Claudia Marsales, Senior Manager Waste & Environmental Management addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation entitled, New Provincial Blue Box Regulations and Preferred Program Transition Date, that provided an overview of the draft regulations and details on the preferred transition date for the City.
The Committee discussed the following in relation to the presentation:
- The timeline of December 3, 2020 to provide comments to the Province and the City's preferred transition date;
- Clarification on the service and financial impacts of transition and potential savings to the City and tax payers;
- The financial implications on the collection contract when the service is transitioned to Producers;
- Inquiry into the recovery/diversion rates;
- Consideration for marketing and recycling of recyclable materials from the updated blue box acceptance list and increased recycled content;
- The criteria used to determine municipal transition dates and what provisions there are to allow for municipalities to transition early;
- Consideration to increase the WDO funding level to 100% in the event the City's preferred transition date be delayed;
- The inclusion of all business into the recycling program within and outside the Business Improvement Areas;
- The possibility of Miller Waste being contracted by the Producers to undertake the City's recycling services and the provisions for the City to avoid financial penalties under the current contract;
- Concerns with potential contract penalties and transition options;
- Concerns with pick up frequency compared to current weekly service level;
- Concerns with service level at recycling depots;
- Consideration to include in the comment letter to the Province:
- the City's preference for which company should be contracted to undertake the new recycling program in Markham
- blue bags as an accepted receptacle
- standardization of product packaging from producers
- maintain current level of service (weekly and depot collection) and the types of accepted recyclable materials; and,
- Ensure materials such as black plastic, coffee cups and lids are recycled and not incinerated.
Staff acknowledged the Committee's concerns and advised that the letter to the Province with the preferred transition date of January 1, 2023 will include the items discussed. Additional information was provided on the financial benefits and costs of the new program and that current service levels would be maintained until at least 2026 when producers may initiate efficiency opportunities. Staff indicated that producers have to meet specific diversion targets and it is to their benefit to recycle as much material as possible. Once final details of the program are announced, the City can evaluate the best service delivery options to meet the needs of residents and businesses.
The Committee suggested that there be an additional examination of the draft regulations and comments to the Ministry through the Waste Diversion Committee, prior to the next General Committee meeting on November 30, 2020.