Solid Waste Management Plan Update

• Technical research and studies supporting the plan update

  Metro Vancouver is undertaking technical studies to support the solid waste management plan 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:

  • The performance of solid waste facilities in the Metro Vancouver region
  • Current challenges and opportunities
  • Global best practices
  • The latest research and new technologies, the financial, social and environmental impacts of options and initiatives

  The technical studies will be shared as background information during Indigenous and public engagement to help Indigenous peoples, 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 Report

  This annual report provides 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. It also contains a snapshot of how the region is performing against goals and aspirations set out in the solid waste management plan. View the 2021 report below.

  Metro Vancouver Recycling and Solid Waste Management 2021 Report

Public engagement phases​​

• 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. We received feedback from Indigenous 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
  • 4 workshops and presentations
  • 8 groups presented to the Consultation and Engagement Panel
  • Written submissions from 6 organizations
  • Updates to 3 municipal committees
  • 4 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)

  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, inviting dialogue around the fundamental values that will guide plan development.

  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 ran from September 18, 2023, to November 10, 2023. Opportunities for engagement included:

  • An online questionnaire
  • Opportunities to speak with the solid waste services team at community events across the region including:
    • Shipyards Festival in North Vancouver
    • River Fest in New Westminster
    • Car Free Day in Vancouver
    • Farmers Market in Pitt Meadows
    • Diwali in Surrey
  • Online and in-person workshops
  • Watch the virtual workshop recording
  • View the workshop presentation
  • Opportunity to present to the Solid Waste Management Plan Independent Consultation and Engagement Panel
  • Watch the panel session recording
  • View panel session presentations
  • Interviews with interested parties and community champions

  Metro Vancouver also worked with 14 not-for-profit organizations, who organized engagement activities to listen and learn from their audiences and networks.

  Metro Vancouver incorporated the feedback from this engagement phase to develop the vision and guiding principles for the updated solid waste management plan.

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

  Guiding Principles:

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

  These guiding principles will help to shape the next phase of engagement: idea generation.

  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

  Find more detailed information in the feedback log:

  Phase 1 Feedback Log

• Idea generation engagement (June – November, 2024)

  The idea generation phase of the solid waste management plan update will focus on learning about potential actions and strategies that can be included in the plan. Questions for discussion have been developed based on a review of the existing plan, feedback from the vision and guiding principles phase, and current solid waste management data. The feedback received in this phase of engagement will result in a set of potential actions and strategies to be evaluated in the following phase: options analysis.

  Sign up to be notified about opportunities to participate in the idea generation phase of engagement.

  Sign up

Consultation and Engagement Panel​

• Members and terms of reference

  The Solid Waste Management Plan Independent Consultation and Engagement Panel, established by the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Board, was formed to act as an independent, third party advising staff and the Board on consultation and engagement. A comprehensive engagement program involving a broad range of stakeholders and perspectives will be ​a critical element in the development of an updated solid waste management plan. Recognizing this, Metro Vancouver has taken the unique approach of convening a panel of engagement experts to guide the development and implementation of a robust and inclusive engagement process. The Panel will report out to the Board on engagement during all phases of the solid waste management plan development.

  • Andrea Reimer, Chair
  • Cheryl Brooks, Panelist
  • Peter Fassbender, Panelist
  • Veronika Bylicki, Panelist
  • Metro Vancouver Director Sarah Kirby-Yung, Zero Waste Committee Liaison

  See full bios

  See terms of reference