Niagara Region Waste Management Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 Niagara Region Waste Management Advisory Committee Niagara Region Headquarters Building 2201 St. David s Rd., Thorold Tuesday, March 26, pm 9 pm, CR #4 MEETING WMAC s Present: Dr. John Bacher Ms. Heather Verrier Mr. Dean Cruikshank Mr. David Hall Mr. Colin Macfarlane Mr. Vincent Pignataro Mr. Bryant Prosser Mr. Doug Symington (Chair) Ms. Holly Washuta Mr. Dave Wiley Mr. Gregg Furtney Mr. Albert Witteveen Regrets: Ms. Lana MacPherson Mr. Gavin Coman Mr. Mike Balsom Absent: Ms. Jane Hanlon Guest: Mr. John Abbott Niagara Region WMS Staff Present: Ms. Catherine Habermebl, Acting Director, Waste Management Services Mr. Bob Vanyo, Contract Manager, Waste Management Services Mr. Brad Whitelaw, Program Manager, Waste Management Services Ms. Cheryl Crawley, Waste Management Coordinator 1. Approval of Agenda Motion: To approve the March 26, 2013 meeting agenda. Moved by: Holly Washuta Seconded by: David Hall Carried. 2. Business Arising from Previous Meeting a) Alternative Technologies RFP Update Staff provided an update to members. The RFP closed on February 28, 2013 and five submissions were received. A working group of six staff members involving Water and Wastewater and Waste Management Services will be evaluating the proposal submissions. Staff will be meeting on March 27, 2013, and a further update, including a project timeline, will be provided at the next WMAC meeting. 3. Presentations a) Communications Plan for Illegal Dumping Campaign (relating to item 4a) Page 1 of 8

2 Bob Vanyo, Contract Manager, Collection and Diversion Operations Staff provided members with an overview of the campaign, including the communications plan, public engagement survey, online reporting tool and several illegal dumping sign concepts. s were encouraged to submit comments to staff by by March 28, 2013, so that they can be properly compiled and submitted to project staff. s comments are included in Appendix 1 of these minutes. b) An Assessment of Single and Dual Stream Recycling (relating to items 5c and d) Brad Whitelaw, Program Manager Staff provided an update to members on the assessment of single and dual stream recycling, including the pros and cons, comparative results and conclusions from the two reports. There were several related questions/comments from members: A member asked if single stream recycling would increase contamination for newspaper. Staff responded yes, especially from broken glass contamination. A member asked why a new study will be conducted. Staff responded that the last study was completed in 2007; consequently there was a need to update data due to costs and equipment upgrades. Each municipality should analyze their own programs due to differing factors. The Chair mentioned the recent presentation from the collection contractor and the process for recycling IC&I material included single stream. Staff commented that for IC&I material, many haulers and processors are using single stream process, which further confirms the need to conduct a study. A member commented on contamination from different types of plastics. Staff confirmed that some new PLA (polylactic acid) plastics are a challenge in the recycling process, as they are not acceptable material. The member also asked about the status of the EPR program. Staff responded that this is a Provincial and Federal issue and major steps need to occur (e.g. WDA review, etc.). Another staff member added that the WDO is currently compiling comments on changes to the EPR and other related programs. A member commented that the dual stream system seems to be working well and the Region should stay the course. The Chair commented that due to the Region s demographics, it may be more difficult to change to a single stream system. Motion: To receive the presentations. Moved by: John Bacher Seconded by: David Hall Carried. 4. Items for Consideration a) Communications Plan for Illegal Dumping Campaign and Draft Communications Page 2 of 8

3 Pieces for Committee Input*: Draft Designs for Illegal Dumping Campaign Signage Public Engagement Web Survey Online Illegal Dumping Reporting Tool Mobile: Desktop: * s to provide input on the Plan and the draft communications pieces to C. Crawley cheryl.crawley@niagararegion.ca by Thursday, March 28, The illegal dumping communication plan, signage, public engagement web survey and online reporting tool were discussed previously by staff and members under item 3a) and all comments are included in Appendix 1 of these minutes. 5. Items for Information Staff provided updates to members on the following information items: a) Reusable Goods Drop-off, Humberstone Landfill Site Launch Event b) Letter Response to K. Traynor Regarding Resignation from WMAC c) An Assessment of Single and Dual Stream Recycling, Waste Diversion Ontario Continuous Improvement Fund Office Report, November 1, 2012 (Staff Direction) d) Resource Recycling Magazine Article The Battle for Recycling, February 2013 e) Carpet Recycling Vendor Overview (Staff Direction) f) Handling of Compact Fluorescent Lamp CFL Bulbs (Staff Direction) g) Conference Board of Canada Municipal Waste Generation, January 2013 h) OWMA Rethink Waste - News Release and Report, March 2013 i) Staff Directions Update j) Meeting Minutes January 22, 2013 Minutes (Approved Via ) Motion: To receive the items for information. Moved by: Albert Witteveen Seconded by: Gregg Furtney Carried. 6. Other Business Staff reviewed the memo regarding the analysis of socio-economic and demographic results of top 5 performing municipal comparators with members (Staff Direction). 7. Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 21, 2013, Niagara Region Headquarters Building, 2201 St. David s Road, Thorold, Committee Room #4 8. Adjournment Page 3 of 8

