HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 37-03
Ciú¡ c~
REPORT TO
FINANCE & OPERTIONS COMMITTEE
45
Report Number: OES 37-03
Date: November 1O, 2003
From:
Richard W. Holborn, P. Eng.
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Subject:
Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
Elimination of Clear Plastic Bags
Amendment to By-law #5422/98
Recommendation:
1. That Report OES 37-03 regarding leaf and yard waste collection - elimination of
clear plastic bags be received; and
2. That Council adopt the elimination of plastic bags from leaf and yard waste
collection commencing April 1, 2004 in conjunction with an advertising and
promotion campaign to Pickering residents; and
3. That a by-law to amend the City's Waste Management By-law # 5422/98 to give
effect to the change be forwarded to Council.
Executive Summary: The Council of the Region of Durham has requested the City
of Pickering not to deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste or grass clippings in
plastic bags to the Region for processing into compost and not to deliver these
materials to the Region as garbage waste for landfill disposal.
The City's Waste Management By-law already mandates the separation of recyclable
materials, leaf and yard waste from the garbage stream due to restrictions at landfill
sites, however, the elimination of plastic bags from leaf and yard waste collection will be
difficult to implement mainly due to cost of kraft paper bags that most residents will
revert to.
Residents will have to embrace the long-term benefits of removing plastic bags from the
compost process through lower processing (disposal costs) and production of better
compost material for end users.
An amendment to the City's Waste Management By-law # 5422/98 is required to
eliminate plastic bags from leaf and yard waste collections and to make it enforceable.
Due to the timing of the request, there is insufficient time to implement the change any
sooner than the spring 2004 yard waste collections. The City's Christmas tree
collection program in January 2004 will not be affected, as tree bags are presently not
accepted.
Report OES 37-03
Date: November 10, 2003
46
Subject: Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
Elimination of Clear Plastic Bags
Amendment to By-law #5422/98
Page 2
Financial Implications: The elimination of plastic bags from leaf and yard waste
collections will not impact costs related to the collection program itself, residents that
set out leaf and yard waste in plastic bags will have to convert to more costly kraft
paper bags or purchase additional open rigid top containers. Elimination of plastic
reduces compost-processing costs, which translates to lower disposal costs at the
Regional level.
Background: It has been policy for the City of Pickering to accept residential Leaf
and Yard Waste in clear plastic bags, kraft paper bags, bushel baskets or open rigid top
containers. The City's Christmas tree collection program bans tree bags, and the City
discontinued grass-clipping collection in 1996. The City's Waste Management By-law #
5422/98 makes the separation of yard waste and recyclables from garbage mandatory.
Leaf and Yard Waste materials collected by area municipalities are delivered to a
composting site for processing. Continuing to accept clear plastic bags in the Leaf and
Yard Waste Stream is a practice that is no longer viewed as environmentally
conscientious or financially sustainable. As a result, many municipalities are moving
toward a ban on plastics within the Leaf and Yard Waste stream. Plastic bags do not
decompose and must be screened out (de-bagged) during the processing phase.
Furthermore, the plastic bags pose a substantial litter predicament at the composting
site. The cost for the processing of Leaf and Yard Waste in plastic bags is significantly
higher when compared to the processing of Leaf and Yard Waste collected in kraft
paper bags.
While the use of clear plastic bags has been adequate from a collection standpoint, it is
considered a contaminant by the horticultural market; which in turn makes the finished
compost difficult to market and consequently reduces its commercial value, resulting in
higher costs to the taxpayer and consumer. The use of kraft paper bags for Leaf and
Yard Waste provides a significant cost savings during the processing phase when
compared to plastic bags. The bags and their contents are shredded to reduce the
bag into particles that decompose with the Leaf and Yard Waste, which in turn, negates
the requirement for screening out the miscellany of plastic bags.
A large number of municipalities in Ontario have implemented policies for the collection
of Leaf and Yard Waste, which restricts packaging to kraft paper bags or open rigid top
containers. The introduction of kraft paper bags within these municipalities such as the
Town of Whitby has demonstrated to residents a practical collection container with no
significant problems experienced in the collection process or with resident acceptance.
