Solid Waste Management Plan Update

Engagement has now closed.

Metro Vancouver is reviewing all feedback for consideration in the draft solid waste management plan.

Project overview

Metro Vancouver is responsible for waste reduction and recycling planning, and operating a series of solid waste facilities in the region.

Metro Vancouver's current Solid Waste Management Plan was approved by the BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in 2011. The plan established goals, strategies, and actions for the management of garbage and recyclable materials for Metro Vancouver and its member jurisdictions.

Purpose

Provincial guidelines recommend initiating a plan review on or before the 10-year anniversary of the current plan's approval.

Metro Vancouver is updating its solid waste management plan, building on the strengths of the current plan, and identifying opportunities for accelerated waste reduction and recycling while reducing greenhouse gases and promoting a circular economy.

Progress

Metro Vancouver has concluded the Options Analysis phase and is now reviewing the feedback from First Nations, member jurisdictions, advisory committees, industry representatives, not-for-profit organizations, and members of the public. The draft plan will be available for review and comment in 2026. Sign up for updates to be notified when the draft plan is ready for review.

Following previous phases of engagement, the GVS&DD Board approved a vision statement, guiding principles, and updated waste hierarchy for the updated solid waste management plan.

Vision: A thriving region where nothing is wasted and resources are valued.

Guiding principles:

A solid waste and recycling system that is affordable, convenient, and consistent across the region
A solid waste system that is resilient to climate change and future challenges
Accountability from residents, businesses and governments to prevent waste
Environmental stewardship and climate action
Inclusive solid waste services and programs
Innovation and collaboration to support a vibrant regional economy that keeps products and materials in circulation
Transparency about what happens to garbage and recycling

Waste hierarchy

Goals	Components
1. Enable circular systems that preserve resources	Rethink Design waste-free systems Transition to a circular economy
2. Minimize waste generation	Reduce Prevent Use less
3. Keep materials in use as long as possible	Reuse Share/Donate Repair/Refurbish Repurpose
4. Make it easier to recycle effectively	Recycle Recycle into new products Compost and anaerobic digestion
5. Recover resources from non-recyclable materials	Recover Recover materials from the waste stream Create alternatives to fossil fuels
6. Dispose only as a last resort	Dispose Landfill and mass burn waste-to-energy

Engagement

Metro Vancouver is committed to engaging audiences who may be impacted by or have an interest in the review and update of the solid waste management plan.

Pre-Engagement (April 27 – May 28, 2021)
The public pre-engagement phase ran from April 27 to May 28, 2021, with Indigenous pre-engagement extending to July 2, 2021 in alignment with Metro Vancouver’s Crown Regulatory Engagement process. Metro Vancouver received feedback from First Nations, communities of interest, key stakeholder groups, and residents on preferred communication channels, methods of engagement, and what is needed to make participation easier.

We heard support for:
- Early, continuous, and iterative opportunities to provide feedback
- A variety of online and in-person (when safe to do so) engagement opportunities
- Focused, sector-specific discussions
- Sufficient time to gather and submit feedback
- Clearly defined engagement purpose and expectations, and respect for the time required of busy stakeholders
- Transparency on how input is used, and factors considered when coming to a final decision
- Collaboration with others to host engagement events and amplify communications
- Fair and collaborative engagement that fosters active listening and an open mind
We received feedback through:
- 335 online questionnaire submissions
- 13 meetings with staff
- Four workshops and presentations
- Eight groups presented to the Consultation and Engagement Panel
- Written submissions from 6 organizations
- Updates to three municipal committees
- Four social media platforms
Metro Vancouver will use the feedback from this pre-engagement phase to help shape a multi-phased engagement program on the solid waste management plan update.

The results of the pre-engagement phase were reported to the Zero Waste Committee on July 16, 2021:
- Pre Engagement Results – Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Report
- Solid Waste Management Plan Independent Consultation and Engagement Panel - Correspondence
Vision and guiding principles engagement (September 18 – November 10, 2023)
Vision: A thriving region where nothing is wasted and resources are valued.

Guiding Principles:
1. A solid waste and recycling system that is affordable, convenient, and consistent across the region
2. A solid waste system that is resilient to climate change and future challenges
3. Accountability from residents, businesses and governments to prevent waste
4. Environmental stewardship and climate action
5. Inclusive solid waste services and programs
6. Innovation and collaboration to support a vibrant regional economy that keeps products and materials in circulation
7. Transparency about what happens to garbage and recycling
The purpose of this phase of engagement was to:
- Invite dialogue around the fundamental values that will guide plan development
- Develop the vision and guiding principles for an updated solid waste management plan
In spring 2023, Metro Vancouver met with local First Nations, member jurisdictions, adjacent regional districts, advisory committees, and the public on the vision and guiding principles for the plan.

Initial feedback was reported to the Zero Waste Committee on July 13, 2023:
- Solid Waste Management Plan: Vision and Guiding Principles Engagement Initial Feedback
Public engagement for the vision and guiding principles phase included these engagement opportunities:
- An online questionnaire
- Opportunities to speak with the solid waste services team at community events across the region
- Online and in-person workshops
- Opportunity to present to the Solid Waste Management Plan Independent Consultation and Engagement Panel
- Interviews with interested parties and community champions
The vision and guiding principles were approved by the GVS&DD Board on June 28, 2024.

Find information on the feedback provided by residents:
- Vision and Guiding Principles Phase Engagement Summary Report
- Vision and Guiding Principles Feedback One-Pager
Find more detailed information in the feedback log:
- Phase 1 Feedback Log
Idea generation engagement (September – November, 2024)
Public engagement for the idea generation phase of the plan’s update took place from September 16 to November 8, 2024. We heard from Metro Vancouver residents about ideas and opportunities to reduce waste and build innovation into the future of waste management in our region. The feedback received will result in a set of potential actions and strategies to be evaluated in the following phase: options analysis.

