2004 Community Excellence Awards

2011 UBCM Community Excellence Awards

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Name of Local Government: City of Port Coquitlam

Project/Program Title: Waste-Reduction Strategy

Community Size: Large

Project Summary Paragraph

Please provide a summary of your project/program in 150 words or less.

The City of Port Coquitlam began introducing a series of progressive waste-reduction initiatives through its Waste-Reduction Strategy in 2008. The strategy builds on the success of the City’s automated three-bin waste collection system, the first in Western Canada, with initiatives that encourage residents to divert recyclable and compostable material away from the landfill. Port Coquitlam was the first city in Metro Vancouver to take the following bold steps to reduce waste: curbside collection of fruit/vegetable scraps and other compostables in 2008, collection of all food scraps/food-soiled papers in 2009, alternate-week garbage collection in 2010, and offering food scraps collection to all multi-family homes and schools in 2011. Other BC communities have requested Port Coquitlam’s assistance to introduce similar programs. Citizens have embraced the program and become the City’s waste-reduction partners, resulting in significant increases in waste diversion along with decreases in disposal fees, greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.

Project Analysis

Please answer the question in 300 words or less in 11 pt Arial font (our judges value directness and brevity). If you experience difficulty answering a particular question, consider the aspects of your program that may relate to the question and show us how they are linked.

1.  ENVIRONMENT

How does the program/project protect BC’s environment?

The primary intent of the Waste-Reduction Strategy is to divert recyclable and compostable material from the landfill. Waste management is a significant environmental problem in BC and across North America.

Through curbside collection of recyclables, food scraps and food-soiled papers, combined with alternate-week garbage collection, the strategy encourages citizens to divert as much as possible into their green and recycling carts. As a result of the strategy, the City sent 26% fewer tonnes to the landfill in 2010 than in 2009. As of July 2011, Port Coquitlam residents are diverting 62% of household waste away from the landfill (up from 50% in 2009).

The strategy has also reduced the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption. The change to alternate-week garbage collection has reduced vehicle trips by a net 12.5%, with corresponding reductions in GHG emissions and fuel consumption. In 2010, the City saved 9,600 litres of diesel fuel, which would have produced 98 tonnes of GHGs.

Increased waste diversion also helps to reduce the harmful effects of landfills on the environment.

Landfills produce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and harm air quality. Organic material in landfills decomposes gradually over decades and creates a significant amount of methane due to the absence of oxygen. In contrast, when organic waste is composted, it decomposes within one year and predominantly creates carbon dioxide because oxygen is made available. Because methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide on a 100-year global warming potential basis, composting organic material can reduce GHG emissions by over 90% compared to sending it to a landfill.

Every tonne of household organics diverted from the landfill is estimated to reduce GHGs by approximately a tonne. In 2010, Port Coquitlam diverted 1,182 more tonnes of organic material from the landfill than in 2009.

Landfills also leach toxic substances and can affect groundwater.

2.  PROCESS

Please provide a brief outline of the steps involved in the program/project and the status of each step.

2008

·  Following extensive research and a pilot project, Port Coquitlam became the first Metro Vancouver city to start curbside collection of fruit/vegetable scraps and other compostables. The City also began year-round pickup of green carts (formerly no wintertime pickup).

·  A comprehensive public awareness campaign included a website (www.portcoquitlam.ca/greencart), press releases, brochure, mailout, advertising, signage, cart decals, posters, and displays.

2009

·  Port Coquitlam was the first municipality to approach Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre to investigate the potential for curbside pickup of all food scraps and food-soiled papers.

·  A pilot project tested out curbside collection of all food scraps/soiled papers combined with alternate-week garbage pickup. Participants diverted 65% of their household waste into their recycling and green carts.

·  Port Coquitlam became the first municipality in BC to offer curbside collection of all food scraps and food-soiled papers.

·  The City announced plans to move to alternate-week garbage collection in January 2010, along with weekly green cart pickup from mid-May to mid-November.

·  Educational materials were updated and distributed, including a dedicated website (www.portcoquitlam.ca/garbage), brochures and resources, social media posts, press releases, advertising, bookmarks, displays, banners and information in City publications.