Report OES 37-03
Date: November 10, 2003
Subject: Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
Elimination of Clear Plastic Bags
Amendment to By-law #5422/98
47
Page 3
In the Spring of 2003, the Region of Durham introduced their Integrated Waste
Management Program in the Municipality of Clarington and the Townships of Uxbridge,
Brock and Scugog. Residents in these municipalities have accepted the program with
little difficulties in the new ways of preparing, separating and placing out their waste
materials. Kraft paper bags or open rigid top containers are mandatory for their Leaf
and Yard Waste. Plastic bags have been banned for all compostable materials placed
out for collection in these municipalities.
On October 7, 2003, Pickering Council passed Resolution #144/03, endorsing in
principal, the implementation of the Region of Durham's Integrated Waste Management
System. The banning of plastic is consistent with Durham Region's initiative to
eliminate plastics from the composting stream. As we approach the introduction of the
Region of Durham's Integrated Waste Management System, the banning of plastics is
viewed as a proactive step toward the Integrated System, which is clearly designed
around "Organics".
On October 8, 2003, the Region of Durham Works Committee considered Report 2003-
WR-7 and recommended the following to Council:
IlThat the Cities of Oshawa and Pickering and the Town of Ajax be
requested to:
Not deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste, or grass
clippings in plastic bags to the Region for processing into compost,
because plastic bags are not compostable and they create
unnecessary litter in our community; and
Further Not to deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste,
hedges or grass clippings to the Region as garbage waste for landfill
disposal, because these materials are prohibited in the State of
Michigan's landfill sites."
The recommendations stated above were adopted by Regional Council at a meeting
held on October 22, 2003. The expectation is that the area municipalities abide by the
request as soon as possible but practically speaking commencing with Christmas tree
collections in January 2004 and with the spring 2004 yard waste collection. This would
give City staff sufficient time to advertise and promote the change, and sufficient time
for residents to prepare for the change. The City of Pickering has been promoting the
use of kraft paper bags for yard waste for several years. In 2002, a campaign was
launched whereby each residence was supplied with two (2) kraft paper bags as a
promotional initiative. Staff have observed that some residents in the City of Pickering
have switched voluntarily to kraft paper bags for leaf and yard waste collection.
Report OES 37-03
Date: November 10, 2003
48
Subject: Leaf & Yard Waste Collection
Elimination of Clear Plastic Bags
Amendment to By-law #5422/98
Page 4
Attachments:
1.
2.
3.
Report 2003-WR-7
Letter dated October 22, 2003 from Regional Clerk
By-law
Prepared By:
~~-
Clerk, Technical Support Services
Everet
Director
Operations & Emergency Services
RH:ds
Attachments
I:\COUNCIL \OES3 7 -O31.docNov-O3
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Council
//
t,CHMENT#~, TOREPORT# O~SS 7 -03
J .oj 3
Regiom¡¡¡ Munícipaiity of Durham
To: The Works Committee
From: Commissioner of Works
Report: 2003-WR-7
Date: October 8, 2003
49
SUBJECT:
The Use of Plastic Bags and the Disposal of Leaf and Yard Wastes and Christmas
Trees
RECOMMENDATIONS:
THAT the Works Committee recommends to Regional Council that:
The Cities of Oshawa and Pickering and the Town of Ajax be requested:
- Not to deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste, or grass clippings in
plastic bags to the Region for processing into compost, because plastic bags
are not compostable and they create unnecessary litter in our community; and
- Not to deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste, hedges, or grass
. clippings to the Region as a garbage waste for landfill disposal, because these
materials are prohibited in the State of Michigan's landfill sites.
REPORT:
1.
BACKGROUND
In December 1999, Regional Council adopted the "Region of Durham Long
Term Waste Management Strategy Plan: 2000 to 2020". One of the main
goals of the Waste Plan is to "to divert at least 50% of the residential waste from
disposafby the Year 2007 or earlier." .
