The Province will review Metro Vancouver’s solid waste management plan to determine the most-effective way to achieve waste diversion in the region.

Marvin Hunt, MLA for Surrey-Panorama, will conduct a three-month review focusing on the multi-family and industrial-commercial-institutional (ICI) waste streams and will report back with findings and provide advice to Environment Minister Mary Polak.

Hunt has extensive experience in waste management as the former chair of Metro Vancouver’s Waste Committee and former deputy chair of Metro Vancouver’s Zero Waste Committee, in addition to having been a Surrey councillor for 23 years.

This review is in response to Metro Vancouver’s proposed Bylaw 280 on waste flow control and will take into account the role local government and the private sector play in maximizing diversion from landfills.

Polak, as the statutory decision-maker, has decided not to approve Bylaw 280. In her decision letter to the Metro Vancouver Board, Polak cites a number of significant public-interest concerns that factored into the decision.

These concerns include:

• the potential for Bylaw 280 to create a monopoly on waste management;
• the potential for increased illegal dumping;
• the possible negative effects on the new packaging and printed paper recycling program; and
• the destabilizing effect it may have on private-sector collection and hauling.

Quote:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment -

“I commend Metro Vancouver for their continued efforts toward protecting the environment and achieving the waste-diversion goals set out in their solid waste management plan. This review will help focus on the most-effective ways to achieve waste diversion going forward.”

Learn More:

BC Newsroom - Ministry of Environment:
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/environment-1

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Environment Communications
250 953-3834