·  The City began distributing free Kitchen Composter Starter Kits, including a lidded pail and information resources.

2010

·  Port Coquitlam became the first Metro Vancouver city to begin alternate-week garbage collection.

·  Pilot food scraps and recycling collection was initiated with School District 43.

·  Public education continued with ongoing promotion of resources and community events.

·  A pilot was conducted for multi-family green cart collection.

2011

·  Port Coquitlam begins food scraps and recycling collection at schools, public places and all City facilities.

·  Port Coquitlam becomes the first city in BC to offer green cart collection to all multi-family homes.

3.  RELEVANCE

Tell us how your submission is relevant to current environmental issues.

Waste Management

As mentioned in Question 1, waste management is a significant issue in BC and across North America. Lack of space for landfills, and the emissions and pollution caused by landfills, are a widespread concern. These are real issues in BC, as Metro Vancouver’s main landfill in Cache Creek had been scheduled to close in 2012. Although a five-year extension was approved, no sustainable long-term solution has emerged.

This problem is so significant that Metro Vancouver launched its Zero Waste initiative, with a goal of diverting 70% of waste from the landfill by 2015.

Port Coquitlam used to have a similar landfill diversion rate as the rest of Metro Vancouver (about 50-55%). Since introducing the Waste-Reduction Strategy, the City’s diversion rate has climbed 12% and other Metro Vancouver cities are following its lead with similar food scraps collection and alternate-week garbage collection.

Port Coquitlam set the example of what could be achieved and was the first to take significant steps towards meeting the region’s waste-reduction commitments. The City expects to be among the first to reach and exceed the 70% diversion target.

Greenhouse Gases/Fossil Fuels

Climate change is a worldwide concern. Governments, businesses and communities around the globe are striving to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and consumption of fossil fuels.

The strategy has reduced the City’s GHG emissions and fuel consumption by taking trucks off the road, and by reducing how much is sent to landfills, a significant source of GHGs. In 2010, the new collection schedule saved 9,600 litres of diesel fuel, which would have produced about 98 metric tonnes of GHGs.

Every tonne of household organics diverted from the landfill is estimated to reduce GHGs by approximately a tonne. In 2010, Port Coquitlam diverted 1,182 more tonnes of organic material from the landfill than in 2009.

4.  LEADERSHIP

How does the project reflect leadership and excellence in the advancement of community development?

Port Coquitlam’s innovative approach to waste reduction has enhanced the community’s profile, engaged citizens and increased civic pride.

A key element of Port Coquitlam’s Waste-Reduction Strategy has been an ongoing public awareness and education campaign that aims to teach the community about the importance of waste reduction and the impact of their actions – and ultimately, to transform citizens into waste-reduction partners. This comprehensive campaign has been delivered in a variety of formats to reach as many members of the community as possible, including extensive website and printed resources, advertising (including newspapers, transit shelters, grocery store adbars and rink banners), social media and community events.

The significant diversion improvements (see #1 and #5) illustrate that our residents have embraced our waste-reduction initiatives, demonstrating the City’s success in engaging the community. Further evidence of community ownership comes from the successful new school and multi-family complex programs, in which enrolment is optional. In particular, students and teachers had lobbied the City to expand the service to schools after learning about the residential program.

Port Coquitlam’s leadership in the area of waste reduction has also brought positive attention to the community. A number of other BC municipalities have followed Port Coquitlam’s lead and implemented similar initiatives, including collection of food scraps/food-soiled papers and alternate-week garbage collection. City representatives are regularly asked for advice about or to make presentations on the topic, such as Mayor Greg Moore’s Organics Strategy presentation at the FCM Sustainable Communities Conference in 2009 and the Australia Zero Waste Conference in August 2011. Port Coquitlam’s waste-reduction initiatives have also been referenced in local, regional and international publications.

In a larger sense, all communities have a responsibility to protect our planet through waste management and other environmental initiatives. By leading by example, Port Coquitlam is fulfilling its role in this area.

5.  ECONOMICS

a.  How was the project a good use of budget and resources?

