October 21, 1998
To:Works and Utilities Committee
From:A. Bacopoulos
General Manager - Solid Waste Management Services
Subject:Submission by Toronto Environmental Alliance Regarding Fast Tracking of Waste
Diversion
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to respond to the submission by the Toronto Environmental
Alliance regarding fast tracking of waste diversion.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
This report is for information only and therefore there are no funding or financial
implications.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At its meeting of September 9, 1998, the Works and Utilities Committee referred a
submission by the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) to the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services for a report thereon to the Committee.
The submission by TEA requested a report on how to achieve 60 percent diversion of organics
from residences and small green grocers in two years and 80 percent in four years, and to
identify the costs to achieve these targets. The submission also requested that staff report on
the contents of waste that would be remaining in Toronto's garbage following aggressive
diversion plans that include: re-use, deposit/return for beverage containers, maximizing fibre
collection in the blue box program and achieving 80 percent diversion of organics.
Discussion and Justification:
Diversion of municipal organics is currently being achieved through our leaf and yard waste
composting, backyard composting and grasscycling programs. These programs are currently
diverting approximately 105,000 tonnes of organics annually. This represents diversion of
approximately 25 - 30 percent of the organics that are estimated to be generated in Toronto by
single family households, multi-family units and small commercial establishments serviced by
municipal collection, such as green grocers.
We continue to increase the quantity of organics diverted by these programs through
promotion and public education and the ongoing distribution of backyard composters.
However, it is not possible to reach organic waste diversion levels of 60 to 80 percent without
organic food waste collection and centralized composting facilities, and/or mixed waste
processing. This is based on the findings of the 3Rs Strategy Draft Report, prepared by RIS
Ltd., which was before Metro Council in July 1997 and formed the basis for Council's
adoption of a waste diversion target of at least 50 percent by the year 2006.
To reach the high organics waste diversion targets suggested by TEA, which we agree are
feasible, major capital investment in facilities would be required. For example, according to
the RIS report, three central composting facilities would be required to process organic waste
from single family households alone, at a total capital cost of $30 - $40 million. To achieve
these organics diversion targets within the next two to four years would require building such
facilities almost immediately, which we do not feel is prudent at this time.
Issues related to organics collection and centralized composting/mixed waste processing need
to be addressed before proceeding with full scale implementation. This includes assessing the
public's willingness to set out organics for collection, the impact on collection costs and the
viability of organics composting and mixed waste processing within Toronto. It is for this
reason that we are proceeding with a phased implementation approach, starting with a 20,000
tonne per year composting and mixed waste processing facility, which is expected to be
operational by March, 2000. This will help us determine the most viable system, at which
time additional facilities can be constructed. We will also be considering waste diversion
approaches in the Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process for waste management
capacity, which may allow us to examine alternate waste processing methods, and ultimately
may allow us to accelerate our diversion targets.
It is difficult to isolate the costs of achieving organic waste diversion targets of 60 - 80 percent
since organics would be part of an overall system, which would likely entail co-collection of
recyclables and organic waste. However, it is worth noting that the RIS report did cost out
various systems which would achieve overall diversion rates for the City of Toronto (i.e.
organics and recyclables) ranging from 29 - 80 percent, without user pay. The report showed
that an overall diversion rate of 80 percent is achievable although at a higher cost. For
example, systems achieving overall diversion rates of 52 percent had a net annual system cost
of $94 million to $98 million. This compared to a net annual cost of $109 million for a system
achieving 80 percent diversion.
Estimating the composition of waste that would be left after aggressive diversion programs
requires further analysis. There has not been a comprehensive residential waste composition
study done in Toronto for over ten years. We are planning to undertake waste composition
studies in 1999, to get a more accurate picture of the levels of recyclable and compostable
material in the waste stream. Once these studies are complete, we will be in a better position
to assess the composition of waste remaining after aggressive diversion programs.
Conclusions:
Organic waste diversion levels of 60 - 80% are feasible, but will require a system which
includes organic food waste collection and centralized composting facilities, and/or mixed
waste processing. We are proceeding with a phased implementation approach, starting with a
20,000 tonne per year composting and mixed waste processing facility. In the meantime, we
are also continuing to increase the quantity of organic waste being diverted through our leaf
and yard waste composting, backyard composting and grasscycling programs.
Contact Name:
Tim Michael
Manager - Waste Diversion
Solid Waste Management Services
Metro Hall
Phone: (416) 392-8506
Fax: (416) 392-4754
E-mail: Tim_Michael@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
Angelos Bacopoulos
General Manager
Solid Waste Management Division
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner
Works & Emergency Services
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