THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

WMSAC-3/2020

Thursday, October 01, 2020

12:00 P.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, 5th Floor

Regional Administrative Headquarters

10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A

Brampton, Ontario

Members Present:

• G.S. Dhillon
• P. Fortini
• A. Groves
• N. Iannicca
• J. Innis
• M. Mahoney
• M. Palleschi
• K. Ras
• I. Sinclair
• R. Starr

Members Absent:

• J. Kovac

Staff Present

• N. Polsinelli, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
• S. Baird, Commissioner of Digital and Information Services
• K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Interim Commissioner of Corporate Services
• S. VanOfwegen, Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
• P. O'Connor, Regional Solicitor
• A. Farr, Interim Commissioner of Public Works
• N. Lee, Director, Waste Management
• J. Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services
• C. Granger, Acting Commissioner of Health Services
• A. Adams, Deputy Clerk and Acting Director of Clerk’s
• C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
• S. Jurrius, Committee Clerk
• Harjit Gill, Legislative Specialist
• R. Khan, Legislative Technical Coordinator
• S. Valleau, Legislative Specialist
• A. Dhindsa, Legislative Assistant

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Region of Peel Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee met on October 1, 2020 at 12:00 p.m., in the Regional Council Chamber, 5th Floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, ON. The Committee Chair attended in-person. Members of the Committee and staff participated electronically.

Councillor Kovac was absent due to personal matters.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil

3.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-12-2020

  That the agenda for the October 1, 2020 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting include an oral update on waste management services during COVID-19, to be dealt under Reports – Item 5.3 as the first item of business;
  
  And further, that the agenda for the October 1, 2020 Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting be approved, as amended.

4.

DELEGATIONS

Nil

5.

REPORTS

Item 5.3 was dealt with.

5.3

Update on Waste Management Services During COVID-19

(Oral)

• Received

Norman Lee, Director, Waste Management, provided an update regarding recent activities on waste management services during COVID-19 and stated that two free bags of garbage without tags at the curb continue to be accepted; fees at the Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) for loads of less than 100 kg and for the first 100 kg of larger loads continue to be waived; CRC extended hours have been reduced; sale of compost, backyard composters and kitchen containers are suspended; and, used tires and cash payments are not accepted. While preparing for a possible resurgence of COVID-19, Regional staff will continue to monitor the collection and CRC activities and assess the best time to resume the remaining waste services. He highlighted market trends on non-acceptance of glass from the Region’s blue box and discontinued purchase of non-marketable plastic grocery bags and other film plastics from some municipalities, including the Region of Peel.

Norman Lee advised that a recommendation to reinstate full fees at CRCs is imminent as data indicates the need for waived fees is diminishing. To date, changes to Peel’s waste management services during COVID-19 resulted in increased costs and reduced revenues with a net impact of approximately $5 million. He noted that staff will report to a future Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee meeting with recommendations on changes to waste management services beyond the pandemic.

In response to a question of clarification from Councillor Ras, Norman Lee stated that residents can continue to recycle plastic grocery bags in the blue box. Plastic grocery bags are separated at the waste facility and staff are looking into alternatives for plastic grocery bags instead of sending to landfill.

5.1

Status Update: Mixed Waste Processing Pilot

(Oral)
Presentation by Norman Lee, Director of Waste Management

• Received

Norman Lee, Director, Waste Management, provided an overview of the work plan for the Mixed Waste Processing (MWP) Pilot Project. He noted that staff has ongoing discussions with other Ontario municipalities on MWP. Potential partnership with other municipalities could benefit the pilot project and reduce the Region’s costs and risk. Regional staff reviewed planning constraints to help identify potentially suitable sites within the Region of Peel and will meet with local planning staff to refine screening in preparation for discussions with the Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) respondents.

The desired project outcomes include production of marketable products that will enable the Region to meet its diversion targets at a reasonable cost; consistent compliance with applicable regulatory and market requirements; facility performance that can accommodate changes in waste composition; and, reporting requirements for facility operational data and analytical work. Norman Lee outlined the key terms and responsibilities of the contractors and the Region of Peel for the project and advised that the project is expected to run for five years with an option to extend the contract if the pilot is successful. The REOI will be posted on the Region of Peel’s website in November 2020 and will be open to all interested vendors.

Norman Lee stated that the findings and final recommendations of the subject pilot project will be presented to a future meeting of the Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee and interim updates will be provided to the Committee as required.

In response to a question of clarification from Councillor Ras, Norman Lee stated that staff will continue with the MWP process as planned however potential partnerships with other municipalities could add considerable time to the planning. He advised that the outcomes of the discussions with other municipalities will be included in the final report to a future Committee meeting.

In response to a question of clarification from Councillor Starr, Norman Lee stated that the Niagara Escarpment Commission and conservation authorities have set rules for facilities developed within their area of jurisdiction. Regional staff will reach out to staff at the conservation authorities to discuss development restrictions and how mixed waste processing would fit into their areas of responsibilities.

5.2

Curbside and Multi-Residential Enforcement Programs to Reduce Blue Box Contamination

• RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-13-2020

  That Region-wide curbside and multi-residential enforcement programs be implemented to reduce contamination in the blue box and other waste collection programs as outlined in the report of the Interim Commissioner of Public Works titled “Curbside and Multi-Residential Enforcement Programs to Reduce Blue Box Contamination”;
  
  And further, that curbside households that regularly set out extra bags of recycling be provided with education on how to fit more recycling in the blue cart and, where appropriate as determined by staff, be given a larger or second blue cart as outlined in the subject report;
  
  And further, that the programs outlined in the subject report be funded from general working fund reserves.
• RECOMMENDATION WMSAC-14-2020

  That staff be directed to provide regular updates or messaging regarding the Region of Peel curbside and multi-residential programs to Members of Council to be shared with constituents.

Norman Lee, Director, Waste Management, stated that the Region-wide curbside and multi-residential enforcement programs ran for over a year and tested various levels of education and enforcement to determine what produced sustained behaviour. As a result of the Region of Peel’s campaign, the number of households that had less than 10 per cent contamination increased from 60 to 80 per cent for the curbside program; and, the number of multi-residential buildings that locked their bins when requested increased from 50 to 80 per cent with a 100 per cent participation rate upon issuance of a Notice to Comply for the multi-residential program. By-law Enforcement Officers continue to have the ability to issue fines when appropriate, for both programs. Regional staff recommend that protocols be established to ensure residents who regularly set out extra recycling in bags have adequate cart capacity.

In response to a question from Councillor Ras, Norman Lee stated that education and enforcement will continue for households that do not set out the green bins and staff will monitor the areas that do not comply with the curbside and multi-residential programs.

Councillor Ras requested that staff notify ward Councillors of areas that may require more outreach or communication to residents to increase participation on the curbside and multi-residential programs.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil

7.

OTHER BUSINESS

Nil

8.

IN CAMERA

Nil

9.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Waste Management Strategic Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., Regional Administrative Headquarters, Council Chamber, 5th floor, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, ON.

Please forward regrets to Stephanie Jurrius, Committee Clerk, [phone], extension 4502 or at [email protected].

10.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m.