New study underscores the importance of recycling and composting in achieving Zero Waste in Greater Vancouver
News Release
Belkorp
June 25, 2009
New study underscores the importance of recycling and composting in achieving Zero Waste in Greater Vancouver
Selecting appropriate disposal option critical to bridging gap to Zero Waste
VANCOUVER, June 25 /CNW/ - A recently completed study by Dr. Jeffrey Morris of Sound Resource Management Group, Inc., a noted international economist and life cycle analysis expert, found that recycling and composting in Greater Vancouver far outweigh disposal in terms of mitigating the environmental impacts associated with products and materials in the waste stream.
The study examined two different scenarios: a base case (status quo as of 2008) and a Zero Waste scenario, the latter of which assumes that waste diversion was increased from the current 53% level to beyond 80% over a 20 year planning horizon.
Achieving the Zero Waste objective Dr. Morris identified in his study will result in a reduction of over 4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Dr. Morris's conclusions point to the need for a Zero Waste strategy that prioritizes the diversion of all organic waste to composting systems, maximizes the effectiveness of existing recycling programs and initiatives, and accelerates the development of new diversion efforts such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives.
Given these conclusions, Dr. Morris stressed that disposal options, such as landfilling and incineration, should be seen only as an interim solution necessary to bridge the gap between the present situation and a zero waste objective.
"Disposal options must be assessed in terms of their flexibility and whether they will facilitate or hinder the achievement of zero waste," said Dr. Morris. "Under these conditions, we found that disposing of municipal solid waste in landfills better meets this objective compared to incineration in three key environmental impact areas - climate change, human health and ecosystem toxicity."
The study was commissioned by Belkorp Environmental Services to assess the environmental impacts associated with the existing solid waste management system in Greater Vancouver. Copies of the Morris Study will be available online at www.belkorp.com.
"Dr. Morris is a global leader in life cycle analysis and his work sheds new light on the environmental impacts of disposal options at a time when our region is making critical decisions about its solid waste future," said Ted Rattray, President, Belkorp Environmental Services. "We will be sharing his work with Metro Vancouver, the BC Ministry of Environment and other interested stakeholders, such as the Recycling Council of BC, to add to the body of knowledge on this issue and to help ensure we are collectively making informed decisions about our solid waste future."
Belkorp Environmental Services is currently involved in recycling and waste disposal services in Greater Vancouver and actively supports the adoption of a zero waste philosophy by Metro Vancouver. Belkorp designed and built the first cardboard recycling plant of its kind in BC. It also built the first newsprint de-inking and recycling facility in the province, owned and operated a used oil recycling plant in North Vancouver, and was part owner of an organics composting facility that was eventually bought by the Village of Whistler and relocated in Whistler.
The company's subsidiary, Wastech Services Ltd., handles municipal solid waste under contract to Metro Vancouver, operating four waste transfer stations and the Cache Creek Landfill. Wastech also operates a cardboard baling facility, a wood waste recycling facility and recycling depots at each of its transfer stations.
In this study, Dr. Morris applies a comprehensive life cycle analysis approach to the assessment of two scenarios for managing municipal and demolition/construction solid waste streams generated in Greater Vancouver.
Life cycle analysis as applied to solid waste management systems is a technique for assessing cradle to grave environmental impacts associated with production, use, and discard of products and materials in our society.
A fact sheet outlining the key findings from this report is available at www.belkorp.com.
Dr. Morris was the keynote speaker at the Recycling Council of British Columbia (RCBC)'s 2009 Conference.
For further information:
Dr. Jeffrey Morris,
Sound Resource Management Group, Inc.,
(360) 867-1033,
jeff.morris@zerowaste.com;
Saphina Benimadhu,
Longview Communications Inc.,
(604) 694-6036,
sbenimadhu@longviewcomms.ca