Blue Box Container Material Processing Contract

The Works and Utilities Committee recommends the adoption of the report dated June 16, 1998, from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

The Works and Utilities Committee reports having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to:

(1)quickly take steps to develop an immediate strategy to enhance the visual appearance and odour control at the Commissioners Street facility; and

(2)submit a report to the Committee on alternative material processing capacity.

The Works and Utilities Committee submits the following report (June 16, 1998) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to seek authority not to proceed with the finalization of a contract for either the supply of Blue Box container material processing capacity, or the design, construction and operation of a Blue Box Material Recovery Facility at the Dufferin Transfer Station.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications arising from this report at this time.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that staff be authorized not to proceed with the finalization of a contract for either the supply of Blue Box container material processing capacity, or the design, construction and operation of a Material Recovery Facility at the Dufferin Transfer Station.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting held on September 24 and 25, 1997, the former Metropolitan Council adopted, with amendment, Clause No. 3 of Report No. 12 of The Environment and Public Space Committee, headed "Selection of Expanded Blue Box Material Processing Capacity". This confidential joint report from the Acting Chief Administrative Officer, the Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer, and the Commissioner of Works for the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto, recommended, in part, that the Commissioner of Metro Works be given authority to enter into negotiations to contract for the design, construction and operation of a Material Recovery Facility at the Dufferin Transfer Station (Dufferin MRF).

Discussion and Justification:

In recent months, there has been considerable discussion concerning the possibility of a deposit/return system for wine and liquor containers. With this in mind, staff undertook to review alternative waste management scenarios that would enable the City to meet its current Blue Box container processing requirements and, at the same time, provide the necessary processing flexibility to adjust to substantial changes in material composition that might arise as the result of a deposit/return system. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not know whether a deposit/return system for beverage containers will be put into effect in the near future. The implementation of such a system would have a significant impact on our Blue Box container material processing requirements. As such, we feel that it would not be prudent to enter into any long-term material processing contracts, including execution of the Miller Waste Systems contract for the design, construction and operation of a Blue Box MRF at the Dufferin Transfer Station until we know the outcome surrounding the implementation of a deposit/return system.

Conclusion:

Until we know more about the likelihood of a deposit/return system, it is recommended that staff be authorized not to proceed with the finalization of a contract for either the supply of Blue Box container material processing capacity, or, the design, construction and operation of a Material Recovery Facility at the Dufferin Transfer Station.

Staff will monitor the issues surrounding deposit/return and will report back to the Works and Utilities Committee by January 1999, or earlier, to recommend a preferred course of action with respect to the supply of Blue Box container material processing capacity.

Contact Name:

Andrew Pollock, Senior Manager - Waste Diversion and Planning

Solid Waste Management Division, Metro Hall

Phone: (416) 392-4715; Fax: (416) 392-4754

E-mail: Andy_Pollock@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca.

--------

The Works and Utilities Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter a confidential report dated June 16, 1998, from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, respecting the Blue Box container material processing contract, a copy of which has been forwarded to all Members of Council under confidential cover.

Mr. Blair McArthur, Vice-President, and Mr. Scott Wolfe, General Manager, Miller Waste Systems, and Mr. Ivan Fleischmann, Miller Thomson, Barristers and Solicitors, appeared before the Works and Utilities Committee, in camera, in connection with the foregoing matter and filed a confidential submission with respect thereto.