Tracy Casavant, Light House Sustainable Building Centre Meg O’Shea, Strathcona Business Improvement Association

Zero Waste for Small Businesses 101

False Creek Flats Green Enterprise Initiative Re-visioning a Sustainable False Creek Flats

Zero Waste for Small Business 101

Welcome & Introductions

What is Zero Waste?

•  No waste to landfill, incineration, or the environment

•  Waste is a misplaced resource

Why Zero Waste for Business?

•  Save $ and/or get more value

•  Engage employees (often those ‘young ‘uns’)

•  Impress your customers

•  Future-proof your operations

But what about… •  Lack of space? Frequent

pick-up, bin design •  Lack of time? Minimal

requirement •  Employee compliance?

Find a champion; clear messages ‘from the top’

•  Multiple languages? Multi-lingual signs

Business Generates Significant ‘Waste’

To Landfill

ICI Other

Businesses generate more than

50% of waste in Metro

Vancouver

Compostable Organics 35.8%

Paper 14.5%

Plastics 15.7%

Building Material 6.1% Non-compostable organics 8.6%

Metals 3.5% Glass 1.6%

Bulky Objects 5.1%

Average ICI Waste Composition, Metro Vancouver 2013 Waste Composition Study

Moving  Toward  Zero  Waste  

Zero  Waste  Workshop    June  25,  2014  

Craig  Shishido  Solid  Waste  Services    Metro  Vancouver  

GOAL 1

GOAL 2 Maximize  reuse,  recycling,  and  material  recovery  

Minimize  waste  genera7on  

GOAL 3

GOAL 4

Recover  energy  from  waste  stream  a1er  recycling  

Dispose  of  all  remaining  waste  in  landfill  a1er  material  and  energy  recovery  

Solid  Waste  Management  Plan  

Integrated  Solid  Waste  and  Resource  Management  Plan  

§  10%  per  capita  waste  reducEon  by  2020    

§  Increase  regional  diversion  rate  from  58%    in  2012  to  at  least:  

70%  by  2015    80%  by  2020  

 

Material  Disposal  Bans  

•  At Regional Facilities •  Surcharge added to tipping fee •  Threshold limit

– Percentage of load – Presence of some items

•  Visual inspection

 

How  Bans  Work  How Bans Work?  

Organics Disposal Ban  

  Ban  the  Disposal  of  compostable  organic  waste  at  region  disposal  faciliEes  

•  Workshop No. 1 (Feb) •  Workshop No. 2 (April) •  Workshop No. 3 (June) •  Industry Meetings •  Online survey series •  Board report (September

2014)

2014 Consultation and Engagement  

Implementation Options  

• Materials  •  Allowable  Threshold  •  PenalEes  •  ImplementaEon  Timelines  

CONSULTATION FEEDBACK  

•  Strong individual support •  Support for declining threshold – allows time to

adjust •  Starting threshold at 50% too generous •  Equity concerns with focusing on largest

producers •  Minimize transition points to avoid confusion •  Minimize phase-in period •  Starting surcharge level at 50% minimizes

transition points and confusion and provides a strong incentive

 

Phased Implementation  

Next Steps  

Re  

 

• Analyze  the    feedback  from  the  consultaEon  process  • Recommended  strategy    to  be  presented  to  the  Metro  Vancouver  Board  in  September  • ConEnue  with  sector  engagement  projects  and  the  development  of  resources  • Develop  an  implementaEon  strategy    

Workplace Zero Waste June 25, 2014

The  Zero  Waste  Challenge  

§  Barrick participated in the SBIA Zero Waste Challenge in late 2011

§  The program was offered by the Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA) in conjunction with Metro Vancouver

§ Waste streams participated in –  Organics

–  Soft plastics

The  Zero  Waste  Challenge  

§  Attended the 38th Annual RCBC Zero Waste Conference in May 2012 –  Gained additional insight into community based waste

reduction –  Trade show exhibitors had fantastic products and

knowledge of waste diversion – Many ideas and projects were shared with respect to

reusing recovered resources • SBIA has its own resource exchange

ImplementaEon  tools  

§  Recycling bins –  Purchased 41 bins from Bush Systems (RCBC Zero

Waste Conference) –  Color coded, custom signs and labels –  Strategic placement throughout our facility

