Victoria, BC— The Capital Regional District (CRD) is developing a new solid waste management plan to reduce and manage solid waste in the capital region. The plan will guide how the region manages solid waste in the coming years, including recyclables, compostable material and garbage from homes, businesses, and institutions, as well as construction and demolition sites.
“There have been significant changes to the way in which we think about and manage waste since the last management plan was developed. There are more opportunities to divert materials and recycle them into new products. Our residents are actively participating in activities to reduce and reuse items to keep them from ending up in the landfill,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair. “It’s time that we rethink how we manage solid waste to ensure we are doing it in the best way possible and continue to expand our efforts to prevent waste in the first place.”
The plan will look at ways to extend the life of the Hartland Landfill, through future landfill design options, significantly reducing waste and reusing and/or recycling materials as much as possible. The goal is to reduce waste from 380 kg per capita (2018 levels) to 250 kg per capita by 2030.
Public engagement is a key part of developing the CRD’s solid waste management plan and, as a result, the CRD welcomes feedback from residents on 15 proposed strategies ahead of developing a draft plan. There are two ways for capital region residents to learn more and provide feedback by Sunday, December 1:
Following the initial public engagement, a draft of the plan will be developed and made public in spring 2020, when there will be a second public engagement opportunity to provide feedback on the draft. This second phase of public engagement is expected to take place in the late spring of 2020.
All regional districts must have a solid waste management plan approved by the Province of British Columbia. The region’s original plan was approved in 1989 and revised in 1991. The second revision (the current plan) was approved in 1995, with amendments made as needed.
Residents can find more information, including dates and details about open houses, and sign up to receive updates via email at www.crd.bc.ca/rethinkwaste.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicki Fellinger, Communications Supervisor
CRD Environmental Services
Tel: 250.360.3287
Cell: 250.818.1489