STAFF REPORT
March 6, 2000
To: Works Committee
From: Barry H. Gutteridge , Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Reverse Vending Machine Pilot Project and Increased Recycling in Public Places
Purpose:
To respond toa request from the Works Committee to report on developing a reverse vending machine pilot project and on
increasing the use of recycling containers in malls and public places
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications arising from this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Background:
At its meeting of September 8, 1999, the Works Committee had before it a report entitled "Soft Drink Containers
Originating From Vending Machines." The Committee requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to:
(i)work with interested parties to develop a voluntary pilot project at City-owned facilities for reverse vending machines, to
be funded by the private sector; and to report back to the Committee with the terms of reference for such a pilot project;
and
ii)report back to the Committee on increasing the use of recycling containers in malls and public places.
Comments:
(1)Reverse Vending Machine Pilot
Discussions have been held with Urban Intelligence Inc., who deputed at the September 8, 1999 Works Committee
meeting on behalf of their client, TOMRA Systems Inc., concerning a pilot program to test reverse vending machines.
TOMRA, in conjunction with Urban Intelligence Inc. has offered to supply three reverse vending machines (RVMs) to the
City at no cost for three months. TOMRA Systems Inc. produces a range of "smart" RVMs which use laser scanners to
distinguish between glass, PET, and aluminium containers and which can issue coupons.
The project will test RVMs as a method of recovering recyclable beverage containers in public places. The RVMs will
issue coupons to patrons who return PET, aluminum or glass containers to the RVM. Since the City of Toronto is not in a
deposit-return environment, a third party corporate sponsor will provide some type of coupon (e.g., for a specific product
or event) which will give an incentive for the public to deposit containers in the RVMs. The project will track the recovery
of the recyclable containers and the costs and revenues involved.
Solid Waste Management Services staff have been investigating City-owned facilities as potential host sites. It is important
to have three high profile locations with a high level of pedestrian traffic. The Zoo is interested in exploring the possibility
of participating, pending appropriate approvals. The Parks and Recreation Division's Ferry Docks are also interested in
being a potential host site to one of the RVMs. The TTC is being investigated as a potential host and have been contacted
in writing to request their involvement. The Toronto School Board has also been contacted and has expressed interest in
participating in this project. It is expected that the locations will be confirmed before the end of April, 2000.
The following are draft terms of reference for the reverse vending machine pilot project:
Terms of Reference
(1)The City is interested in participating in a reverse vending machine pilot project to be funded by the private sector.
(2)The City will work with TOMRA Systems Inc. and their consultant to enlist three high profile locations at which to site
"smart" reverse vending machines.
(3)The pilot will commence in the summer of 2000 and last for a period of approximately three months.
(4)TOMRA will be responsible for the supply, installation (including provision of an appropriate shelter such as a kiosk or
awning), repairs to the RVMs for the duration of the pilot, and the removal of the RVMs upon completion of the pilot.
(5)The pilot project host site staff will be responsible for emptying and marketing the containers collected by the RVM and
the host site will keep the proceeds from the sale of the materials.
(6)TOMRA and their consultant will source and provide private sector sponsored coupons to be dispensed by the machine,
with the sponsors of the coupons subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.
(7)TOMRA and their consultant may source and display advertising on the machines, subject to the approval of the
Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, and the host site. TOMRA and their consultant will also cover the costs
of promoting the pilot project.
(8)TOMRA Systems Inc. will have liability insurance on the machines in an amount deemed necessary by the
Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.
(2)Increasing the Use of Recycling Containers in Malls and Public Places
The collection of recyclable materials and waste in malls is the responsibility of the malls' property management. An initial
investigation indicates that many malls and concourse areas have some sort of recycling containers for public use in the
food court areas. The effectiveness of these containers is not known. The primary recyclable material generated in high
volumes at malls, however, is corrugated cardboard which would be a "behind the storefront" operation.
According to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Regulation 103/94, retail shopping establishments and retail
shipping complexes (a group of retail shopping establishments) must implement a source separation recycling program if
its floor area is at least 10,000 square metres.
As for recycling containers in public areas, Works and Emergency Services is in the process of replacing a large portion of
the existing curbside litter bins with over 3000 new multi-compartment litter bins in most areas of the City. The new litter
bins are substantially larger than the old litter bins and have three compartments to accommodate litter and recyclables
(newspapers and containers), which will provide "away-from-home" recycling opportunities for pedestrians.
The City has promoted the new three compartment litter/recycling bins in a recent issue of Waste Watch and has had a
kick-off media event with the Mayor on November 24, 1999 at City Hall. We will continue to promote the proper use of
the bins including putting information on the City's web page. As well, Corporations Supporting Recycling (CSR) is
arranging for their members to sponsor advertising panels on forty of the new litter bins in the downtown area which will
educate pedestrians on the proper use of these bins.
In addition, the Canadian Soft Drink Association, in conjunction with the Canadian Bottled Water Association
(participation to be confirmed), are planning a promotional campaign to encourage the proper use of our new OMG Media
bins. Students hired as "Roving Recyclers" will hand out contest entry forms to people observed using the OMG Media
bins to recycle their single serve beverage containers.
Contest participants will be eligible to win a variety of prizes ranging from a personal computer to T-shirts. The contest
will be promoted on 80 OMG Media bin advertizing panels, as well as in convenience stores. We have been advised that
all the funding for this project ($100,000) is now coming from the Waste Diversion Organization (WDO) (see separate
report on the WDO on this agenda).
Conclusions:
The draft terms of reference will form the further development of the pilot project. Discussions are underway with potential
host sites for the reverse vending machines. Following completion of the pilot project, we will report back on the results
including diversion, costs, revenues, and host site experience with the reverse vending machines.
The use of recycling containers in malls is mandated by MOE regulations and is the responsibility of the malls' property
management. The City is replacing existing litter bins in most areas of the City with new three compartment bins which
provide "away-from-home" recycling opportunities for pedestrians. In addiiton, the WDO is funding a "Roving Recyclers"
campaign to promote the proper use of the City's OMG Media bins.
Contact:
Renee Dello
Coordinator, Waste Diversion Planning
Solid Waste Management Services
Metro Hall
Phone: (416) 392-5806
Fax: (416) 392-4754
e-mail: rdello@toronto.ca
Angelos Bacopoulos
General Manager
Solid Waste Management Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
RD:RD
(revend.doc)