In the spring of 2003, the Region introduced the new integrated waste
management system in the Municipality of Clarington and the Townships of
Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge. The residents in these communities have adapted
extremely well to a new way of preparing, separating and putting out their
residential waste materials. They use kraft paper yard waste bags or rigid open
top containers for their leaf and yard waste to be composted. Grass clippings
are simply left on the lawn. They do not use plastic bags for compostable
materials, as plastic bags are not compostabîe and they create unnecessary
litter. In addition, the collection contractors do not pick up any yard waste as a
garbage waste for landfill disposal.
an
"I'V
Report No.: 20C3-\NR-7
I, TOREPORT# 6ES 3J-<J3
Page No.: 2
Þ ACHMENT#
50
Based on experience at the Region's compost yard on Garrard Road in VVhitby,
plastic bags are not compostable and they create unnecessary litter in our
community. Residents living near the compost site have been complaining about
litter from these plastic bags on their properties and were very surprised that
some area municipalities within the Region were still collecting leaf and yard
wastes and Christmas trees in this manner.
Existing levels of Curbside Collection Service
Where Plastic Bags are Permitted
Municipality Christmas leaf and Grass Garbage
Trees Yard Wastes Clippings Waste
Pickering No Yes No Yes
Ajax No Yes Yes Yes
Whitby No No No Yes
Oshawa Yes Yes Yes Yes
Clarington No No No Yes
Scugog No No No Yes
Uxbridge No No No Yes
Brock No No No Yes
It is time to make a change in the way these materials are received by the
Region for outdoor windrow composting. Staff propose that effective January
2004, all Christmas trees, leaf & yard waste, and grass clippings delivered to the
Region for processing into compost, not be in plastic bags, because plastic bags
are not compostable and they create unnecessary litter.
This recommendation will have an impact on the area municipalities noted above
that still collect compostables in plastic bags. Subject to the approval of the
recommendations of this report, these municipalities will have several months to
prepare for their Christmas tree collection in early January 2004 as well as a few
additional months prior to spring clean up collection in April 2004. Of a more
urgent nature, these area municipalities are currently developing their 2004
waste calendars and it is desirable that these revisions be included so as to
. .
minimize any confusion next year.
The Region will continue to actively assist in educating residents about the
benefits of not using plastic bags for their compostable materials.
2.
PROHIBITIONS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
The Department of Environmental Quality in the State of Michigan recently
released the results of their intensive inspection program to evaluate landfill
disposal practices in IVíichigan. Weekly inspections were undertaken from mid
March to mid June and approximately 5,000 loads of waste were inspected.
91
.("ACHt"'1ENT #--L. TO REPORT# DeS 3 J-o:s,",.".,=: ~,;.~. ' ':'-
Kepo;;. No.: 20G3-WK-7 S u; ~- . a~~ ,"~.. '-'
Their findings included the f'oiiowing:
51
- A large number of waste loads during the summer months contained
some amounts of yard wastes, despite Michigan's prohibition on the
disposal of such waste in their landfill sites
- Yard waste was found in a much greater percentage of Ontario waste
loads than in Michigan loads or loads from other States
Unfortunately, the results do not specifically identify where in the Province of
Ontario these loads of excessive yard waste materials originated. The other
municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area already provide separate yard waste
collections to their residents during the seasonal growing season.
However, in order to comply with the State of Michigan's landfill regulations, it is
proposed that those area municipalities currently responsible for waste collection
not deliver any Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste, hedges, or grass clippings
to the Region as a garbage waste for landfill disposal, because these materials
are prohibited in Michigan's landfill sites. All the garbage waste from the Cities
of Pickering and Oshawa as well as the Towns of Ajax and Whitby is disposed of
by Regional Contractors in a landfill site in the State of Michigan.
3.
CONCLUSION
The Region of Durham needs to be aggressive and progressively move forward
on its waste reduction programs. This report outlines environmentally beneficial
programs that seek to improve the quality of Region's compost, reduce the
amount of litter in our community and minimize the amount of yard waste
materials being disposed of in landfill sites. It is proposed these changes take
effect in January 2004.
