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 diversion 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.

  Circular Economy and 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Study

  The study will:

  • Define circular economy and highlight the opportunities for our region
  • Estimate the economic value, job creation and greenhouse gas reduction potential of reducing, reusing or recycling materials that are currently disposed as garbage
  • Highlight 75 local and global recycling and waste reduction initiatives with the greatest potential to reduce waste and address climate change, equity, community cohesion, regional prosperity, ecological health, and air quality

  Solid Waste System Assessment Study

  The study will:

  • Assess the current regional solid waste system
  • Profile existing programs, map regional private recycling services
  • Conduct a best practices review of design and operations for recycling and waste centres
  • Model different facility scenarios based on drive-time, distance and greenhouse gas emissions to forecast future system demands and improvements

  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 (April – November, 2023)

  In 2023, we are engaging on the vision and guiding principles for the plan, inviting dialogue around the fundamental values that will guide plan development.

  Specifically, guiding principles are described as values, and vision as the destination or desired future. We are seeking feedback on what is important in terms of the way we purchase, use, reuse, repurpose, recycle and throw things away in Metro Vancouver, and what could be better in the future.

  Metro Vancouver hosted a series of initial meetings and workshops with local First Nations, member jurisdiction staff, and advisory committees to seek feedback on the vision and guiding principles. The initial feedback was reported to the Zero Waste Committee on July 13:

  Solid Waste Management Plan: Vision and Guiding Principles Engagement Initial Feedback

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