HomeMy WebLinkAboutSUS 06-24Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: SUS 06-24 Date: June 10, 2024
From: Kyle Bentley
Director, City Development & CBO
Subject: Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability
File: D-7001-024
Recommendation:
1. That Report SUS 06-24, providing an update on Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin
Availability, be received for information.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on Resolution
#232/23 that directed City staff to work with the Region of Durham (the “Region”) to enhance
residents’ access to blue bins and green bins.
City and Region staff have taken steps to address the Short, Medium, and Long-term actions that were identified in Report SUS 07-23. This included, among other things, enabling blue boxes, blue box lids, kitchen containers for food waste, and curbside green bins to be
purchased at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, which was found to be a
service well-used by residents. Also, at the time this report was prepared, planning was underway for the annual Community Compost Giveaway, a popular event during which residents can purchase and exchange bins.
To further enhance service delivery, the Region will commence a door-to-door delivery
program on July 1, 2024, whereby residents can dial 311 or access the Region’s online E-Commerce platform to purchase/exchange kitchen food waste containers, curbside green bins and backyard composters (no blue bins). Units are delivered directly to the resident’s home.
The Region is set to transition to the Extended Producer Responsibility model for residential blue box collection. As of July 1, 2024, the Region will no longer be responsible for the
collection of recycled items. Accordingly, blue boxes are not included in the door-to-door delivery program. Region staff are communicating details with residents about the transition to producer responsibility and the point of contact for blue box questions and requests.
All of these steps enable Pickering residents to more easily purchase or replace waste diversion bins within the community.
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships; and
Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation & Resiliency.
SUS 06-24 June 10, 2024
Subject: Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability Page 2
Financial Implications: Not applicable to this report.
Discussion: The purpose of this report is to provide an update regarding Resolution #232/23 that directed staff to continue working with the Region to improve residents’ access to blue boxes and green bins (see Resolution #143/23, Attachment 1, and Resolution #232/23, Attachment 2).
As outlined in Report SUS 07-23, based on discussions with Community Services and Operations staff, and Region staff, specific Short, Medium, and Long-term actions were identified for consideration. The following points serve to provide an update on these actions.
Short-term Actions:
1. Enable the sales of blue and green bins from Chestnut Hill Developments
Recreation Complex
City staff worked with the Region to establish a system to enable bin sales. Since September 2023, residents have had the opportunity to purchase blue boxes, blue box lids, kitchen containers for food waste, and curbside green bins at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex.
This service has been well-used by the community. A total of 122 blue box bins, 6 blue box lids, 69 green bins, and 50 kitchen containers have been purchased to date. The units are sold to residents on a cost recovery basis so there is no net cost to the City of Pickering, and sales are subject to a 3 percent charge to cover processing/transaction fees.
2. Host an Annual Community Compost Giveaway event
The City of Pickering continues to partner with the Region to host an annual Community Compost Giveaway event, at which residents can purchase new bins and exchange broken ones free of charge. The event is scheduled for May 25, 2024, in the parking lot of Don Beer Arena. As of the time this report was written, the attendance metrics would not be available.
Medium-term Actions:
1. Investigate using a Regional facility to offer bin sales/exchanges
The intent behind this action was to make it more convenient for Pickering residents to buy/exchange bins. Currently, this action is no longer being explored by Region staff since it has been addressed through the implementation of Long-term Action 1.
2. Explore Regional attendance at future City events or pop-up events
The Region has limited staff resources to attend additional events outside of the annual Community Compost Giveaway, and biannual E-Waste & Household Hazardous Waste Collection events. However, as outlined under Long-term Action 1, with the future implementation of a home delivery service, it will be very convenient for residents to
purchase/exchange bins.