I is, P.Eng., MBA
oner of Works
Recommended for Presentation to Committee:
G.H. Cubiti, MSVV,
Chief Administrative Officer
WM1/cb
92
ATiACHMENT#_~,- TO RE PORT # OGS ~ 7-ð3
?~';'~ of., I""",
THIS LETTER HAS 8EEN-FGRWARDED TO
THE TOWNOFþJþJC .A:ND'C1TY~OF OSHAWÁ"CLERKS
5')
<-
'Clerk's. Department.
ENGlf'JEEiJiNG'
October 22, 2003 '.
"""~'~"
~r'"
City of Pickering
1 The Esplanade, ",
Pickering, ON L1V 6K7'
, The Regional
Municipality ,
'of Durham
, '
6Q5ROSSLAND RD, E,
PO BOX623"
, WHITBY ,ON L1N 6A3
"'CANADA'
9b5~668-i111',
, ' 1-800-372-1102
, , Fax: 905-668-9963 ' " ,,' ' , , '
, 'Smail' . ',",','", "',',, " " " ,,', " "", " "
:cle¡-k~@regbn;durham,Dri,C;;\ ' Mr. Taylor, the Works pommittee of R~gional CounciLconsidered tbe, above, '
, ',', , " ,matter and at a meeting held on October 22, 2003, Council adoptsd the' "
:;~::::~::::::~~~(T1~nctations of the Co(T1(T1ittè~: , ',", .', ',' , . ",. '.' ','
RegionalClerk,/ '/ If THATthe, Giti6r of OshawaandPickeringandtheTownof Ajax be , "
(Jr:quested",) ,', ,",',,"
,\, ' "', ' "" dÞKff10 delivera~y Christmas trees, leaf and yard waste, or grass "
~ clippings in plastic bags to the Region for processing intO90mpost,
, , becausepJasticbags are not compostable and they ,create: '
ul1necessarylitter in our community; and, '
,,' " , ' ' '
, ' , '
¡HE USE OF PLASTIC' 13AGS AND THE DISPÖSA't"()Fj:E~F')\j\JD~~YA"RD""'":'~'
"WASTES AND 'CHRISTMAS TREES GR #2003-WR-70URFILE: "
, '
Notto deliver any Christmas' trees, leafand yard wàste,hed9,es, or
, grass clippings tothe Region as á garbage waste for landfill " ",
disposal, ,because these materials .arepröhibited inthe State òf .
Michigan'slandfillsites," ' " ' '
(} A 11, r M¿Jß
\.,_J/ r æø~ '
P.M. Madill, A.M,C.T., CMM I
Regional Clerk
PMIVUis
C. Curtis, Commissioner of WOiks
"Seniice Excellence
iorÒi:Jì'Commuhities"
@
100% Post Consume!
ðT'ACHMENT# 3,,_. TOREPORT# S 7-63
__-L ot I
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF PICKERING
BY-lAW NO.
51
Being a by-law to amend By-law 5422/98 for
the collection and removal of garbage,
recyclable materials, yard waste and other
refuse.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 208.6 (1) and (2) the Municipal Act, RS.O.
1990, chapter M.45, as amended a local municipality may pass by-laws to
prohibit or regulate the use of any part of a waste management system;
NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCil OF THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF
PICKERING HEREBY ENACTS AS FOllOWS:
1. Section 1 to By-law Number 5422/98 is hereby amended by deleting
therefrom the following item:
(I) (iii) Only clear, transparent, heavy-duty plastic bags,
returnable bushel baskets or open top reusable receptacles
shall be used for yard waste
2. Section 1 to By-law Number 5422/98 is hereby amended by adding
thereto the following item:
(I) (iii) Only clear transparent, heavy-duty plastic bags,
returnable bushel baskets or open top reusable receptacles
shall be used for yard waste until March 31, 2004. Only
multi-layer kraft type paper bags, sufficiently durable to
withstand lifting without breaking open not greater than 90
centimetres in height by 70 centimetres in width, returnable
bushel baskets or open top reusable receptacles shall be
used for yard waste commencing April 1, 2004
BY-lAW read a first, second and third time and finally passed this 2nd day of
February 2004.
Dave Ryan, Mayor
Bruce Taylor, City Clerk