Feedback was received during this phase through:
- An online questionnaire
- Interactive booths at seven community events across the region
- Presentations from the public to the Consultation and Engagement Panel on January 17, 2025 about feedback on the idea generation phase of the engagement process. View a recording of the meeting.
- Collaborative engagement program
Resources
- Backgrounder – Solid Waste Management Plan Idea Generation
- Informational Handouts Supporting Discussion Topics – Idea Generation
We heard about your ideas on how products and materials that become waste can be reduced, reused, and recycled. Overall, our engagement with First Nations, member jurisdictions, advisory committees, non-profit organizations, businesses and associations, and public generated over 2,000 ideas for potential actions for an updated plan.

A report summarizing the feedback we received during the idea generation phase of engagement was presented to the Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Committee on July 3, 2025 and the GVS&DD Board on July 25, 2025. As a result of engagement feedback and research, draft goals and a draft waste hierarchy for an updated plan were developed and were endorsed by the GVS&DD Board.
- View the report to the Zero Waste Committee on Idea Generation Engagement
- View the report to the Zero Waste Committee on Draft Goals and Waste Hierarchy
Find information on the feedback provided by residents:
- Idea Generation Phase Engagement Summary Report
- Idea Generation Feedback One-Pager
Find more detailed information in the feedback log:
- Idea Generation Phase Feedback Log
An update was completed in August 2025 to remove duplicates and add a response column for Metro Vancouver.
Options analysis (September to October 31, 2025)
Public engagement for the Options Analysis phase took place from September 4 to October 31, 2025. Sign up for updates and to be notified when the engagement summary report is available.

In earlier phases of engagement, we heard input on values, challenges, and ideas for the updated plan. In the Options Analysis phase the goal was to evaluate the ideas that were generated by applying decision-making criteria and gathering feedback on potential strategies and actions to include in the updated solid waste management plan. This was the final step before drafting the new plan.
- Options Analysis: Backgrounder
We welcome your feedback on the engagement process that supports the plan update. You can share your thoughts by presenting to the Consultation and Engagement Panel. Complete this form to indicate your interest.

Questions? Reach out to the project team at zerowaste@metrovancouver.org.

Resources

View a list of potential actions and strategies being considered for inclusion in the updated solid waste management plan.

View the process to evaluate potential strategies and actions:
- Full List of Ideas Received From Idea Generation Engagement
- Assessment of Potential Strategies and Actions Completed By Stantec
  - Rethink
  - Reduce
  - Reuse
  - Recycle
  - Recover
- Options Analysis Rubric
- Draft Summary of Ideas Staff Consider Unadvisable
- Draft Summary of Ideas Staff Will Consider as Part of Other Plan Parts

Engagement has included the following groups:

Government and regulatory agencies: including First Nations in BC*, provincial and federal governments, member jurisdictions, adjacent regional districts, crown corporations, airport and port authorities, and health authorities
Waste and recycling industry: including haulers, processors, extended producer responsibility programs, disposal facilities, waste/recycling industry associations, binner community, and reuse/repair organizations
Waste producers: including various sectors such as food service, grocery, construction, tourism, office and property management, real estate, retail, residents, and educational institutions
Industry and business associations: professional associations
Community, environmental and non-profit groups: non-governmental organizations (NGOs), youth and students, and Urban Indigenous Peoples
Metro Vancouver residents: community members from all 23 member jurisdictions

*Indigenous and Urban Indigenous People are invited to participate in all public engagement activities. A separate First Nations engagement strategy focuses on government-to-government engagement with First Nations.

Collaborative Engagement Program

The Collaborative Engagement Program helps to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the public engagement process by collaborating with and hearing from people who otherwise may not be aware of or have access to opportunities to help inform the plan update.

Metro Vancouver provides funding and support for not-for-profit organizations to engage with their networks to provide ideas and feedback. Organizations that support underrepresented or equity-denied communities, youth, seniors, urban Indigenous people, and environmental groups are integral to this work. Find out more about the Collaborative Engagement Program.

Solid Waste Management Plan Public/Technical Advisory Committee

Metro Vancouver has formed a Public/Technical Advisory Committee made up of individuals with relevant personal qualities and experience, from a range of backgrounds, who will provide advice and input on the development of an updated solid waste management plan.

Learn about the Public/Technical Advisory Committee

Technical research and studies supporting the plan update
Metro Vancouver is undertaking technical studies to support the update. This evidence-based information will be used to inspire idea generation and guide the analysis of options to accelerate waste reduction and recycling while reducing greenhouse gases and promoting a circular economy region.

The studies will provide information on:
- Current challenges and opportunities
- Global best practices
- The latest research and new technologies,
- The financial, social, and environmental impacts of options and initiatives
Information from the technical studies will be shared as background information during engagement to help First Nations, local residents, businesses, and communities of interest propose ideas, compare options, and support actions that will be incorporated into the plan.

Metro Vancouver Recycling and Solid Waste Management Annual and Biennial Reports

The annual recycling and solid waste management reports and the biennial integrated solid waste management plan progress reports both provide baseline information and data about how garbage and recycling is managed in Metro Vancouver. These reports contain updates about annual behavioral change campaigns, research, policies, events, and recycling and waste quantities. They also contain a snapshot of how the region is performing against goals and aspirations set out in the solid waste management plan. View the 2022 report below.

Metro Vancouver Recycling and Solid Waste Management 2022 Report

Solid Waste Management Plan Independent Consultation and Engagement Panel

Project reports

Resources

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