ImplementaEon  tools  

§  Signage –  Custom signage from SBIA –  Signage from Waste Management

(our waste provider) – Metro Vancouver’s website

Barrick’s  Waste  Streams  

§  Prior to Zero Waste Challenge –  Paper recycling –  Mixed container recycling –  Cardboard recycling –  Hazardous waste –  E-waste (arranged by SBIA) –  Milk Cartons –  Garbage

§  Post Zero Waste Challenge –  Organic recycling –  Soft plastics –  Batteries –  Filter paper and rubber gloves

Champions  for  Success  

§  Program Champion –  Owner, Senior Manager

§  Lab Disposal Champion –  Ensuring bins are

strategically located –  Emptying bins

§  Custodial Champion –  Communication with

janitorial services

ImplementaEon  Challenges  

§  Buy-in from colleagues

§  Behavioral changes

§  Checking bins for proper waste disposal –  One unclean item in mixed containers could

contaminate the entire bin –  Organics was the biggest challenge

§  Educating colleagues –  Did not provide enough training –  Language barrier

§  Educating cleaning staff

PosiEve  Results  

§  Educating individuals on proper recycling as Metro Vancouver ramps up disposal bans

§  Doing our part to keep waste from the landfills and lowering greenhouse gases

§  Commercial services for waste disposal –  Garbage pick up now bi-weekly –  Now using a garbage bin half the size –  Saving money

COFFEE BREAK

Start back up at 10:15!

TOOLS, TIPS & RESOURCES ZERO WASTE FOR SMALL BUSINESS 101

Find a pick-up / drop-off

http://www.metrovancouverrecycles.org/Pages/Business.aspx

Find a pick-up / drop-off

Find a pick-up / drop-off

•  Food waste haulers (City of Vancouver) http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/food-scraps-haulers.aspx

•  Licensed solid waste & recycling facilities (Metro Vancouver) http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/permits/Permits%20%20Regulations/ActiveSolidWasteLicenceList.pdf

(Recycling Alternative is in the Flats and here today!)

Communicate with Staff / Customers

www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/Resources/Pages/default.aspx

Practice What You Preach Sustainable Purchasing

•  Buy recyclable products •  Buy products with recycled

content •  Don’t buy what you don’t need •  Enact a sustainable purchasing

policy

Next Sustainability at Work Course: Sustainable Purchasing September 2014!

Your Own Zero Waste Challenge Step 1: Baseline Analysis

1.  Get buy-in from senior management 2.  Contact waste auditor or review Waste Audit

Guide in Resources Package 3.  Arrange timing and location details 4.  Discuss number of streams 5.  Arrange bins 6.  Collect your baseline

Your Own Zero Waste Challenge

Step 2: Make a Zero Waste Plan

1.  Identify streams and number of bins

2.  Contract hauler(s) 3.  Identify a workplace champion(s) 4.  Inform staff 5.  Locate bins

Your Own Zero Waste Challenge

Step 3: Implement

1. Start separating streams! 2. Monitor systems 3. Track diversion data 4. Motivate staff 5. Communicate success

Your Own Zero Waste Challenge

Step 4: Evaluate & Improve

•  Track metrics, set goals •  Look for challenges •  Look for opportunities •  Seek accountability •  Look for partners in waste-as-

resource

Best Practices

with Help from your Hauler

Where are you at now?