4 Appendix 1 - WMAC /Questions on the Illegal Dumping Campaign - March Is there an opportunity to promote that some items can be collected through the large item collection program or drop-off depot (i.e. furniture, appliances, tires etc.)? Campaign is aimed at illegal dumping reporting, but will include information on curbside collection program and drop-off depots. The goals of the campaign are to increase illegal dumping reporting and raise awareness of illegal dumping and target those who dump to decrease occurrences. Staff will be tracking illegal dumping tonnages, locations, etc. 2. Will staff be staking out hot spots? Generally, illegal dumping occurs at night and there are staffing challenges with this. 3. There should be an explanation of nonobvious types of illegal dumping (i.e. litter bins). Regarding signage: Signs should be generic for all locations, should be clear and simple and use both local and numbers. The signs should be near all municipal entrances (i.e. City of St. Catharines sign along QEW). Should be clear to new Canadians picture of garbage bag is good (due to possible language barriers). 4. What about dumping at donation bins (e.g. Salvation Army)? How will it work with private property for fines? Campaign will include key messages as to what qualifies as illegal dumping. Donation bins are private property the owner of the property is responsible for illegal dumping. The Region does not have jurisdiction on private property. Page 4 of 8

5 5. Asked why he could not go through illegal dumping near his property. If property owner goes through illegally dumped material, and the illegal dumper is fined, the court could allege the property owner tampered with illegally dumped material. Staff requested that property owners call the Region when illegally dumped material is found. Could the names and photos of convicted illegal dumpers be publicized? Notices more illegal dumping near his property at end of month (when people are moving). 6. Has anyone been fined for illegal dumping? Yes Could we add to sign please recycle? Could a video be produced? Will the signs be just on regional roads? Likes proof #8 7. Has staff consulted with the MOE or legal staff (due to possible legal issues, e.g. material unwillingly falls off a moving vehicle)? 8. Has seen more illegal dumping on unimproved roads. Would like to see service clubs /community groups such as scouts, Bruce Trail club, schools, etc. be included when promoting illegal dumping campaign. No, it is illegal to publicize names and photos of illegal dumpers. However, staff will share this information with municipalities. Illegal dumping signs will be posted at hot spots and where no dumping signs are currently posted. No, but will take under advisement Regarding illegally dumped shingles: perhaps if residents were required to obtain a permit for shingling roofs, it could help with illegally dumped shingles. Page 5 of 8

6 Will additional staff be required to handle extra calls, etc.? 9. Will campaign have jurisdiction on private property? Should include number on version #8. ed comments: Not at this time. Staff anticipates that the campaign will lead to less illegal dumping. No, but staff will work with property owner to have material cleaned up. Also, the illegal dumping pamphlet will have information on where to take material.. For after hours, the illegal dumping reporter may contact dispatch if material needs to be taken care of immediately (i.e. road emergency). 1. On the Communications Plan : - Like the overall concept and approach that is proposed. - Like the intent and goals set out. - Like the collaborative and cooperative approach being taken to have the Region and all municipalities work together with a common goal. - Like the intended structure for reporting illegal dumping proposed in the campaign. - Like the expectation of a recording of the results at the end of the campaign. - Concerned about the legal definition of illegal dumping as restricted to public property. I suggest, for this campaign, there be consideration to including the dumping of material on private property. With the cooperation and agreement of the private property owner, Public Works (both Region and all municipalities) should remove and dispose of such waste and include it in the campaign results recording. - Possible modifications of illegal dumping definition after the results are known to accommodate private property dumping. Page 6 of 8

7 - Suggest the message of available curbside programs, other reuse and landfill options be given strong focus in the media and all information communications as the practical alternative to illegal dumping be reinforced strongly and often. - Under Strategy and Tactics, I like the ideas proposed at the WMAC meeting regarding engaging specific groups in the community. Schools and Bruce Trail were mentioned. Add service clubs like Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc and Boy Scouts/Girl Guides and social groups like Seniors Centers and sporting centers like YMCA and the municipal arenas, libraries and civic centers. - Promotion of anti-litter and opportunities for groups to volunteer to maintain specific sections of roadways could be considered as an addendum to the campaign. Litter and illegal dumping are similar anti-social behaviour. Raising awareness of both together may have merit. 2. On the Draft Illegal Dumping Signage : - Like the version distributed at the WMAC meeting. - Like the proposal to remove all existing signage and have the one standardized sign used throughout the Region and all municipalities. - Like the proposal to place the signs at hotspots and any area reported throughout the campaign. - Suggest the 800 number be used on all signs. - Consider placing the signs temporarily on certain speed limit signposts on selected rural Regional roads in the proximity of known or potential hotspots. 3. On the Public Engagement Web Survey : - Like the proposal to survey the public. Page 7 of 8

8 - Suggest the preamble include a phrase describing the intention to support efforts to identify and reduce illegal dumping in Niagara. - Suggest there be a layman friendly concise description of the Regional Bylaw. (Other than your local lawyer, no one will easily know what the actual wording of the by-law means.) - Suggest a question be added to ask if dumping is reported but is found to be on private property should it be, with the owners permission, cleaned up by Public Works. - I think the question in section 1 Have you reported illegal dumping in the past should be moved as a separate question to the end of the survey. 4. On the Online Illegal Dumping Reporting Tool - Like the separate websites for mobile and desktop reporting. - Like very much the use of social media to communicate the issue to the public and for the realtime option of having the public report live pictures and coordinates of actual illegal dumping activity. - Suggest the online form page be modified. The third sentence should read Residents found guilty of illegally dumping could face a fine up to $500. Presently the link to the Region s Waste Management By-Law takes you to exactly those documents 39 pages. With patience, by scrolling down to Part VI Further Restrictions on page 29, one finds the section on Illegal Dumping. Not too practical. I think and likely to turn off anyone who might be inclined to proceed to the actual next step of reporting an illegal dumping event. Page 8 of 8