The Waste-Reduction Strategy is meeting or exceeding expectations in many areas:

Diversion: As of July 2011, residents are placing only 38% of their household waste into their garbage cart – 12% less than in previous years. They also sent 1,863 fewer tonnes to the landfill (26% less) in 2010. As the program continues and awareness grows, we expect even higher diversion rates.

Education: The initiatives have successfully educated the community about the need to be aware of what they’re throwing away. One indication of this is the increase in recycling when no changes have been made to that program.

Sustainability: The waste-reduction initiatives contribute to the City’s goal of environmental sustainability.

Cost savings: In 2010, the program achieved a total net savings of $164,500 – made up of $81,500 in disposal fees and $83,000 in labour, equipment and fuel costs. Original estimates had anticipated a $225,000 savings over five years.

Taxpayers are also benefiting from the strategy. Port Coquitlam’s garbage levy, the lowest in Metro Vancouver, has not increased for three years despite rising landfill disposal fees. Residents also receive a financial incentive of $30 per year for downsizing to a smaller garbage cart.

b.  How does the project encourage economic sustainability? (e.g. life cycle analysis, internalizing costs and alternative financing, economic instruments)

The significant savings achieved has freed up funds to be directed to other waste-reduction initiatives and City priorities. The reduced operational requirements related to alternate-week garbage collection have also added to the lifespan of equipment and saved 9,600 litres of diesel fuel in the first year.

In addition, due to the savings achieved, Port Coquitlam is the only city in Metro Vancouver that has maintained its 2009 garbage levy levels in both 2010 and 2011 – despite annual increases in landfill disposal fees (18% in 2011 alone).

6.  SUSTAINABILITY

How does the project encourage social sustainability? (e.g. stakeholder engagement, public participation, equity and diversity, health and safety, knowledge sharing, capacity building, community identity and marketing)

The City has encouraged public feedback throughout our introduction of the waste-reduction initiatives; in response to input, a decision was made to introduce weekly pickup of green carts in 2010 from mid-May to mid-November (green cart collection normally takes place on alternate weeks).

From the start, the City recognized that the support and participation of the community was vital to the program’s success. The focus of the extensive public education and awareness campaign was to transform our citizens into waste-reduction partners. Our outreach included comprehensive web and printed resources, newspaper and transit shelter ads, posters, billboards, social media prompts, truck signage and the City calendar.

As a result, citizens have embraced the initiatives and regularly provide positive feedback about the program. In particular, the uptake of the optional school and multi-family programs is significant because they require participants to sign up and pay additional fees. A resident in a 25-unit co-op noted, “We’re introducing it to our members and expect to see our use of our green carts go up and our garbage to go down.”

A grassroots outreach element was introduced to the strategy in 2011. For example, all participating multi-family complexes have an in-house green cart champion who serves as the liaison with the City and provides information and support to residents. At civic events such as Canada Day, a volunteer is assigned to recycling stations that include a food scraps bin to reinforce the City’s waste diversion messaging. Local schools that have signed up also have in-house advocates who promote the program.

Our leading-edge waste efforts have also brought the community positive media attention, both from local newspapers and from regional TV and newspapers, as well as recognition as a waste-reduction leader from other cities and organizations who contact the City for advice or to make presentations.

7.  INNOVATION

What makes your program/project innovative?

Port Coquitlam’s Waste-Reduction Strategy addresses a significant and widespread environmental challenge with a series of linked initiatives intended to reach the goal of greater waste diversion. Our systematic approach was intended to transition our community towards greater diversion in manageable steps, given that these measures were new to Metro Vancouver and to our citizens.

Our strategy includes a lot of “firsts” – Port Coquitlam was the first city in Metro Vancouver to collect kitchen green waste, to collect all food scraps, to move to alternate-week garbage pickup and to offer green cart pickup to all multi-family homes. Even after introducing green kitchen waste collection in 2008, the City wanted to increase its diversion further. We approached Fraser Richmond Soil & Fibre in 2009 about expanding the kitchen waste program to include all food scraps and food-soiled papers, and found a willing partner.

The initiative taken by Port Coquitlam has kick-started greater waste diversion throughout the region; other Metro Vancouver cities are now following our example and initiating similar programs.