Compostable organics, followed by paper, plastic and non-compostable organics such as treated wood, were the most prevalent materials found in Metro Vancouver’s 2018 waste composition monitoring study.
The study analyzed the composition of the waste stream across 161 material categories, including paper, plastic, and compostable organics, and included waste from the single-family, multi-family, commercial/institutional, and the drop-off sectors. It also analyzed streetscape bins and, for the first time, collected data on single-use items, establishing baseline data on the prevalence of these items in the region.
The last full-scale waste composition study was in 2016.
The 2018 results show the amount of compostable organics in the waste stream have remained stable since 2016, but disposal of non-compostable organics, such as treated wood, has increased – likely due to the challenges of processing construction and demolition waste at private facilities in the region. At the same time, there have been slight decreases in the total tonnage of paper and plastic disposed of since 2016.
Metro Vancouver will continue to monitor what’s in the waste stream and review options to increase diversion of common materials. This work helps Metro Vancouver track progress against the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, which has a target to increase the regional diversion rate to 80% by 2020, and target specific materials for diversion programs. For more information: https://vimeo.com/310235320
The study analyzed the composition of the waste stream across 161 material categories, including paper, plastic, and compostable organics, and included waste from the single-family, multi-family, commercial/institutional, and the drop-off sectors. It also analyzed streetscape bins and, for the first time, collected data on single-use items, establishing baseline data on the prevalence of these items in the region.
The last full-scale waste composition study was in 2016.
The 2018 results show the amount of compostable organics in the waste stream have remained stable since 2016, but disposal of non-compostable organics, such as treated wood, has increased – likely due to the challenges of processing construction and demolition waste at private facilities in the region. At the same time, there have been slight decreases in the total tonnage of paper and plastic disposed of since 2016.
Metro Vancouver will continue to monitor what’s in the waste stream and review options to increase diversion of common materials. This work helps Metro Vancouver track progress against the Integrated Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan, which has a target to increase the regional diversion rate to 80% by 2020, and target specific materials for diversion programs. For more information: https://vimeo.com/310235320