•  Waste audits and assessments: •  Material streams, volumes, diversion •  Service costs? Surcharges? Are you aware of all costs? Contracts? •  Collection schedule and frequency? •  Right sizing – are you getting what you need? •  Explore additional services and options with your current hauler,

and others

•  Procurement •  Tackle your trash UPSTREAM before it comes through your door •  Identify purchasing choices that will reduce your waste on site

Best Practices – Make Your Diversion Count

•  Follow your trash DOWNSTREAM •  What’s happening to your materials? Where are they going? •  Markets and recovery rates? •  Source Separation vs Single Streaming •  Environmental impact of your service; carbon footprint; Climate

Smart

•  Stand out from the crowd – innovate and lead the pack •  Can you minimize your volumes on site? •  Can you pool/share your collection with neighbours •  On-site equipment and innovations to reduce and recover

BEFORE you need to remove your waste

Preparing for Organics Ban - 2015

Diversion beats Disposal

•  Reduce your volumes •  Consolidate your services •  Collaborate where possible •  Quality matters •  RECOVERY is key

Resources Available to You We will email you the URL

•  Zero Waste Challenge Instructions •  Zero Waste Equipment & Providers •  Waste Auditors & Waste Reuse Online Sourcing •  Zero Waste Challenge Pilot Report •  Waste Visual Assessment Guide •  Waste Audit Guide And more!

ZERO WASTE BEYOND YOUR BOUNDARIES

Think Like an Ecosystem (Image: Casavant, 2000, Adapted from Pezzack, 1998

Phrase: Côté and Smolenaars, 1994)

Lost Material Lost

Material

Materials, Other Resources

Primary Consumer

Product Mfr.

Scavenger Disassembler

Primary Producer

Component Mfr.

Decomposer Recycler

Secondary Consumer Wholesale/ Dist.

Top Consumer Consumer

Extractor Raw Material

Supplier

Tertiary Consumer Retailer

Energy

Industrial symbiosis engages traditionally separate industries and other organizations in a network to foster innovative strategies for more sustainable resource use and long

-term culture change.

National Industrial Symbiosis Program (NISP), International Synergies Ltd.

From Zero Waste to Industrial Symbiosis

Identify mutually profitable transactions for ü innovative sourcing of

required inputs ü value added destinations

for non-product outputs ü Other business-to

-business collaboration Adapted from National Industrial Symbiosis Programme-UK

NISP Model …. People

One workshop 2 hours

20 companies 200 opportunities

NISP Model … then data

•  Custom  IT  PlaVorm  (“Synergie”)  

 •  Used  by  NISP  PracEEoners  (not  businesses)  

 

Metric Results Cost Savings to Business £156,082,258 Additional Sales for Business £176,097,919 Landfill Diversion (Tonnes) 7,022,384 CO2 Reduction (Tonnes) 6,038,059 Hazardous Waste Eliminated (Tonnes) 363,626 Water Savings (Tonnes) 9,569,738 Jobs Created 3683

NISP-UK Verified Outputs 2005 to 2010 From £27 M investment, NISP-UK achieved:

From Pathway to a Low Carbon Economy Report. 2005.

“...the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme has the maximum

possible score based on economic and environmental benefits amongst

120 policies from 23 countries” COWI Report, 2011

NISPs Worldwide Hungary

Romania

Poland Belgium

Brazil

Italy

Netherlands

Slovakia

UK

Finland

South Africa

China USA

Australia

Canada

Denmark

South Korea

Chile

Mexico

EU

EU

NISP-Canada Two Year Pilot •  Lower Mainland +

4 regions •  Understand

–  Quantified benefits –  Impact of Canadian

geography –  Impact of > 10 sets

of environmental legislation

–  Long-term financial model

© Light House Sustainable Building Centre 2014

Delivery Team

Phase 0 Program Development generously funded by

© Light House Sustainable Building Centre 2014

NISP-Canada

•  Workshops across Lower Mainland (including False Creek Flats and Strathcona) starting Fall 2014

Thank you for your time!

Special acknowledgements: •  Metro Vancouver, Barrick Gold, and Recycling Alternative

for sharing their knowledge and experience •  Discovery Parks for the venue; •  City of Vancouver and Vancouver Foundation for funding

this workshop; •  One Earth & Ecotrust Canada, our partners on the broader

False Creek Flats Green Enterprise Initiative; and •  City of Vancouver & Vancouver Foundation for funding this

workshop.

Tracy Casavant, Light House E: tracy@lhsbc.com

P: 604 677 3728

Meg O’Shea, Strathcona BIA E: meg@strathconabia.com

P: 604 258 2727

For more information / access to resources: