Stantec sets the bar low on diversion

By Kate Harries WaterWatch
Stantec has little faith in the ability of Simcoe County residents to effect change.
The County’s consultant predicts that, with a “significant” change in behaviour, the most Simcoe County residents can hope to divert is 70 per cent of their waste within 10 years (the present rate is 54 per cent).
A “profound” change in behaviour could lead to a 76 per cent diversion rate by 2029.
 “So much for Zero Waste,” commented Gord McKay, the committee’s vice-chair, disputing the assumptions Stantec has made and noting that changes in process can fundamentally alter outcomes.
“Yes, it is going to take change, but if we don’t pursue the path to change, we will never get there,” McKay said. Stantec’s conclusions are based on computer modelling, using diversion rate improvements in other areas that have resulted from specific policy changes like using clear garbage bags or adding pet waste and diapers to the green bin.
McKay, who is the chair of Zero Waste Simcoe, said he asked Ken Donnelly, who led a study commissioned by ZWS on the job potential of a green economy, the best way of increasing the diversion rate.
The answer: Two simple measures – banning recyclable materials from landfill sites, and making recycling mandatory – could lead to a 70 per cent rate within three or four years.
With additional measures, the County can probably attain 75 per cent within three to five years, McKay said.
 “If our society can only get 76 per cent by 2029, we should all be ashamed of ourselves,” he added, asking Ralph: “Are we going to see any more analysis of what is possible?”
“The 76 per cent number represents to the best of our knowledge right now what the maximum number would be,” Ralph replied.
“How do I explain the Town of Markham, Ontario, a very large community that’s currently sitting at 71 per cent, in the year 2008?” McKay asked. “This is 20 years in the future.”
Ralph replied that Simcoe County manages a system that’s more complex than Markham’s.
The consultant’s recommendations will be put to the committee at its next meeting, March 29. The committee can chose whether to adopt or change them, and after more public consultation, a strategy will be finalized and forwarded to County Council for a decision.
On Tuesday, when Nickolas Rowe pointed out that many members of the public are questioning the haste with which the strategy is being devised, committee chair Gord Wauchope explained that County Council doesn’t want to leave the matter to the council that’s elected in October. However, he said, if the job can’t be completed by June, so be it. “I don’t want to rush it.”
Rowe also questioned Environmental Services Director Rob McCullough on the difference between his estimate under oath in court last summer of the landfill capacity remaining in the county (10 to 20 years) and the 5-6 years presently estimated by Stantec.
McCullough said subsequent information from Genivar, the consultant that monitors the county’s landfills, indicated there was substantially less capacity than previously estimated but – (SDS41 note: good news!) – the latest 2009 figures “actually make the future look a little brighter.”  (SDS41 note: no exact numbers yet.) 
Based on the 76 per cent figure, Stantec calculates that Simcoe County will have to find disposal for up to 963,000 tonnes of waste by 2029.
Ralph said Stantec will be recommending continued operation of the County’s three landfill sites (Site 10 – Nottawasaga, Site 11 – Oro and Site 13 – Tosorontio) and getting MOE approval of Design and Operations reports for Site 9 – Medonte and Site 12 – Sunnidale, for use if needed.
Under questioning by McKay, she said that no new landfills are being recommended.
She said the amount of waste generated under the 76 per cent diversion scenario would be too small to justify the County developing its own garbage processing facility, although it could enter into partnerships with other municipalities (for a facility either in or out of the county).
Mystery man: Public member Mark Guthrie, a Clearview Township resident who works for municipal consultants Ainley and Associates in Collingwood, has yet to make his mark on the process. He keeps his mouth shut.
That’s in sharp contradistinction to some members of the public gallery who felt compelled to offer guidance during the committee’s proceedings Tuesday.
Such contributions may be channelled to the end of the meeting if County Council approves a motion passed by the committee to allow a 15-minute question period for the public at each waste strategy meeting.
Memo from administration: This would be a radical departure from current County practice.