In the PMCR's Regional Waste Plan Framework Document, a goal was set to incorporate innovative strategies and leading best practice into the Securing Our Future: An Action Plan for Manitoba’s Capital Region toward a diversion rate of 60% or greater over the coming years. The gathering and organizing of information on solid waste composition, character, flow patterns, market characteristics, recycling and modes of disposal, can better inform strategies to recover more material from the waste stream and support businesses engaged in the recovery, processing, marketing, and use of materials in the Capital Region. The MCR Solid Waste Management Rationalization Feasibility Study will therefore conduct a thorough examination and evaluation to ensure the most effective and beneficial practices to achieve these goals are being initiated across the MCR. The MCR Solid Waste Management Rationalization Feasibility Study will consist of three phases:
Phase one: involves an analysis of existing and additional data collection to identify all aspects of waste management from collection of solid waste, current diversion rates and strategies, construction, demolition and renovation waste as well as organics and recycling. It also involves gathering data on programming, servicing and practices across the region related to governance, operations and management. Current markets for recyclables should also be examined.
Phase two: is designed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of options for managing solid waste that can increase diversion rates from the current levels. This phase will examine projected population increases, density, and transportation requirements and capacity to achieve the targets. This part of the feasibility study will evaluate a wide range of waste management components within the MCR. Social, environmental, and economic impacts such as improvements to existing waste management and recycling facilities, organic waste diversion, enhanced recovery of greenhouse gases, a reduction in transportation costs, and market integration of recyclables, (including construction and demolition waste) will be examined. This phase will also examine trends in solid waste management to ensure recommendations and action plans keep up to changing practice related to WMF management and practice as well as manufacturing trends emerging globally.
Phase three: will focus on the potential implementation of innovative strategies to meet the targets. It will develop clear objectives and a detailed action plan to achieve a 60% diversion rate or greater. Final study recommendations will be based on analysis of outcomes, survey results, anticipated public and personal cost savings, and estimated reductions in risk and greenhouse gas emissions. There are many data gaps for solid waste operations in Manitoba’s Capital Region. Basic data such as the weight of materials brought to waste disposal grounds is lacking due to very few sites possessing weigh scales (only three waste disposal grounds visited in this review were found to possess scales). Although databases exist for residential waste streams, it appears no databases exist for the following streams:
- Institutional, commercial, and industrial (ICI);
- Construction, renovation and demolition (CR & D);
- Private waste management facilities.
The MCR Solid Waste Management Rationalization Feasibility Study is intended to provide strategic planning for the MCR and consider regional solid waste management, recovery, recycling technology, environmental science, environmental engineering and business development. It should also include a rationalization of the existing solid waste management systems and provide a business case analysis of potential approaches to meet key goals.