SUS 06-24 June 10, 2024
Subject: Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability Page 3
Long-term Actions:
1. Review supporting bin sales through 311 phone service, E-Commerce platform, or
commercial retailers
The Region Waste Management staff have expedited aspects of this long-term action to streamline a process for residents to purchase/exchange kitchen containers for food waste, curbside green bins, and backyard composters. Effective July 1, 2024, Durham Region residents will be able to call 311 or access the Region’s online E-Commerce
platform to place an order. The Region has secured a third-party company to deliver
these units directly to resident’s homes.
Providing this door-to-door service for residents eliminates the need for the Region of Durham to:
• establish sales/exchanges at another Regional facility
• attend additional municipal events/pop-ups
• explore partnerships with commercial retailers
2. Transition to Extended Producer Responsibility
Effective, July 1, 2024, the Region will no longer be responsible for the weekly curbside pickup of blue box contents, distribution of new blue boxes, and exchange of damaged units. Durham’s recycling program will be managed by Circular Materials, an organization representing the producers of materials being recycled in the blue box. The Region will notify residents of this service change in several ways, including affixing a sticker to every
curbside blue box to advise them both about the transition, and how it will not affect their weekly schedule or what they currently recycle. The Region will also provide residents with information on who to contact for recycling related questions.
As directed by Council through Resolution #232/23, City of Pickering and Region of Durham
staff have successfully implemented several initiatives to enable Pickering residents to have
easier access to purchase or replace waste diversion bins within the community.
Attachments:
1. Resolution #143/23
2. Resolution #232/23
SUS 06-24 June 10, 2024
Subject: Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability Page 4
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Kristy Gagen Kyle Bentley, P. Eng
Coordinator, Environmental Engagement Director, City Development & CBO
Original Signed By
Chantal Whitaker, BESc (Hons), CSR-P Manager, Sustainability & Strategic Environmental Initiatives
KG:jc
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer
Attachment 1 to Report SUS 06-24
Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum
March 30, 2023
To: Kyle Bentley Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
March 27, 2023
Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability
Council Decision Resolution #143/23
Please take any action deemed necessary.
WHEREAS, the current closest blue and green bin exchange/purchase location is the Durham Region Depot in Whitby;
And Whereas, the blue and green bin exchange in Pickering has been limited to the
compost pick up day at the Chestnut Hill Development Recreation Complex;
And Whereas, Pickering residents have expressed that more convenient arrangements for blue and green bin exchange/purchase would be desirable;
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Council of The Corporation of the City of Pickering directs City staff through the Office of the CAO to:
1.Further work with the Region of Durham Waste Management staff to exploreopportunities for more local and convenient locations for Pickering residents to
have access to the blue and green bin replacements;
2.That staff consider options that include but are not limited to the following:
i.introducing local pick up location(s) such as a Region or City facility,
ii.coordinate with City/community events, such as compost giveaway, Artfest,etc.,
iii.use of 311 to arrange drop off, and,
iv.arrangements with commercial/retail partners;
3.That staff report back to Council by end of second quarter 2023;
4.That this motion be forwarded to the Commissioner of Works, Region ofDurham.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Legislative Services Division Clerk’s Office Directive Memorandum
June 30, 2023
To: Kyle Bentley Director, City Development & CBO
From: Susan Cassel City Clerk
Subject: Direction as per Minutes of the Meeting of City Council held on
June 26, 2023
Director, City Development & CBO, Report SUS 07-23 Enhanced Blue Box and Green Bin Availability Council Resolution #143/23
Council Decision Resolution #232/23
Please take any action deemed necessary.
Susan Cassel
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
1.That the City of Pickering staff continue to work with the Region of Durham,and be authorized to take the necessary actions to enhance residents’
access to blue and green bins as outlined in this report, including to enablethe sale of blue boxes, blue box lids, kitchen containers for food waste, andcurbside green bins from the Chestnut Hill Developments RecreationComplex; and,
2.That staff be directed to report back to Council in Q2 2024 with an update onactions taken to address blue box and green bin availability.
Attachment 2 to Report SUS 06-24