycling. This means there are less opportunities to sell recyclables and only the best sorted materials will get recycled. Contamination is non-recyclable items (like chip bags and styrofoam) or plastic bags in with containers.

In Waterloo Region, we ask residents to separate recyclables into two blue boxes: containers in one and paper and plastic bags in another. This simple sorting provides maximum impact. The materials arrive at our sorting centre ready for the final sort; a mechanical and human

process that separates items by material type.

Ninety to 95 per cent of the material we collect gets recycled. The rest is contamination and that goes to landfill. We have

stable recycling markets in Ontario, Quebec and Northeastern US for all items we collect.

Sorting matters. Because of your efforts, our green bin rates have soared and our blue box program is successful. Thank you. Let’s keep it going!

Collected tonnages 2016 to 2018

City of Kitchener receives water efficiency award

The City of Kitchener is this year’s recipient of the Region’s Water Efficiency Excellence Award. Kitchener invested in several major water efficiency projects including upgrading splash pads, operating a new rainwater harvesting system, installing high-tech water meters in facilities and upgrading City Hall’s cooling tower. These projects have saved enough water to supply the needs of 152 average, local households.

Kitchener’s work to protect our valuable water resources was partially funded by the Region of Waterloo’s WET (Water Efficient Technology) Program, which helps businesses and institutions save water through upgrades and other improvements.

Regional Chair Karen Redman presents the Region of Waterloo Water Efficiency Excellence Award to Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic on September 25, 2019.

What’s inside? Contamination alert! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Landfill design and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Get more into your blue box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Federal funding to expand gas collection system. . 22018 Annual Report to the community. . . . . . . . . . 2A word from the curb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Soften hot water only and save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Help keep salt out of drinking water . . . . . . . . . . . 3Focus on beneficial use of biosolids . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Get to know groundwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Winter water tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Waste tips for winter collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Environmental information on protecting water and reducing waste

+139%

+11%

+15%-24%

grades

nts.

Environews - Fall 2019

Contamination Alert! Can you spot five items that

do not belong in the blue box? Non-recyclable items are

contamination.

Answer: 1. Toys, 2. Hangers, 3. Utensils, 4. Styrofoam, 5. Chip bags

Landfill design and development The increase in diversion rates, decrease in garbage tonnes and the infrastructure changes to the gas collection system have affected the planning for the next stage of the landfill. Where filling one garbage layer used to take six months, it is now taking nine months and the life span of this landfill is extending. Yet another benefit of great recycling!

Our engineering team is reviewing the landfill design to maximize the remaining 20 years left. They are talking about things like how much waste can be placed into each cell and what the final outside slopes should look like.

The protective clay liner in a new cell can only be installed in the dry months. Planning for landfill construction needs to be done well in advance.

Get more into your blue box and stop winds from blowing them out

Simple tricks like putting the paper blue box on top of the container blue box helps hold items down. Here are a few more:

Containers blue box

■ Crush cans.

■ Squish plastic bottles and recap.

■ Fold down cartons.

Paper and plastic bag blue box

■ Put all bags into one bag and tie tightly shut.

■ Break down food boxes and tuck into one cereal box.

Federal funding to expand gas

collection system On March 12, 2019, MP Bardish Chagger presented the Region of Waterloo with a cheque for $1.5 million from the Federal Government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund.

This will be used to expand the Waterloo landfill’s current gas collection system. Landfill gas is extracted using a series of gas collection wells and is sent to an on-site gas plant. This gas is used to generate electricity. The electricity is sent into the power grid and then to residential homes.

This gas collection system prevents greenhouse gases like methane from being released into the air. Expanding the system will increase efficiency and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

MP Bardish Chagger with Chair Karen Redman and members of council.

2018 Annual Report to the community

Read highlights on our curbside collection services and landfill operations. On our website: www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste

A word from the curb Here are a few suggestions for even greater collection service: Have items to the curb by 7 a.m. Routes can change at the last minute for construction or emergencies. We can’t guarantee the time for collection on your street.

Line your green bin: Use only paper liners or certified compostable plastic liners to line your green bin. Liners help keep your bin clean.

Broken glass and sharp knives: Broken glass is a safety issue and there have been injuries. Put broken glass (and mirrors) in a box, seal it, write ‘broken glass’ on the box and place it beside your garbage. Please do not put broken glass or other

sharp items in the blue box or in a garbage bag.

Containers blue box

■ Crush cans.

■ Squish plasticbottles andrecap.

■ Fold downcartons.

Paper and plastic bag blue box

■ Put all bags intoone bag and tietightly shut.

■ Break downfood boxes andtuck into onecereal box.

Cell

Environews - Fall 2019

Soften hot water only and save on your water bill As most of the Region’s water comes from wells, it contains healthy minerals. This hard water is good to drink, but can cause scaling in plumbing, appliances and water heaters. Most households use water softeners to strip minerals from hard water in exchange for salt.

Minerals create scale faster in hot water. Having a plumber connect your water softener to the hot water line only will still avoid scale build-up in your home. By making this small change, a three-person household could save 8,800 litres of backwash water and 108 kilograms of salt from entering the Grand River, per year.

“Many businesses and apartments buildings only soften hot water to save money,” says Steve Gombos, the Region’s manager of water efficiency. “Most people don’t even notice the cold water is not softened.”

Consider the environmental benefits of using less water and softener salt in your home. Softener salt contributes to higher chloride levels in the Region’s waterways and affects wildlife. Every year, water softeners in the tri-cities flush over 16,000 tonnes of salt into our rivers and streams and waste 1.2 billion litres of water.

Visit www.watersoftenerfacts.ca to learn more or contact your plumber to start saving by softening hot water only in your home.

Help keep salt out of drinking

water Chloride levels from winter salt and ice melter are increasing in Region of Waterloo’s drinking water wells. Over time, this can cause drinking water to taste salty. We all have a role to play to keep salt out of water. Learn how at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/SaltingShift.

Water quality at Region of Waterloo well sites The Ontario drinking water objective for chloride is 250 mg/L. A salty taste is detectable at this level.

Focus on beneficial use of biosolids Biosolids, the organic material left after our sewage is treated, are created everyday. To manage the thousands of tonnes generated each year, the Region plans to improve treatment plants, build storage capacity and focus on beneficial uses for the end product.

To maximize its use, the Biosolids Strategy suggests spreading nutrient-rich biosolids on farm land and around mine tailings ponds to improve soil quality. When those options are not possible, our biosolids are delivered to provincially approved landfills outside the region.

“Last year, 65 per cent of our biosolids were spread on farm land or used in mine reclamation projects,” says Kaoru Yajima, senior engineer in the Region’s Water Services Division. “This is the best approach for the environment.”

Visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/biosolids for more information.

Biosolids played a role in making this honey. Nutrient-rich biosolids helped restore soil at old mining sites where thriving wildflowers attract bees, producing honey.

Fresh. Local. Always on tap.

Discover hundreds of local spots where you can fill up your water

bottle for free.

Find tap water anywhere at blueW.org or look for blueW

window stickers. Refilling your reusable bottle helps to reduce

waste and energy.

blueW.org

Businesses interested in becoming a blueW location can

register for free at blueW.org.

Get to know groundwater

I am the rain that soaks into the ground. We can’t see groundwater yet it is all around us. It is the water we drink, cook and clean with and so much more. We hope you will agree groundwater is worth protecting. Look and listen for the “I am groundwater” campaign this winter to learn more.

Chloride Concentrations(mg/L)

< 25

25 - 50

50 - 100

100 - 200

200 - 400

> 400

2018

Water quality at Region of Waterloo well sitesThe Ontario drinking water objective for chloride is 250 mg/L.A salty taste is detectable at this level.

Printed on 100% recyclable paper.

Environews - Fall 2019

Kitchener and TownshipsCambridge and Waterloo

Winter water tips

Protect your rain barrel this

winter Cold weather is coming, so remember to store your rain barrel safely. It’s easy!

1. Drain the barrel and hoses completely.

2. Place the barrel upside down to avoid water freezing and cracking the barrel.

The Region has distributed over 57,000 rain barrels since 2001. This program helps our community conserve enough water to supply the needs of over 1,000 households per year.

For more information visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/conservation.

Winter safety tips for businesses It’s possible to reduce slip and fall hazards and protect your property and our community’s drinking water from the damaging impacts of salt.

Review your winter maintenance contract. Include salt training for anyone salting your property, access to the contractor’s application records and a review of how you’re billed for salt. Salt charged by unit price per event or lump sum per season, instead of by unlimited use, ensures a practical and economical use of salt.

Areas not required in winter such as outdoor patios, overflow parking, extra walkways and stairs can be closed. This can greatly reduce salt application without reducing access to your building.

Prevent ice from forming across paved areas. Redirect stormwater away from walkways and parking lots and place your snow pile on the lower section of the property near a storm drain.

Have a plan for colder temperatures. How will you deal with ice when it’s too cold for salt to work?

For more ideas, visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/winterplan

Waste tips for winter collection Yard waste collection coming to an end November is the final month for yard waste collection for this year. Check your final week! Yard waste is collected spring to fall, every second week (opposite your garbage week). See you next spring!

Christmas tree collection Tree collection is part of our yard waste program. We know it is early, but just a reminder that tree collection will be January 6 to 17, 2020. These trees will be composted with yard waste.

Bulky item collection Bulky items are collected every second week,

with garbage. Limit is three items per collection.

Waste Calendar Hold on to your 2019 calendar, January 2020 is in it. Your 2020 calendar will be mailed mid-January.

Do not place waste items on a snow bank.

Prevent winter freezing: Put a paper egg carton under the liner bag.

Waste Whiz is our on-line search tool, www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste

Soon it will also be an app where you can set collection reminders and look up what goes where.

Waste Management contact info: Waste Management 925 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3Z4 Tel: 519-575-4400 Fax: 519-747-4944 waste@regionofwaterloo.cawww.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste

Water Services contact info: Water Efficiency 150 Frederick Street, 7th Floor, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4J3 Tel: 519-575-4400 Fax: 519-575-4452 watercycle@regionofwaterloo.cawww.regionofwaterloo.ca/water

Editors: Waste Management: Kathleen Barsoum, 519-575-4400 ext. 8422 Water Services: Aimee White, 519-575-4400 ext. 3837

cx

xcq

Comingsoon...

the app

www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste