WASTE MANAGEMENT Master Plan Update April 2011

Transcription

1 WASTE MANAGEMENT Master Plan Update April 2011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... i 1.0 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND Master Plan and Related Documents Waste Management Master Plan Recycling Implementation Plan Waste Reduction Master Plan Waste Reduction Sequencing Plan Provincial Waste Management Status Blue Box Enhancement and Best Practices Assessment Program Geographic Area and Demographics Waste and Recyclables Quantities and Composition Waste Management Facilities Waste Reduction Programs WATERLOO WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE Introduction Site Location and Approval Status Site Facilities, Development and Planning Landfill Design and Operations Materials Recycling Centre Small Vehicle Transfer Station and Waste Diversion Area Composting Operations ISO Hydrogeology Stormwater Management Leachate Collection System Landfill Gas Control and Utilization Future Plans CAMBRIDGE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY Introduction Site Location and Approval Status Site Facilities, Development and Planning Site Design and Operations Planning Centralized Composting and Green Bin Transfer Area Development Hydrogeology Stormwater Management Leachate Control System Landfill Gas Control and Utilization Future Plans

3 5.0 RURAL SMALL VEHICLE TRANSFER STATIONS Introduction Woolwich (Elmira) Transfer Station North Dumfries (Ayr) Transfer Station Wilmot (New Dundee) Transfer Station Wellesley (Crosshill) Transfer Station CLOSED LANDFILL SITES Introduction Rural Landfill Site Closures Kitchener Landfill Current and Proposed Uses COLLECTION FUNCTION Introduction Service levels Business Collection Services Multi-Residential Service Customer Service WASTE DIVERSON PROGAMS Introduction Waste Diversion Programs Residential Blue Box Recycling Programs Organics Programs Alternative Residential Waste Diversion Programs Promotion and Education Waste Reduction Programs Workplace Private and Public Sector Partnerships Waste Diversion Demonstration Projects Example Setting Waste Assessment and Waste Reduction Planning Assistance Promotion and Education Programs Material Diversion Programs and Landfill Bans Future Initiatives Five-year Forecast RESIDUAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING Waste Management Hierarchy Overview of Potential Alternative Waste Technologies Evaluation Criteria for Alternative Waste Technologies Future Plans FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Introduction Capital and Operating Budget Waste Management Funding Sources Property Tax Funding and Debentures

4 Landfill Tipping Fees Sale of Recyclables Landfill Gas Sales Blue Box Funding Financial Planning

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6 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1: Projected Population Figure 2.2: Projected Households Figure 2.3: Total Landfill Tonnage Figure 3.1: Waterloo WMC Site Layout Figure 3.2: South employee facility and shop Figure 3.3: Waterloo Main Scale Figure 3.4: SE-1 and SE-3 erosion control blanket Figure 3.5: Spray on Cover System Figure 3.6: Tarp Cover System Figure 3.7: After-Use Plan for Waterloo Figure 3.8: Planting on the East slope of the OLA Figure 3.9: Aerial photo of MRC Figure 3.10: Waterloo WMC Small Vehicle Transfer Station Site Layout Figure 3.11: HHW facility Figure 3.12: New used oil depot Figure 3.13: Habitat for Humanity ReStore Figure 3.14: Bike Re-use Program Figure 3.15: Waterloo compost pad space Figure 3.16: Construction of SE Figure 3.17: One inch temporary gas wells Figure 3.18: Conceptual Diagram of Gas Control System Figure 3.19: Portable LFG flare on manhole in the south Figure 4.1: Aerial photograph of CWMF Figure 4.2: Cambridge WMF Site Layout Figure 4.3: Cambridge WMF Main Scales Figure 4.4: Cambridge WMF Inert Area Figure 4.5: SVTS Bin Wall Figure 4.6: Cambridge Bulk Waste Transfer Station (Looking South) Figure 4.7: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Tip Floor Figure 4.8: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Residential Vehicle Access Figure 4.9: Bulk Waste Transfer Station (municipal truck tip floor and tunnel entrance) Figure 4.10: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Recycling Area Figure 4.11: Cambridge WMF Green Bin Transfer Area Figure 4.12: Extraction Well System (CL-PW2) Figure 4.13: Cambridge WMF Gas Collection Facility and Flare Figure 4.14: Cambridge WMF Gas Collection Facility and Gerdau Figure 5.1: Woolwich Transfer Station, 155 Howard Avenue, Elmira Figure 5.2: North Dumfries Transfer Station, 1766 Reidsville Road, Ayr Figure 5.3: Wilmot Transfer Station, 1788 Huron Road, Wilmot Township Figure 5.4: Wellesley Transfer Station, 2730 Manser Road, Wellesley Township Figure 6.1: McLennan Park Entrance Figure 6.2: Play Structure Construction at McLennan Park Figure 8.1: Annual Recycling Tonnage ( ) Figure 8.2: Marketed Recyclable Materials Tonnage

7 Figure 8.3: Marketed Recyclable Material Revenues Figure 8.4: Waterloo WMC Green Bin Transfer Area Figure 8.5: Yard Waste Windrow Figure 8.6: Organic Leaf Windrow Figure 8.7: Cambridge WTF Paint and Motor Oil Drop-off Figure 9.1: Waste Management Systems - Order of Priorities Figure 10.1: Funding Sources (2010 Budget) Figure 10.2: Recyclable Materials History of Tonnages and Revenues ( )

8 APPENDIX: Drawings and Supplementary Material A.1: Regional Map: Location of Regional Landfills and Small Vehicle Transfer Stations A.2: User Fee Schedule A.3: Waterloo Waste Management Centre Proposed Final Contours A.4: ISO Environmental Policy A.5: Waterloo Waste Management Centre Monitoring Well Network A.6: Waterloo Waste Management Centre Leachate Collection System A.7: Waterloo Waste Management Centre Gas Control System A.8: Waterloo Landfill Gas Information Sheet A.9: Cambridge Waste Management Facility Approximate Area of Historic Development A.10: Cambridge Waste Management Facility Final Contours A.11: Cambridge Waste Management Facility Monitoring Well Network A.12: Cambridge Waste Management Facility Leachate Management System A.13: Cambridge Waste Management Facility Gas Control System A.14: Kitchener Landfill Site Final Contours A.15: Sample Promotional and Educational Material: Environews September 2010 edition It s in the Book Fridge Magnet Door Hanger Friendly Reminder about Winter Curbside Garbage & Recycling Collection Activity & Colouring Book Grades JK 3 Be a Friend to your Planet Earth Junk Mail Sticker Household Hazardous Waste Days Composting The Natural Choice Brochure Composting Fact Sheets 1, 2 and 3 Sticker for Carts for Everyone s Safety: No Syringes, Hazardous Waste, glass, dishes, etc. Driver Stickers: Preparation of Garbage/yard waste and green bin Driver Stickers: Preparation of Blue Box Yard Waste Collection 2011 Recycle it Right The Blue Box Recycling Program It is Easy Being Green The Green Bin and Organics Program It is Easy Being Green A Mini Green Bin Program Update (August 2010) Lining Your Containers Green Bin Program Keeping Pest out of Your Green Bin Organics Example of Collection Schedules for Townships Blended Bicycles Reuse Program Brochure

9 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT Region CNR C of A D&O EA EMS EPA ESPA CFC GRT HDPE HEPC HHW IC&I ISO LCBO LFG MOE MRC MTO NEA OCC OLA PERT PET RIP SEA SCADA SWM STVS TMW VOC WDO WMC WMF WMMP WREACH WRESTRC WRMP Regional Municipality of Waterloo Canadian National Railway Certificate of Approval Design and Operation Environmental Assessment Environmental Management System Environmental Protection Act Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area Chlorinated Fluorocarbons Grand River Transit High Density Polyethylene Hydro Electric Power Corridor Household Hazardous Waste Industrial, Commercial and Institutional International Organization for Standardization Liquor Control Board of Ontario Landfill Gas Ministry of the Environment Materials Recycling Centre Ministry of Transportation Ontario North Expansion Area Old Corrugated Cardboard Original Landfill Area Pilot Emission Reduction Trading Polyethylene Terephthalate Recycling Implementation Plan South Expansion Area Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Storm Water Management Small Vehicle Transfer Station Tires/Metal/Wood Volatile Organic Compound Waste Diversion Organization Waste Management Centre Waste Management Facility Waste Management Master Plan Waterloo Region Actions for Community Health Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training & Research Complex Waste Reduction Master Plan

10 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (the Region) completed a comprehensive Waste Management Master Plan in December The 1986 Master Plan included the selection of a preferred site for long-term landfill capacity as well as recommendations for various waste reduction and recycling strategies. Given that the expansion of the Waterloo Landfill was the only component of the Master Plan which required Environmental Assessment (EA) Act approval, a separate EA document for the landfill expansion was prepared and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval in October Other components of the 1986 Master Plan which did not require provincial approval, or required only project specific Environmental Protection Act approval, have been implemented since In 1991, the Minister of the Environment accepted and approved the Region's EA for the 14,000,000 cubic metre expansion of the Waterloo Landfill without the need for a public hearing. The 1991 EA approval is subject to fourteen conditions including one condition, which requires that the Master Plan be updated every five years. Since 1991 three updates have been completed; the first in April 1996, the second in April 2001, and the third in April This report is the fourth update to satisfy the requirements of Condition 12 of the 1991 EA approval. The Region has now successfully implemented the key elements of the 1986 Master Plan and has adopted an integrated approach to waste management. The Region s waste management facilities are operating efficiently and have comprehensive environmental control systems in place. The Blue Box recycling program is firmly entrenched in the Region and the cost effectiveness of the program has improved dramatically since inception. The Region began a Food Waste Organics pilot project in 2006 and has subsequently fully implemented a Region wide curbside green bin program as of fall Yard waste composting, industrial/commercial and institutional waste reduction, and the collection of household hazardous and electronic wastes complete the Region's overall integrated waste management strategy. The only recommendations in the 1986 Master Plan that have not been implemented are waste shredding and incineration, due to cost concerns. However, over the next five years, the Region intends to evaluate the current waste management strategy and newer waste management technologies through the completion of a Waste Master Plan study. April 2011 i

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12 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 1.0 INTRODUCTION In 1986, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Region) completed a master planning study to provide a long-term strategy for the management of solid waste. The 1986 Waste Management Master Plan included the selection of a preferred site to ensure long-term landfill capacity as well as recommendations for various waste reduction and recycling strategies. The preferred landfilling option was expansion of the existing Waterloo Landfill onto lands both north and south of the site, to accommodate long-term waste disposal requirements for the entire Region. The expansion of the Waterloo Landfill was the only component of the 1986 Master Plan that required Environmental Assessment (EA) Act approval. Therefore, a separate document was prepared and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval in October Other components of the 1986 Master Plan which did not require provincial approval, or required only project specific Environmental Protection Act (EPA) approval, were implemented in a staged manner beginning in Approval to proceed with the expansion of the Waterloo Landfill, under the EA Act, was granted in September This approval was subject to fourteen terms and conditions, one of which was to undertake a review of the Waste Management Master Plan or equivalent at intervals of not more than five years and prepare a report of each review. These updates were completed in April 1996, April 2001, and April This report is the fourth update to satisfy the requirements of Condition 12 of the EA Approval and is hereby submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for information. Since the completion of the 1986 Waste Management Master Plan, the Region initiated and completed two additional planning studies to ensure that the waste reduction and recycling goals set in the 1986 Master Plan were met. These are the 1987 Recycling Implementation Plan (RIP) and the 1994 Waste Reduction Master Plan (WRMP). The Region has now successfully implemented the key elements of the 1986 Master Plan, the RIP, and the 1994 WRMP. As a result, the Region has adopted an integrated approach to waste management that balances the community s need for waste reduction services and waste disposal facilities. In addition, the April

13 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Region initiated a three year waste reduction sequencing plan, for 2005 to 2007, which comprised a number of new waste diversion initiatives to address proposed provincial policy. Since 2007, the Region has focused on implementing Blue Box best practices to continue to improve waste diversion programs in the Region. The Region currently operates two main waste management facilities: one in the City of Waterloo and one in the City of Cambridge. Major components include one sanitary landfill for the disposal of Regional wastes, located in the City of Waterloo, and a bulk waste transfer facility in the City of Cambridge. These facilities service all seven Area Municipalities included in the Region: the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. Regional residents and businesses may also dispose of their waste at the six small vehicle transfer stations located throughout the Region; one located at the Waterloo Landfill Site, one at the Cambridge Transfer Station and one in each of the rural townships. In addition, the Region is responsible for on-going environmental monitoring and maintenance at five closed landfills: Cambridge, Kitchener, Woolwich, Ayr and Cheese Factory Road. Staff continuously evaluate the 1986 Master Plan to ensure it is the most cost-effective and logical approach to the Region s integrated waste management system. Curbside Blue Box recycling and multi-residential recycling programs are now firmly entrenched in the Region and the cost-effectiveness of these programs has improved dramatically since inception. A centralized leaf and yard waste composting program has been operational at both the Waterloo and Cambridge landfills since 1988 and the Region has supported backyard composting since The Region has operated a Household Hazardous Waste collection program since 1984 and a CFC extraction program for white goods since The Region began a Food Waste Organics pilot project in 2006 and has subsequently fully implemented a Region wide curbside green bin program as of fall As waste diversion programs become more firmly entrenched with residents, the Region has successfully implemented several landfill bans including grass clippings, wooden pallets, and electronic waste. April

14 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update These programs, in addition to the on-going operation of the disposal facilities, provide the foundation for the Region s overall integrated waste management strategy. Over the next five years, the Region intends to build on our current master planning process by undertaking a comprehensive review of residual waste management practices through the completion of a new waste master plan study. April

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16 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 Master Plan and Related Documents was formed on January 1, At that time, the operation of solid waste disposal facilities became the responsibility of the Region. However, responsibility for the curbside collection of refuse remained with the seven newly formed Area Municipalities. Subsequently in 2000, waste collection services were consolidated at the Regional level. Beginning in the 1980s, the Region embarked on the development of Regional waste management master planning. The following reports were produced: The Waste Management Master Plan - December 1986; The Recycling Implementation Plan - May 1987; The Waste Reduction Master Plan ; and, Three-Year Waste Reduction Sequencing Plans to In addition in 2006, the Region participated in the Blue Box Enhancement and Best Practices Assessment Program with Waste Diversion Ontario. The Region s Blue Box program was reviewed with Best Practices to improve the overall efficiency of the program Waste Management Master Plan In 1983, the Region initiated the development of a Waste Management Master Plan (WMMP) to provide a long-term strategy for the management of solid waste generated within its boundary. The Master Plan was developed to meet three general objectives as follows: Ensure long-term landfill capacity; Meet the demand and need for waste reduction and recycling; and Mitigate environmental concerns at the smaller operating landfills. The Master Plan study was scheduled to be completed in three stages. However, early in the study Stage 2 was split into Stage 2A and Stage 2B. This was to ensure that public and April

17 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update government agency concerns were considered and incorporated throughout the development of the Plan. The four planning stages were organized as follows: Stage 1 : Assess existing waste management systems and available disposal alternatives. Identify candidate areas suitable for landfilling. Stage 2A: Identify suitable waste management systems and potential waste disposal alternatives. Develop criteria to evaluate and rank these alternatives. Stage 2B: Evaluate and rank alternatives identified in Stage 2A. Define the preferred or recommended waste management system, including waste disposal sites. Stage 3 Prepare the draft and final Waste Management Master Plan. Effective public consultation was an integral part of the development of the WMMP. Public comment was invited throughout the planning process and was encouraged through open houses, public meetings and meetings with special interest groups. In addition, all major reports were made available to the public. Based on the final recommendations contained within the 1986 WMMP, the Region adopted an integrated approach to waste management which included recommendations to: Establish waste diversion recycling and public education programs designed to reduce the municipal waste stream, as estimated in 1987, by 10 percent; Develop a Waste Management Centre (WMC) adjacent to the existing Waterloo Landfill. The WMC includes: a central Materials Recycling Centre (MRC) for the processing of recyclables, composting facilities, a small vehicle transfer station, upgraded weigh-scales and an administrative office; Expand the Waterloo Landfill to ensure long-term disposal capacity for the Region; Continue operation of the Cambridge Landfill including construction of a small vehicle transfer station; Close three smaller landfills: Woolwich, Ayr and Cheese Factory Road; Construct small vehicle transfer stations in each of the four rural townships; and Expand the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal program Recycling Implementation Plan In May 1987, Resource Integration Systems Ltd. was retained by the Region to develop a Recycling Implementation Plan (RIP), to ensure that the waste reduction and recycling goals set in the WMMP (i.e., reduce waste generated in the Region by 10 percent) were met. The terms of reference for this recycling study consisted of the following: April

18 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Design a curbside recycling program for the City of Waterloo; Review the possibility of extending recycling services to all areas; Study and recommend ways to expand the recycling program to include multi-residential, and commercial and industrial sources; Recommend public education programs necessary to support recycling; Design (conceptually) the Materials Recycling Centre; Develop recommendations regarding composting of wastes; Review the existing municipal programs and their relationship to Regional responsibilities; and Provide cost estimates for the recommended programs and prepare all appropriate applications for funding support. As the recycling study progressed, it became apparent that no single organization (i.e., Area Municipality or the Regional government) was responsible for maximizing waste reduction in the Region. As a result, waste reduction efforts in the area were fragmented, largely uncoordinated and limited both in scope and effectiveness. The RIP concluded that to maximize the benefits of waste reduction, within the shortest possible time, the Region of Waterloo should accept more direct responsibility for waste reduction and recycling initiatives. (Eighteen specific recommendations were made at the conclusion of the planning process). By 1992, most of these recommendations had been realized including establishing Blue Box recycling programs, constructing the Materials Recycling Centre, and implementing central and backyard composting programs Waste Reduction Master Plan In 1989, the Ministry of the Environment introduced goals to divert 25 percent of waste from landfill by 1992; and 50 percent by 2000 (assuming the base year 1987). Implementation of the RIP recommendations enabled the Region to achieve the target of 25 percent waste diversion from landfill by In 1992, the Waste Reduction Master Plan (WRMP) was developed to ensure that the 50 percent waste reduction target was met. The WRMP was intended to guide the development of waste reduction and recycling programs to the year Emphasis was placed on reducing the amount of waste requiring disposal as opposed to recycling the waste materials generated. April

19 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The WRMP was developed in a phased manner consistent with the following guiding principles: Regard materials traditionally considered wastes as resources with intrinsic value to be used again; Shift citizens and businesses away from a throwaway to a conserving society; Minimize environmental impacts on air, water and land; Encourage wise use of energy and natural resources; Focus on the 3Rs: Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling, in that priority order; Balance the use of voluntary and regulatory approaches to programs; and Balance economic and environmental objectives. Initially, existing waste reduction and recycling programs, such as Blue Box collection, and backyard and centralized composting were reviewed to determine waste reduction tonnages and program costs. The WRMP Technical Committee and Regional and Municipal waste reduction staff identified an improved evaluation process. This evaluation of existing and proposed waste reduction programs included the potential quantity of waste diverted; net program cost per diverted tonne; environmental and landfill benefits; technical and market feasibility; and public and business impacts. Effective public consultation was integral to the development of the WRMP. The planning process was a co-operative effort between the Region, Area Municipalities, citizens, organizations and businesses. Public comment was invited throughout the planning process and encouraged through meetings, personal contact, presentations and written correspondence. Public representatives were also formally invited to participate in two series of public consultation meetings. As a result of this process, 28 recommendations were made to reduce the amount of waste generated by the Region s residential and business sectors. To date, the majority of these 28 recommendations have either been realized or fully evaluated by staff to ensure that the implementation of new programs is sustainable and achieve long term reduction goals. April

20 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Waste Reduction Sequencing Plan To further build upon the WRMP, the Region prepared a three year waste reduction sequencing plan (2005 to 2007), which was endorsed by council in This plan allowed the division to continue to move forward with new waste reduction initiatives and to continue promoting historically successful programs while allowing for sufficient flexibility to accommodate new programs mandated by the province. As a result of this sequencing plan the following programs were implemented by the Region: The addition of gable-top and aseptic packaging to the blue box; The expansion of the household hazardous waste program hours at the Waterloo Small Vehicle Transfer Station; The e-waste collection program; and The green bin organics collection program. As of the end of 2010, the Region has successfully implemented the above waste diversion programs and has seen one of the highest waste diversion rates in the Province of Ontario Provincial Waste Management Status In 2004, the Province of Ontario set an aggressive residential diversion target of 60 percent by the year 2008 as well as discussing changes to the Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The 60 percent target was never formalized with an official policy by the Provincial government. The Region has endeavoured to meet the 60 percent target with the improvement of existing diversion programs and the implementation of new waste diversion programs. In addition to the existing blue box recycling program, the Region has recently added the green bin organics program. In 2008, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) released a discussion paper Toward a Zero Waste Future which presents ideas on the potential of Extended Producer Responsibility and updating the Waste Diversion Act. The MOE continues to work towards the implementation of an EPR policy for the Province. April

21 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The Region of Waterloo continues to strive to incrementally improve the diversion rate while balancing costs to maintain efficient waste diversion programs. In 2010, the diversion rate for the Region of Waterloo was 51 percent. This current diversion rate is one of the highest waste diversion rates in Ontario. With the full implementation of the green bin organics program in 2011, the Region may well achieve over 70 percent diversion Blue Box Enhancement and Best Practices Assessment Program In September 2006, the Municipal-Industry Programs Committee (MIPC) of Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) directed a KPMG-led consortium to identify Best Practices in Ontario municipal Blue Box recycling and to determine 2006 Net System Cost under Best Practices. Best Practices were defined as waste system practices that affect Blue Box recycling programs and that result in the attainment of provincial and municipal Blue Box material diversion goals in the most costeffective way possible. Fundamental Best Practices Best Practices as defined above that apply to all Ontario programs are presented below: Development and implementation of an up-to-date plan for recycling, as part of an Integrated Waste Management system, Multi-municipal planning approach to collection and processing of recyclables, Establishing defined performance measures, including diversion targets, monitoring and a continuous improvement program, Optimization of operations in collections and processing, Training of key program staff in core competencies, Following generally accepted principles for effective procurement and contract management, Appropriately planned, designed, and funded Promotion and Education programs, and Established and enforced policies that induce waste diversion. Individualized reports on opportunities for improvement were developed for 23 visited municipalities. These customized reports contain an overview of the current state, the future state under Best Practices, and provide specific action items to be implemented by the municipality to improve the performance of its Blue Box program. The Region received an individualized report: Regional Municipality of Waterloo, Report on Current State and Opportunities for Improvement dated May 18, April

22 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update According to this report the Region s blue box program is well managed, is operating under best practices and is generating good results with respect to tonnage diversion. The report also discussed opportunities for further program improvement which included: Implement bag limits on household garbage collection; Target the transient school population with promotion & education efforts; Continue to evaluate whether drying aluminum bales is necessary; Improve housekeeping at the MRC for a safer work environment; Update or redesign the MRC; Consider split-body compaction collection trucks for the next contract; and Conduct pre-tender consultation for the next rural collection contract. The Region has implemented the majority of the program improvements. This has included a major expansion and rebuild of the Materials Recycling Centre, eliminating the aluminum bales drying, targeting the University student populations in the Region and conducting pre-tender consultation for the next collection contract. The Region currently has bag limits throughout the Region but needs to fully evaluate these further before proceeding with changes and will review this as part of the new waste master plan study. 2.2 Geographic Area and Demographics The Region of Waterloo, located in south-western Ontario, was created in 1973 as an upper tier Municipality from the County of Waterloo and a small section of the County of Wentworth. At that time, fifteen former local governments were re-organized into seven Area Municipalities within the Region. The Area Municipalities include: the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo; and the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. The total area of Waterloo Region is 1,382 square kilometres. The location of the Area Municipalities and the Region are shown on Appendix A.1. Population estimates (existing and projected) for the entire Region are charted on Figure 2.1. The total population for the Region, as estimated for the year-end 2010, is 543,700. This includes university students, estimated at 39,030. The number of households in the Region is currently April

23 Population (000's) Population (000's) Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 194,890 (see Figure 2.2). The total population of the Region is expected to rise to 729,000 by 2031, and households are expected to increase to 280, Existing and Projected Poulations Existing and Projected Households Year Year Figure 2.1: Projected Population Figure 2.2: Projected Households Waste and Recyclables Quantities and Composition In 2010, the total amount of waste landfilled at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre was approximately 216,121 tonnes. Of the total waste received in 2010, 58 percent (125,362 tonnes) originated from the Region s Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) sector and 42 percent (90,759 tonnes) originated from the residential sector. Since completion of the original Master Plan in 1986, the total amount of residential and IC&I waste declined substantially until 1995 and then recovered slowly thereafter. The IC&I tonnage appear to have stabilized over the last few years. Residential waste landfilled in 2000 and 2005 was 88,000 and 96,400 tonnes, respectively. In 2010, the amount was 90,759 tonnes. Figure 2.3 depicts these trends. April

24 Tonnage (000'ss) Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Total Landfill Tonnage Waterloo and Cambridge Waste Management Facilities Figure 2.3: Total Landfill Tonnage Year Waste tonnages for the Region have been projected to remain constant for the remaining site life at an average annual tonnage of 220,000 tonnes. It is expected that population growth will be balanced with increased diversion through new initiatives. A variety of factors have affected the amount of waste landfilled at Regional sites. Over the last 20 years, the tendency for residents to adopt waste diversion strategies as part of their daily activities has increased noticeably. In 1995, over 30,700 tonnes of material previously destined for landfill was either recycled (22,300 tonnes) or composted (8,400 tonnes) through the Region-wide residential recycling and composting programs. In 2010, the Region diverted over 96,770 tonnes through the extensive diversion programs offered. The Region s diversion rate of 51 percent is one of the highest rates in the Province. Similarly, local businesses recognize that significant cost-savings are realized by implementing programs designed to reduce raw material use and waste generation. Local companies with established waste reduction programs, such as Toyota, Rockwell International, J.M. Schneider and Clarica, are able to significantly divert the material they previously sent to landfill. April

25 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Significant cost-savings have been demonstrated in each of these cases. Due to the inherent economic benefits of implementing a successful waste reduction program, the opportunity for waste diversion in the IC&I sector remains substantial. Predicting landfill capacity beyond a five year window is very subjective. In 1973, the total amount of waste landfilled was 648,000 tonnes. Based on that tonnage and expected growth, it was projected that the quantity of waste requiring disposal would be on the order of 1.4 million tonnes in 1994 and 2 million tonnes by However, due to a number of factors including major waste exporting and the implementation of both residential and IC&I waste diversion programs, actual tonnage landfilled in 1994 and 2010 was 191,200 tonnes and 216,121 tonnes, respectively. Given the potential for implementation of alternative waste management technologies, the introduction of new diversion programs, and improvements to historical diversion programs, it is anticipated that there is approximately years of landfill capacity remaining at the Waterloo Landfill Site. 2.4 Waste Management Facilities The Region of Waterloo is currently responsible for the disposal of the Region s residential waste. The Region achieves this through the operation of one sanitary landfill site, one bulk waste transfer facility, five closed landfills, six small vehicle transfer stations and a number of waste diversion programs and facilities. The locations of the landfill site, bulk waste transfer facility, and transfer stations are shown on the Regional map A.1 in the Appendix. Four of the six Regionally operated transfer stations are located in the rural Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. The remaining two are located at each of the Waste Management Centres in Waterloo and Cambridge. All of the six small vehicle transfer stations accept both waste and recyclable materials. The Region is also responsible for on-going environmental monitoring and maintenance of five closed landfills: Cambridge, Kitchener, Woolwich, Ayr, and Cheese Factory Road. April

26 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update User fees have been established at the landfill and the six small vehicle transfer stations. At the transfer stations, the first 50 kg of waste received is at no charge to the user. Loads over 50 kg are charged a fee based on the type of material being dropped off. A copy of the current User Fee Schedule at Regional sites (effective July 1, 2010) is presented in the in the Appendix. Fees for general waste are presently $70 per tonne. Fees for segregated loads (i.e., Blue Box materials, compostable organics, appliances, scrap metal and inert waste) are presently $30 per tonne. Commodity fees are typically lower than landfill tipping fees due to the inherent market value of the materials collected and to encourage recycling. Several materials are currently banned from landfill including old corrugated cardboard (OCC), tires, wooden pallets, grass clippings, and electronic waste. The fee for tires at the small vehicle transfer stations is $100 per tonne. The fee for electronic waste is $10.00 per item for the first 4 pieces and $25.00 per item for each additional piece. The fees collected for electronic waste help offset the cost of transportation and processing of the materials. 2.5 Waste Reduction Programs The Region is responsible for residential waste reduction and recycling programs. Regional programs currently in place for the residential sector include: curbside Blue Box collection; curbside Green Bin organic collection; multi-residential recycling; leaf, brush, and yardwaste diversion; public education and promotion; HHW collection; paint drop-off and exchange; tire and scrap metal recycling; used motor oil drop-off; re-useable building materials and household item drop-off; electronic waste drop-off; large item curbside collection and CFC removal; and operation of the Materials Recycling Centre. April

27 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The Region is financially and administratively responsible for the waste reduction and recycling services delivered to Regional residents, including the Blue Box program. The Region receives partial funding from Waste Diversion Ontario for the recycling program. Blue Box materials collected are processed at the Region s MRC or, in the case of fibres collected in Cambridge, are sent directly to market. The original MRC was a 38,000 square foot building which opened in 1991 to receive Blue Box materials collected in the curbside and multiresidential programs. In 2009, the MRC was expanded to 50,000 square feet and the equipment replaced to modernize the facility. Approximately 37,950 tonnes of recyclables were received for processing in The Green Bin Program was implemented in stages from 2006 to It started as 1,000 household pilots in both 2006 and 2007 to test out different bins, paper liner bags and promotional materials. Additional households were then added in lots of approximately 40,000 homes each, over three years. Currently, all single family homes in the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo and in the settlement areas of the Townships have the Green Bin Program. April

28 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 3.0 WATERLOO WASTE MANAGEMENT CENTRE 3.1 Introduction This section of the report focuses on landfilling, materials recycling/diversion, environmental controls and transfer station operations at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre (WMC) and compares current facilities and operations with the recommendations contained within the 1986 Master Plan. Waste diversion operations at Waterloo are described in this section with additional information found in Section 8.0 of this report. At the conclusion of the Master Planning process, a large percentage of the final recommendations for operations and facilities pertained specifically to the expansion of the Waterloo Landfill and the creation of new facilities at the Waterloo WMC. All but three of these recommendations have been implemented. The recommendation to construct a Regional Roads Operations Centre at the WMC was dropped due to lack of space. Waste shredding and incineration were also not pursued due to cost concerns. Historically, incineration has not been a widely accepted alternative for waste disposal in Ontario and shredding is also not a common practice. However, the Waste Management climate in Ontario is changing, and these options (i.e. energy from waste, shredding and newer Waste Management technologies) will be re-evaluated. Section 9.0 briefly discusses a residual waste management master planning process. In addition to describing the site location and features of the Waterloo WMC, this section will address the following six key topics identified in the 1986 Master Plan and describe future plans for the WMC: Site facilities including the development of the small vehicle transfer station; Landfill design and operations planning; Hydrogeology; Stormwater management; Leachate control; and Landfill gas control. April

29 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 3.2 Site Location and Approval Status The Waterloo WMC encompasses the entire waste management site located at 925 Erb Street West in the City of Waterloo. The location of the site is shown on the Regional map A.1 in the Appendix. The WMC is bounded to the north by Regional Road No. 9 (Erb Street West), to the east by a Hydro Electric Power Corridor (HEPC), to the south by a Canadian National Railway (CNR) right-of-way and Glasgow Street, and to the west by the Wilmot Town Line. St. Agatha Woods, a Regional Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area (ESPA No. 15), is located to the west of the landfill area. ESPA s are Regionally designated, based on the occurrence of significant or rare flora and fauna. A portion of this ESPA is located within the WMC property boundaries. In May 1972, a Certificate of Approval (C of A) was issued to the City of Waterloo for the operation of a landfill site on what is now the Waterloo WMC on Erb Street. Landfilling commenced in November 1972, just prior to the formation of the Region of Waterloo. On January 1, 1973, the Region assumed responsibility for solid waste disposal within Regional boundaries and thus assumed operation of the site. An Environmental Assessment for an expansion of the landfill was approved by the Ministry of the Environment in 1991 and Provisional C of A No. A was issued in November The current C of A is a consolidated C of A and was issued on January 5, This consolidated C of A No. A includes the landfill, household hazardous waste (HHW) program, materials recycling centre, waste diversion area, compost pad and small vehicle transfer station. The site is currently operating in compliance with this consolidated C of A. The Waterloo Landfill is divided into three areas, the Original Landfill Area (OLA), the North Expansion Area (NEA) and the South Expansion Area (SEA). The OLA is located in the central portion of the site. The NEA includes four cells. The first cell, NE-1, was constructed in 1994, cell NE-2 was constructed in 2002, and cell NE-3 was constructed in The SEA consists of seven cells. SE-1 and SE-3 were constructed in 2006, and SE-2 was constructed in Cell SE-2 is the current active filling area. More detail on the landfill sequencing within these areas is presented in Section April

30 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The development of the expansion areas (NEA and SEA) has progressed in accordance with the 1986 Master Plan. Following completion of the Master Planning process and after examination of a number of alternatives, the expansion of the Waterloo Landfill was selected as the preferred long-term landfill option for the Region. Currently, the WMC comprises an area of approximately 126 hectares of which approximately 71 hectares is approved for landfilling. The other major components of the WMC include the following: Small vehicle transfer station; Material Recycling Centre; Compost pad (predominantly used for compost storage); Waste diversion area; Administration building; Household hazardous waste collection facility; Landfill gas blower building; Four leachate pump stations; Main weigh-scales; Green Bin transfer area; and Employee facility and equipment garage. Figure 3.1 is an areal photograph of the Waterloo WMC indicating the site layout of the above discussed areas. April

31 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.1: Waterloo WMC Site Layout April

32 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 3.3 Site Facilities, Development and Planning The 1986 Master Plan recommended that the Waterloo WMC provide the primary Regional Waste Management Services for the Region. As such, the following facilities have been constructed, expanded and/or replaced at the Waterloo WMC: Employee facility/equipment garage including offices, lunchroom, showers and washroom facilities as well as inside storage space for on-site equipment and service bays; Scale house and computerized scale system with both inbound and outbound scales; Material Recycling Centre (MRC) including offices, meeting room, and employee facilities; Administration building; Leachate control system metering building and four associated leachate pumping stations, Site services including watermains, emergency fire pump, and a sewage lift station; Leaf and brush/yard waste composting pad; Green Bin transfer area; Small vehicle transfer station including waste diversion area with electronic and household hazardous waste drop off; Gas control building including office and workshop; and Toromont power generating facility. Since the 2006 Waste Management Plan Update, three of above facilities have been upgraded due to the age of the initial facility. The original employee facility and equipment garage located in the north east of the OLA is no longer operational as an employee facility/shop. A new LEED Silver facility, in the South end of the site, has replaced the original facility, with access to the facility off Glasgow St (Figure 3.2). The new employee facility/equipment garage includes offices, lunchroom, showers and washroom facilities, inside storage space for on-site equipment, and service bays. This facility was completed in Also in 2009, the MRC was expanded and process equipment was replaced. The original building space was no longer adequate and the processing equipment was aging and no longer able to effectively process recyclables received. The changes should allow the Region to process all of the Region's recyclables for the next ten years. In 2010, the main scale house and computerized scale system was replaced with a new and enhanced scale system and house (Figure 3.3). April

33 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.2: South employee facility and shop Figure 3.3: Waterloo Main Scale Landfill Design and Operations When the 1986 Master Plan identified the preferred landfill alternative as the expansion of the existing Waterloo Landfill, the Region developed a Design and Operation (D&O) Report as a supporting document for the required environmental approvals. The 1994 D&O Report is now the approved conceptual design document for the site as specified in the Certificate of Approval. Creating the D&O Report involved addressing development and design issues identified in the 1986 Master Plan including: Access roads and ditches; Site design and staging plans; Buffer zones; Final contour design; Operating standards; and After-use plan. In accordance with the site C of A, in June of 2010, the Region submitted the design document entitled Landfill Base Design Features: SE-5, SE-6, SE-7, and NE-4 Cells North and South Expansion Area to the MOE. This design document includes the conceptual design plans for the engineered landfill base and sidewall design and leachate collection system design for cells SE-5 through SE-7, and NE-4. April

34 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Access roads and ditches During the development of the Waterloo WMC, an extensive road and ditch network was constructed throughout the site. Since the 2006 Waste Management Plan Update, the south haul road has been extended to connect the haul road to the newly constructed SE-2. It also connects the haul road to the granular access road to the new south employee facility and equipment garage. This work was done as part of a continuing research partnership between the Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo s Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology. The 2001 council approved this partnership and the University of Waterloo continues to evaluate various asphalt surfaces under load, and other structural elements of the complete roadbed at the Waterloo WMC. Ditching constructed in conjunction with roadways improves the control of surface runoff by directing run off to surface water ponds. Perimeter ditches and swales also control overland flows by directing water into the same ponds. Section 3.5 summarizes the ponds currently in place at the WMC Site design and staging plans The overall site development and filling sequence involved the disposal of waste within the OLA followed by filling in the NEA and then the SEA. The OLA commenced filling operations in 1972 and was closed and completed with final cap by the end of Expansion into the North Expansion Area (NEA) was overlapped with completion of disposal within the OLA. The first NEA cell, NE-1, was constructed in 1994 and was used as the primary waste cell until mid Cell NE-2 was constructed in 2002 and was used as the primary waste cell from August 2002 until August Cell NE-3 was constructed in 2004 and was used as the primary waste cell from September 2004 until end of The South Expansion Area (SEA) consists of seven cells, SE-1 through SE-7. The combined cells SE-1 and SE-3 were constructed in spring 2006 and were used as the primary waste cell from beginning of 2007 to November SE-2 was constructed in 2009 and is the current active filling area. The remaining landfill cells yet to be constructed are NE-4, and SE-4 through SE-7. April

35 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Surplus excavated material from cell development in the South Expansion area is the current source for both daily and interim cover materials. Liner quality material used for the construction of cells SE-1, SE-2 and SE-3 was sourced from within the SEA. Overall, the 1994 D&O Report guides operations at the Waterloo Landfill Site and sets the final elevations Buffer zones The 1986 Master Plan identified the need for buffer zones around the perimeter of the Waterloo Landfill. Now established, the inner boundary of these zones defines the limits of refuse disposal. The main features used in establishing the buffer zones were the location of adjacent hydroelectric corridors, roadways and the ESPA. To facilitate the expansion and operation of the landfill, without significantly reducing the potential volume of the site, several changes to the corridors and ESPA have taken place such as the relocation of a hydro electric corridor in 2008 that bisected the SEA and is now routed along the outer (western and southern) perimeter of the SEA. These changes were identified in the 2006 report, and no new changes have occurred to date Final contour design The final contours proposed for the Waterloo Landfill are shown on A.3 in the Appendix. The final slope ratio used at Waterloo is generally 4:1, with some areas designed with steeper slopes approaching 3:1. Final surface contours were established to maximize the available capacity of the landfill, to promote runoff of precipitation falling on the landfill area thereby minimizing infiltration, and to ensure that the contours were consistent with the objectives of the After-Use Plan. Once an area has been filled to design refuse elevations, it is capped with 90 centimetres of compacted low-permeable clay and 15 centimetres of seeded topsoil. All sloped, seeded surfaces are covered with an erosion control fabric to promote vegetative growth (Figure 3.4). By the end of 2002, the entire OLA was completed with final cover. By the end of 2010, the entire NE April

36 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update expansion area was covered with interim cover or final cover depending on whether final contours had been achieved in the area. In fall of 2010, SE-1 and SE-3 were covered with interim cover over the majority of the area and final cover over the east slope. As identified in the After-Use Plan, the final cover is and will continue to be augmented with additional soils where tree planting has occurred and will occur in the future. Figure 3.4: SE-1 and SE-3 erosion control blanket Operating standards All residential curbside and large commercial loads are weighed at the main scale prior to proceeding further onto the site. The trucks then travel to the active tipping face to unload. Typically, a spotter directs traffic and equipment at the tipping face. Once unloaded, the waste is placed and compacted within the tipping area. Traditionally, at the end of each working day, waste is covered with a minimum of 15 centimetres of daily cover soil. Two alternative daily cover systems have been approved to supplement daily soil cover where practical; a re-usable tarp system and a spray-on cover system. Although the landfill has available capacity, the Region has committed to extend the life of the landfill by as much as three years by replacing some of the daily soil cover with alternative daily covers. The spray-on daily cover and the tarpomatic systems were implemented in the fall of 2005, and continue to be used in conjunction with soil daily cover (see Figure 3.5 and Figure 3.6). April

37 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.5: Spray on Cover System Figure 3.6: Tarp Cover System Litter fences have been installed at the downwind property boundary. Mobile litter screens are also used directly adjacent to the active disposal area to control litter at the source. Staff removes litter from the site and adjacent properties on a regular or as needed basis. Dust control is achieved by sweeping and flushing roads as required After-use and post-closure programs An After-Use Plan has been developed for the Waterloo Landfill. In general, the planned end use is passive recreational with green space and conservation areas to blend with the adjacent ESPA area. Figure 3.7 depicts the conceptual After-Use Plan for Waterloo. The plan involves extensive tree planting and trail development. April

38 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.7: After-Use Plan for Waterloo A tree and shrub planting program was initiated in September 1997 as a phased naturalization program for portions of the landfill which have been completed with final capping. The planting program complies with the After-Use Plan for the site as passive recreational green space. Phases 1 through 10 have been completed. In the fall of 2010 Phase 10 was planted on the east slope of the OLA (Figure 3.8). As of December 2010, the total area of the tree and shrub vegetation is approximately 45, 000 square meters. April

39 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.8: Planting on the East slope of the OLA Future planting phases will comply with the After-Use Plan and the overall goal is to complete the staged planting program concurrently with final closure of the landfill. The trees and shrubs used are native to the area, and the planting program takes into consideration the existing flora and fauna in the adjoining ESPA. Since Waterloo will remain as an active landfill for at least 20 to 25 more years, the Region has not yet developed a detailed post-closure maintenance and monitoring program Materials Recycling Centre As recommended in the 1986 Master Plan and supporting Recycling Implementation Plan, the Region constructed the 3,500 square meter materials recycling centre (MRC) in In addition to the renovations outlined in the 2006 Master Plan Update, the MRC underwent further renovations in 2009 including a building addition and installation of new processing equipment (Figure 3.9). Presently, the MRC operates subject to the terms and conditions of consolidated amended Provisional Certificate of Approval #A140301, as well as Air Certificate of Approval STM. The MRC receives all Blue Box materials collected in the curbside and multi-residential programs as well as materials received at the small vehicle transfer stations. Each material received is sorted, baled or stockpiled at the MRC and then shipped to market. Materials are also received from a limited number of institutional sources, such as local municipal offices. April

40 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.9: Aerial photo of MRC Small Vehicle Transfer Station and Waste Diversion Area In the 1986 Master Plan, the small vehicle transfer station was not specifically identified as a separate component of the proposed development at the Waterloo site. However, to control tipping face traffic and provide improved customer service, the Small Vehicle Transfer Station (SVTS) at the WMC was constructed. The original SVTS was designed and constructed in 1990 to serve 600 vehicles per day. By 2002, the SVTS was handling approximately 1,000 vehicles per day with peak traffic up to 1,400 vehicles per day. As a result, upgrades were completed in 2005 in order to handle up to 2,000 vehicles per day in an efficient, safe and cost effective manner. Currently the SVTS handles on average 650 vehicles per day with peaks reaching 1,700 vehicles per day. The layout of the SVTS is shown in Figure April

41 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.10: Waterloo WMC Small Vehicle Transfer Station Site Layout April

42 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Since 2005 additional upgrades to the HHW facility (Figure 3.11) were completed including the installation of a new, larger capacity used oil tank at the HHW facility (Figure 3.12). This improved traffic flow through the HHW facility, increased the ability to handle used oil volumes and expanded the operational area within the building. In addition, a lean-to structure was constructed on the east side of the main HHW building to expand the covered operational area of the HHW. Figure 3.11: HHW facility Figure 3.12: New used oil depot Residents utilizing the SVTS enter the Waterloo WMC at Gate 2 and turn immediately to the right. Prior to the inbound scale, residents can enter an area to their left, known as the free circle, to dispose of their HHW, drop off items for Habitat for Humanity (Figure 3.13), Goodwill, Recycle Cycle (Bike re-use program, Figure 3.14), and access the paint exchange program. The Region also provides free wood chips for residents in this area. After the free circle, residents can either exit the site or proceed to the inbound scales to access the waste and recycling drop-off area. Figure 3.13: Habitat for Humanity ReStore Figure 3.14: Bike Re-use Program April

43 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update After crossing the inbound scale, residents continue straight to the designated waste diversion area. Waste materials accepted in the waste diversion area include typical Blue Box recyclables, Styrofoam, metals, shingles, drywall (pilot project), electronic waste, passenger tires, old toilets/ceramics, concrete, brick, wood, pallets, brush, and yard waste. Residents then follow the roadway to the left to place waste in bins that are set below grade for ease of handling. The customer then exits the site through one of two outbound scales and pays the appropriate fee at the scale house. The computerized scale system records all of the information (e.g., material type, fees charged, etc.). Fees charged for the various waste and recyclable materials are shown on the User Fee Schedule included in the Appendix Composting Operations The 1986 Master Plan recommended the development and implementation of a composting pilot to divert organic wastes from landfill. As a result of this pilot, the RIP recommended that the Region expand the centralized leaf composting pilot to a Region-wide program. A centralized leaf composting program was established by the Region in the early 1990 s. Presently, the Region receives yard waste including leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, Halloween pumpkins, brush and Christmas trees. In January 2007, the Cambridge site became the primary compost processing area for the Region. The Waterloo WMC is a collection point for yard waste (curbside and drop-off) which is then transferred to the Cambridge WMF for processing. In addition, a portion of the curbside leaves are sent to local farms for landspreading. The Region currently uses the 2.0 hectares of outdoor composting pad space at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre as an unloading and loading area, and as an area to stock pile compost and wood chips for giveaway (Figure 3.15). Although the Waterloo site no longer processes compost the Waterloo Compost Facility is still certified for processing, in accordance with the terms and conditions of Amended Provisional Certificate of Approval #A An overview of the compost program is presented in Section April

44 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 3.15: Waterloo compost pad space ISO In June 1998, the Waste Management Centre became the first municipal waste management facility in North America to register to ISO ISO is a series of voluntary environmental standards that have been developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Current objectives and target for the Waste Management division include landfill diversion via green bin and yard waste and reducing hydrogen sulfide emissions from the landfill. Being certified to the ISO global standard means that the Waste Management Centre is committed to identifying the immediate and long-term impacts of its operations, programs and activities on the environment and taking the necessary steps to reduce these impacts. An Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a systematic approach to addressing environmental concerns through the setting of goals and priorities, allocation of resources, assignment of responsibilities, and the on-going evaluation of practices, procedures and processes. The EMS assists the Division in maintaining compliance with laws protecting the April

45 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update environment; reducing environmental incidents and establishing a defense of due diligence. The Waste Management Centre is audited on a regular basis to ensure compliance with this standard. The Waste Management Division s Environmental Policy is included as A.4 of the Appendix. 3.4 Hydrogeology Since the completion of the 1986 Master Plan, detailed hydrogeologic studies have been conducted at the Waterloo Landfill to determine groundwater conditions and the extent of low permeability clay materials underlying the site. These clay materials provide the secure lowpermeable barrier necessary to protect the underlying aquifer from any detrimental impact associated with landfilling. The base elevations for the expansion areas were designed to provide a minimum of 4.6 metres of clay below the landfill base. In areas where the thickness of the clay is less than 4.6 metres, a 2.0 metre re-compacted clay base is constructed. In addition, the base of each expansion cell is sloped, including perforated pipes and stone drainage blankets, to maximize leachate collection. Section 3.6 describes the layout of the leachate collection system at the Waterloo Landfill. Groundwater quality at the Waterloo WMC is regularly monitored through an extensive network comprised of over 180 monitoring wells. Figure 3.5 shows all active monitoring well locations. Results from the monitoring program are summarized, assessed in terms of acceptable limits, and presented in an annual progress report. The assessment includes recommendations for additional wells, well abandonments and the use of remedial measures, if required. The June 1990 hydrogeology report remains the reference for all ongoing assessments of groundwater at the site. Comprehensive site hydrogeology reviews have been conducted in 2001 and again in 2010 to assess current impacts and potential future impact of landfill activities. The study included a review of the fundamental elements of the original studies and comparison with new monitoring data and information from new wells and studies to determine whether the hydrogeological conclusions remain valid, or require modification. April

46 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Monitoring results at the site have shown the presence of leachate impacted groundwater within the Aquifer Unit detected near the southeastern corner of the OLA. The main compound of concern is vinyl chloride (a volatile organic compound; VOC). A groundwater extraction system was commissioned in the area of the southeastern corner of the OLA in late 2001 to contain the impact and prevent further egress to downgradient areas. Two additional extraction wells were installed between 2002 and 2003, with another two wells installed in These wells were installed to augment the existing well network and to intercept any potential residual groundwater impacts at the south and east property boundary. Three of the extraction wells from the original system were abandoned due to their location within the SEA and degradation of the well screen. The containment system involves groundwater being pumped from the wells, conveyed via a drainage channel and discharged in accordance with all relevant environmental regulations to a stormwater pond at the south end of the site (located within the hydro corridor). To date, no groundwater impacts have been observed off-site. Currently five extraction wells are operating with one additional extraction well to be incorporated into the system in Staff will continue to regularly monitor the effectiveness of containment and modify the system as required. The location of the extraction well network, drainage channel, and stormwater pond are illustrated on A.5 of the Appendix. While the potential for vinyl chloride to exceed the drinking water objective of 2 parts per billion (ppb) in off-site private wells is low with the containment system in operation, detections of vinyl chloride continue to be observed in monitoring wells located near the south property boundary. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, a municipal watermain was installed in the summer of 2002 to ensure that residents directly south of the area (and downgradient from the OLA) maintain a secure water supply. The watermain services residents and businesses along Glasgow Street between the site boundary and Highland Road. Since 2003, the northwestern corner of the OLA has been closely monitored as detections of vinyl chloride were observed just outside the toe drain leachate collection system. Preliminary April

47 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update investigations were completed between 2004 and 2006 to identify the extent of VOC impacts near the northwest corner. Based on these investigations, a collection sump was installed and a pilot program to extract groundwater and monitor the northwest corner was prepared. In 2008, after approval from the MOE, the pilot program was initiated. The Pilot Study report was submitted to the MOE in January 2009 and recommended that the pilot program continue to operate. As such the containment system in the northwest, which involves low volumes of groundwater being pumped from a shallow sump/well and discharged to the perimeter leachate collection system, continues to operate. The groundwater monitoring program is discussed in detail in the Waterloo Landfill Site Annual Progress Reports. In order to monitor the hydraulic effectiveness of the containment system, determine the movement of the leachate plume, and provide an early warning system for the down gradient private wells, the monitoring well network continues to be expanded. Between 2005 and 2010, 38 new monitoring wells were installed at 28 locations and incorporated into the groundwater monitoring program. The locations of these wells were determined in consultation with the MOE and the landfill liaison committee. These wells improve the understanding of site geology/hydrogeology and the horizontal and vertical extent of the vinyl chloride impact. Monitoring wells will continue to be installed to the south of the site to further increase the understanding of groundwater trends in the area and to replace wells removed during cell construction. 3.5 Stormwater Management Since 1986, the Region has developed and implemented a storm water management plan to control both surface water runoff and sediment transport from the Waterloo site. Details of the design are presented in the 1994 D&O Report. A series of stormwater retention ponds and ditches controls and directs surface drainage off-site. These surface water bodies are monitored on a regular basis for typical landfill parameters. Results from the monitoring program are assessed and summarized in an annual report. Silt that accumulates in these ponds is removed when required and used as daily cover. April

48 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 3.6 Leachate Collection System The 1986 Master Plan identified the need for improved leachate controls at the Waterloo Landfill. Since 1986, an extensive leachate collection system has been installed in stages. An underdrain collection system was installed in the southwest portion of the OLA in In conjunction with this drainage system, a full perimeter toe-drain collector system was installed in phases around the OLA between 1987 and The perforated perimeter toe-drain collector lines are connected by a series of access manholes which allow leachate to flow via gravity into leachate pump stations. Pump Station 1 and 2 are located along the west side of the site and Pump Station 4 is located in the southeast. Pump Station 4 was constructed and commissioned in Pump Stations 1, 2 and 4 pump the leachate through forcemains to Pump Station 3 on the west side of the WMC. Pump Station 3 pumps the collected leachate off-site through a forcemain to a municipal gravity-flow sewer for treatment at the wastewater plant in the City of Waterloo. Regional personnel regularly inspect the entire collection system for flow problems. The collection system also undergoes regular maintenance in order to maintain collection efficiency. Appendix A.6 shows the location of the pump stations and the perimeter system. The perimeter system around the OLA does capture a significant volume of leachate. However, this system has not been completely effective as it was installed to retrofit the older portion of the landfill. Monitoring results have confirmed the presence of vinyl chloride at several locations and the need for groundwater remediation measures as discussed in Section 3.4. WMC expansion cells NE-1, NE-2, NE-3, SE-1, SE-2 and SE-3 were designed and constructed with a continuous base leachate collection system that consists of the following components: A 300 millimetre thick continuous uniform clear stone drainage blanket in combination with geotextile on a clay base; Drainage blankets on clay sidewalls to facilitate drainage of leachate pockets; Perforated HDPE collector and header pipes within the stone drainage blanket; Collection and header pipe cleanouts; Access manholes; April

49 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Connection into Pump Station Two (NE-1, 2 and 3) or Pump Station Four (SE-1 and 2); and Cell SE-3 is connected with a small temporary pump to the OLA perimeter drain. Figure 3.16 shows the construction of SE-2 during the preparation of the continuous base leachate collection system. Appendix A.6 shows the location of the OLA perimeter collector lines and the base collector system used for cells in the NEA and SEA. The design for the NEA and SEA cells allows leachate to migrate by gravity to a central collection point thereby maximizing recovery and minimizing seeps through final cover soils. Pump Station 4 was constructed as part of SE-2 construction to handle the leachate from the east side of the SEA. Pump Station 5 will be constructed with cell SE-4 to handle the leachate from the west side of the SEA. Leachate removal from SE-3 is supplemented using a vacuum truck with transportation to Pump Station 3, as required. Figure 3.16: Construction of SE Landfill Gas Control and Utilization While not specifically identified in the 1986 Master Plan, the Region has undertaken a comprehensive landfill gas management program called the Landfill Gas Action Plan. The April

50 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update major objectives of this plan are to minimize landfill emissions to the atmosphere, subsurface migration of landfill gas, and off site odours due to landfill gas. The Plan was developed as a phased strategy to implement a long-term gas management approach at the Waterloo Landfill. Phase One involved the installation and sampling of perimeter gas probes in Phase Two, completed in 1994, included an evaluation of landfill gas generation in terms of rate, expected duration, and marketability. Phase Three commenced in March of 1995 involved the construction of a gas collection system. The gas collection system introduced further environmental controls at the site to reduce landfill odour impacts and to control off-site migration of gas generated by a natural decomposition of organic waste materials. The main components of the original gas collection system consisted of a network of 52 vertical wells installed throughout the OLA to collect the gas; several kilometres of collection pipes to transport the gas; and a control building with blowers to draw the gas towards a high temperature flare where the gas was initially burned off. The collection and flaring system commenced operation in November This initial phase collected approximately 1,200 cubic feet per minute of landfill gas and demonstrated that the site would produce over 2,000 cubic feet per minute of gas once the system was fully developed. Since 1998, several expansions have been completed on the gas extraction system to optimize gas collection efficiency as landfilling progresses at the site. The most recent expansion to the system occurred in 2010 and included the drilling of 5 extraction wells and connecting 11 leachate manholes in the northwest portion of the NEA. In addition five, 1-inch temporary gas extraction wells were installed in the spring of 2010 to enhance gas collection in the SEA (Figure 3.17). Figure 3.17: One inch temporary gas wells April

51 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The landfill gas collection system currently consists of the following components as shown in Appendix A landfill gas (LFG) extraction wells, 12 horizontal collection trenches in the north expansion area, 3 horizontal collection trenches in the south expansion area (two in operation) A lateral and subheader piping network connecting the extraction wells to a dual gas header, A dual gas header to the blower building, Valve and condensate trap chambers, A series of 5, 1inch temporary gas extraction wells in the SEA, 11 NEA manhole connections to the gas collection system, 3 SEA manholes with temporary connections to the gas extraction system, and LFG flare (contingency), Currently, landfill gas is used to fuel an electricity generating station. The generating station came on-line in August 1999 and now generates 4.5 megawatts of power with planned upgrades up to approximately ten megawatts in the next ten years. The conceptual diagram below depicts the layout of the gas control system at Waterloo. Landfill Gas Gas Treatment Generators Landfill Green Electricity to the Grid Contingency Flares Figure 3.18: Conceptual Diagram of Gas Control System Collecting methane gas before it is released into the atmosphere reduces the impact of a persistent source of greenhouse gases while providing a reliable source of fuel to produce April

52 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update electricity. The project is managed through a three-way partnership between the Region, Toromont Energy, and Ontario Power Generation (formerly Ontario Hydro). The Region owns and operates the gas collection system and supplies gas to Toromont Energy in exchange for a royalty based on the amount of electricity sold. Toromont Energy owns and operates the electrical generating station and sells the power and emission credits under Ontario s Pilot Emission Reduction Trading (PERT) program to Ontario Power Generation. Revenue in 2010 was approximately $715, 000. This royalty increased from approximately $250,000 in 2005 as flows increased and improved electricity sale prices were negotiated. Refer to the Appendix A.8 for more information on the Waterloo Landfill Gas Information Sheet. The extracted landfill gas contains approximately 50 percent methane, 38 percent carbon dioxide, with the remaining quantity made up of oxygen, nitrogen and trace quantities of other gases. In 2010 a total of 11,500,000 cubic meters of LFG was collected. Through the utilization of LFG for electricity, a reduction in methane emissions of approximately 165, 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent was achieved in In 2010, Toromont Energy s average power output was approximately 5000 kwh, which translates to approximately 4000 to 6000 houses being provided with electricity from this renewable power source. The power plant is anticipated to operate 24 hours a day for the next 50 years. The project is in harmony with the Region s Clean Air Plan aimed at reducing smog and greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations. In 2009, a solar gas flare was purchased and can be used at various site manholes to provide contingency flaring for LFG venting (Figure 3.19) where connection to the permanent landfill gas collection system is not feasible. The solar flare is a stand alone flare capable of combusting up to 90 cfm of landfill gas. Figure 3.19: Portable LFG flare on manhole in the south April

53 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update In 2010, the installation of a second 800 cfm large capacity flare at the landfill blower building began. The construction will be completed in The additional flare will provide full contingency capacity for flaring of landfill gas at times when the Toromont Energy facility is not operational. SCADA software has been installed at the Waterloo landfill to monitor, control and collect data from the leachate pumping station. It also monitors and collects data from the gas control system. This system works remotely or on-site to monitor the systems and to analyze data trends. 3.8 Future Plans Future construction activity will focus on cell development of NE-4, completion of landfill activities on the NEA and the development of SE-4, as well as improvements to the leachate control system. NE-4 is scheduled to be constructed in 2012 and by the end of 2012 landfilling activities well resume in the NEA. Subsequently, SE-4 will be developed. As part of SE-4 construction, a leachate pump station and storm water pond will be built. Leachate Pump Station 2 will also be rebuilt to continue to handle leachate flows from the site. A condition of the 1991 EA landfill expansion approval was the formation of the Landfill Liaison Committee. This Committee was established at that time and still meets quarterly with Regional Management staff to address questions and review upcoming projects at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre. Continuing to respond to legitimate concerns from this group in the future will assist the Waste Management Division in operating the Waterloo site effectively and within the guidelines set by the current Certificate of Approval. April

54 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 4.0 CAMBRIDGE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY 4.1 Introduction This section of the report focuses on current and historical waste management activities at the Cambridge Waste Management Facility (CWMF). As discussed in Section 3.0 of this report, the creation of the Waterloo Waste Management Centre and the expansion of the Waterloo Landfill were the principal focus of the 1986 Master Plan. However, the 1986 Master Plan also states that one of the principal recommendations from the public was to continue using the existing larger landfills to avoid the need to establish new sites. Therefore, the continued use of the Cambridge Landfill was a specific part of the Regional waste management strategy as identified in the 1986 Master Plan. The CWMF was an active landfill site until June 1, 2003 and was fully capped by the end of Upon closure of the active landfill area, waste operations were shifted to the newly constructed Bulk Waste Transfer Station. The current waste management activities at the site include a public drop-off area for residential waste, recyclables, electronics and select household hazardous waste items in addition to a bulk transfer station for waste collected curbside from the City of Cambridge and Township of North Dumfries. The waste from the Bulk Transfer Station is transferred into highway trailers and hauled to the Waterloo Landfill Site for final disposal. The recyclables are either sent directly to end markets or are transported to the Waterloo Materials Recycling Centre for further processing. In June 2009, construction of a new scale house and weigh scales was completed to replace the aging infrastructure at the CWMF. Figure 4.1 shows an aerial photograph of the CWMF as of November April

55 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.1: Aerial photograph of CWMF 4.2 Site Location and Approval Status The CWMF is located at the east end of Savage Drive in the City of Cambridge as shown on the Regional map A.1 in the Appendix. The City of Galt (now a part of the City of Cambridge) applied to the Ministry of the Environment for the original Certificate of Approval (C of A) to use the Savage Drive site for waste disposal in April The Regional Municipality of Waterloo (Region) was formed on January 1, 1973 and subsequently assumed waste management responsibilities including operating landfill sites. In May of 1973, C of A No. A was issued to the Region for the operation of the Cambridge Landfill. As of June 1, 2003, landfilling at the Cambridge site ceased and final capping was completed by December Although final capping of the main landfill area signified the end of landfilling, the Region continues to operate the following waste management activities at this facility: Transfer of waste and recyclables from the Cambridge Bulk Transfer Station ; Disposal of inert waste in the inert/borrow area located north of the hydro corridor ; Residential waste drop-off area which includes electronics, paint, and oil collection ; and, Operation of a centralized yard waste composting facility including a green bin transfer area. April

56 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Waste management operations were previously operated under separate approvals at the Cambridge Landfill Site. On March 13, 2009, an amended Provisional Certificate of Approval was issued to the Region which consolidates the waste transfer and compost facility Certificate of Approvals with the original waste disposal approval. The layout of the 123 hectare CWMF is shown on Figure 4.2. The 38 hectare landfill portion of the site is divided as follows: Inert Disposal Area: The inert disposal area lies north of the hydro corridor to Clyde Road. Materials acceptable for disposal include concrete rubble, bricks, soil and any other waste that is designated as inert. Since the inert area does not currently receive significant amounts of waste (nor is it forecast to receive significant amounts in the future), the western half of the inert disposal area has been permanently capped and vegetated as part of on-going closure and capping operations. Former Main Landfill Disposal Area: The former main landfill disposal area is located south of the hydro corridor. This disposal area was historically licensed for disposal of commercial, industrial, and residential solid waste. The disposal of hazardous waste, liquid waste, tires and corrugated cardboard was prohibited. This area closed in June 2003 and was fully capped by the end of The balance of the property at the CWMF consists of a public waste drop-off area including electronic, paint and oil collection areas, an employee facility with equipment garage, yard waste compost pads and buffer areas. April

57 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.2: Cambridge WMF Site Layout April

58 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 4.3 Site Facilities, Development and Planning The 1986 Master Plan recommended that various on-site facilities and structures be replaced or upgraded at the Cambridge Landfill Site. Region staff utilized older construction trailers for office space, lunchroom, and change and shower facilities. Water was supplied from a well adjacent to the disposal area and the old single weigh-scale caused congestion during peak traffic hours. The heavy equipment garage was also in very poor repair and in need of replacement. While large commercial vehicles were able to effectively use the access roads to the disposal area, the rough terrain was difficult for cars and small pick-up trucks to negotiate. Since 1986, the following upgrades have occurred at the CWMF: New employee facility/equipment garage as well as a fuel dispensing area; New scale house and computerized scale system with both inbound and outbound scales constructed in 1990 and subsequently upgraded in 2009; Bulk waste transfer station and small vehicle transfer station; Covered sand and salt storage bunkers; Leaf and yard waste composting operations; Green bin organics transfer area; Leachate collection and pumping system; Landfill gas collection, flaring and utilization system; and Water and fire main upgrades including booster pump station. Construction of the new facilities (Figure 4.3) along with new access roads has improved traffic flow at the site resulting in improved customer service. Traffic flow and customer service improvements were most noticeable following the completed construction of the small vehicle transfer station in the late 1980s and again after the construction of further upgrades in In June of 2009, the scale facilities originally constructed were upgraded with a new scale house complete with two kiosks and a total of four weigh scales. This new facility also includes the basic infrastructure and foundations for an additional outbound scale and future automation of the outer scales for account customers. April

59 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.3: Cambridge WMF Main Scales Site Design and Operations Planning During development of the 1986 Master Plan, it became apparent that the site design and operations planning at the Cambridge Landfill were inadequate. The Region began to prepare more detailed operation plans beginning with an Interim Site Development Plan in This plan was subsequently updated in 1988 and again in The 1994 Site Development and Operations Update (1994 Development Plan) for the Cambridge Landfill addresses the detailed development and design issues raised in the 1986 Master Plan including: Access roads and ditching; Site design and staging plans; Final contour design; Operating standards; and After-use and post-closure programs. Older design documents showed a twin peak or ridge concept for the inert and sanitary landfill disposal areas which have been subsequently revised. The final inert and final main disposal area footprint was established in the 1994 Cambridge Development Plan as revised in Appendix A.9 illustrates the approximate areas of historical development for the April

60 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Cambridge Landfill. Approximately half of the north inert area is capped with 100 centimetres of clay and 15 centimetres of seeded topsoil. All seeded surfaces at the site are covered with erosion control fabric to promote vegetative growth. The remainder of the inert area is used to receive small amounts of inert waste, and the temporary stockpiling of materials (see Figure 4.4). Figure 4.4: Cambridge WMF Inert Area As of June 1, 2003, the main disposal area was completely closed, clay capped and re-vegetation began. The Region proceeded with the construction of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) cap installed over a fine graded bedding/leveling layer comprised of slag in the main disposal area. A vegetative cover of low maintenance mixed grasses was planted as part of the final cap installation to minimize erosion and associated sediment transport. Repairs to the existing cap on the main disposal area were also completed during construction of the final cap. Appendix A.10 illustrates the final contours and drainage plans as well as the extent of final capping. Capping the former disposal area reduced infiltration, and minimized both leachate production and the escape of landfill gas to the environment. Final capping was complete by the end of April

61 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update A post-closure maintenance and monitoring program pertaining to the former disposal areas was developed and presented in the Closure Plan submitted to the MOE in December This report addressed the post-closure activities planned for the treatment, control, and monitoring for the leachate, groundwater, surface water, and landfill gas systems. Also included in the closure plan are procedures for the inspection and maintenance of the landfill cap, environmental monitoring controls, record keeping and reporting, and complaint contact and response procedures. Generally, the Region will continue to monitor the site and perform any corrective maintenance as identified. Over the long-term, the Region intends to use the site for passive recreational green space. The intention is to develop an after-use program at the CWMF similar to the approved After-Use Plan for the Waterloo Landfill site. In general, the program developed for the Waterloo Landfill site incorporates tree cells intermixed with shrubs native to the surrounding area. In this regard, a landscape architect has been retained to assist the Region with a conceptual after-use plan that incorporates the entire CWMF. The Region is working with the landscape architect in the short term to implement phased re-naturalization at the site. Work has been completed to enhance and re-naturalize infiltration pond SWP7 and the area south of the compost pads. The landscape architect will be consulted to determine if the planting of tree cells is a viable option for this site since the GCL, installed on the top of the former main landfill area, may not be conducive to this type of re-naturalization. However, it is anticipated that the site will not be used for passive recreational green space or open for public access for a minimum of 25 years since the Region will continue to operate the site for waste transfer and composting operations Small Vehicle and Bulk Waste Transfer Station The 1986 Master Plan described conceptual plans for a small vehicle transfer station. The plan provided an area for residential customers to deposit recyclables and waste in appropriate bins. Construction of the small vehicle transfer station (SVTS) was completed in 1990 and was designed to accommodate fifteen, 40 cubic yard bins along a concrete sawtooth bin (Figure 4.5) wall set below grade for ease of handling. The SVTS continues to be a component of the April

62 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update existing facility where residential vehicles can drop off recyclables prior to disposing of waste at the bulk transfer facility. Figure 4.5: SVTS Bin Wall In the 1986 Master Plan it also states that the intent of the small vehicle transfer station was to continue to service customers after the site was closed to on-site disposal however it additionally stated that the small vehicle transfer station could not accommodate the transfer of wastes to the Waterloo Landfill. At that time the Region was not considering the construction of a large transfer station due to cost and assumed minimal impact to haul directly to the Waterloo Landfill. However with the closure of active landfilling at the Cambridge Site, staff re-evaluated several service level options to deal with the increasing number of customers served per year (approximately 115,000 customers) at the Cambridge Landfill. Based on an extensive review of potential options, consideration of financial implications and aesthetic impacts, staff developed a phase-out plan for the main landfill area. Regional Council approved the phase-out plan in November, The main elements of the plan were the construction of a bulk waste transfer station in 2002 and the final closure of the main landfill area by the end of This approach was adopted as it offered the following benefits: April

63 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update significantly improved the long-term visual impact of the site; increased the Region s capacity to service customers utilizing existing facilities established at the Cambridge site; reduced total operating costs; increased optimization of the current Regional recycling facility and operation; eliminated individual vehicle trips per year to the Waterloo Landfill; and has a minimal impact to long term landfill capacity and was equivalent to overall reduction in capacity by 1 to 2 percent of the remaining 30 year capacity. As planned, construction of the bulk waste transfer station (Figure 4.6) was completed in 2002 with the commencement of waste transfer operations to the Waterloo Landfill site in December, The bulk waste transfer facility was designed to handle both waste and recyclables from the residential sector (i.e. individual residents and municipal collectors) as well as the ICI sector. No liquid or hazardous waste can be handled at the facility. The bulk waste transfer station was designed to have a maximum capacity of 700 tonnes per day and the intention was to have minimal overnight storage of waste. On average the Cambridge facility receives approximately 350 tonnes per day of refuse. Figure 4.6: Cambridge Bulk Waste Transfer Station (Looking South) April

64 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The 25,000 square foot bulk waste transfer station is comprised of three main areas: the tipping floor (see Figure 4.7) complete with access chutes to the tunnel, the tunnel, and the recycling area. Residential vehicles access the tipping floor via one of nine overhead doors along the west and south faces of the building (see Figure 4.8). All residential vehicle doorways were completed with a 0.3 m high concrete sill to prevent accidental vehicle entry onto the tipping floor. The tipping floor is 2.0 m below the door sill to provide storage capacity of 48 hours during the week and 72 hours over the weekend. Municipal garbage collection trucks access the tipping floor via three overhead doors on the north face of the building (see Figure 4.9). The tunnel (see Figure 4.9), in the centre of the building, is used by open top transport trucks that enter the tunnel and stop below one of two floor openings. Waste is pushed from the tipping floor through steel chutes into the trucks below. The designated recycling area is located in the eastern portion of the building and is the same elevation as the tipping floor (see Figure 4.10). Figure 4.7: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Tip Floor Figure 4.8: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Residential Vehicle Access April

65 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.9: Bulk Waste Transfer Station (municipal truck tip floor and tunnel entrance) Figure 4.10: Bulk Waste Transfer Station Recycling Area Given that the bulk waste transfer facility is an indoor operation, for health and safety reasons fine dust wastes, asbestos, and sludge/sludge like materials cannot be accepted. These materials can still be received at the Waterloo Landfill site. The following residential services are offered at the Cambridge Waste Management Facility: Used Oil/Paint Drop-off; Paint Exchange Program (Wednesday Only); CFC Removal from White Goods; White Goods and Scrap Metal Drop-off; Drop-off for Cardboard and other Blue Box Recyclables; Composter and Blue Box Distribution; Household Hazardous Waste Collection (Selected Saturdays); Leaves/Brush/Yard Waste/Wood Pallets; Compost Give-away (2x per year); Woodchip Give-away (daily); and Electronic Waste Drop-off Centralized Composting and Green Bin Transfer Area Development The 1986 Master Plan recommended the development and implementation of a composting pilot to divert organic wastes from landfill. The Region undertook a composting pilot in October 1987 at the CWMF. The pilot included an original composting area of 1.5 hectares. As a result of this pilot, a centralized leaf composting program was established by the Region in the early 1990s at both the Waterloo and Cambridge Waste Management Facilities. April

66 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Since the pilot program, the CWMF composting facilities have undergone several expansions. The first expansion occurred in 1991 which coincided with the construction of the employee facility. Subsequent expansions occurred in 1992, 2002 and The 2004 expansion was completed to accommodate the revised composting strategy that centralized the majority of composting operations from the Waterloo site to the Cambridge site. This included the construction of required stormwater management controls to manage stormwater from the expanded composting areas. The composting area is currently approximately 7.5 hectares. The Cambridge compost operation is subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended Provisional Certificate of Approval No. A Presently, the centralized operations involves the receipt and processing of all types of yard waste including leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, Halloween pumpkins, brush and Christmas trees. An overview of the compost program is presented in Section A green bin transfer area is located in the compost pad area at the CWMF. The area was constructed in 2006 and consists of a concrete pad and push wall (Figure 4.11). The collected source separated organics from the Region s green bin program are deposited on the concrete pads then Region staff place the green bin organics into 40 yard containers with specially designed lids. The containers are hauled offsite for processing at an approved private processing facility. A summary of the Region s green bin program is presented in Section Figure 4.11: Cambridge WMF Green Bin Transfer Area April

67 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update 4.4 Hydrogeology The Region has been conducting hydrogeologic investigations at the Cambridge Landfill site since the completion of the 1986 Master Plan. The Region has assessed the environmental impact of historical and current operations on the groundwater conditions from the CWMF. Groundwater quality at the Cambridge facility is regularly monitored through an extensive network of 129 wells (observation, domestic, leachate, pumping and municipal wells). Appendix A.11 shows the location of all active monitoring wells. Private laboratories analyze samples collected for organic chemicals, metals and general chemistry. Analytical results are reviewed regularly, summarized, assessed in terms of acceptable limits, compared to previous trends, and documented in an annual report which is submitted to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Contingency measures are in place for the private wells near the south property boundary in the event future sampling results show landfill related impacts. The major component of these measures is a completed design of a municipal watermain for these private wells. If during a regular sampling event, vinyl chloride is detected, the well will be immediately re-sampled to confirm its presence. If the resample confirms the presence of vinyl chloride at a concentration above the drinking water objective (2 parts per billion), the Region will immediately provide an alternative drinking supply and take measures to provide a treatment system for water used in the residence. Staff will continue to evaluate and recommend when to construct the hook-up to the municipal water main. To date vinyl chloride has not been detected in the downgradient private wells however monitoring is ongoing. 4.5 Stormwater Management The CWMF maintains a storm water management (SWM) pond network including extensive ditch work. The SWM ponds control off-site flows and limit movement of silt. In addition to the pond network, the control of possible leachate breakouts on site minimizes surface water impacts. Surface water bodies around the site perimeter are monitored on a regular basis for typical landfill parameters to assess the impact from composting operations as well as the April

68 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update operation of a groundwater containment well system. Analytical results are reviewed regularly, summarized, assessed in terms of acceptable limits and established trigger parameters, compared to previous trends, and documented in an annual report. This report is submitted to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) in conjunction with the groundwater monitoring program. 4.6 Leachate Control System During development of the 1986 Master Plan, recommendations regarding a leachate control program could not be made as final conclusions from the 1986 hydrogeological program were not available. However during this time it was noted that leachate breakouts were occurring and these were repaired as identified. Based on concerns that leachate was moving off site via surface water runoff to the southwest, remedial actions were taken to improve the surface water drainage network. These works stopped the off-site flow of potential leachate impacted surface water. Monitoring results reported in the 2002 annual report confirmed that leachate continued to be present within the landfill and contributed to groundwater impacts downgradient of the former disposal area, specifically in the south and southwest area of the site. In addition, staff noticed that the amount of condensate being extracted from the existing landfill gas collection system was increasing, indicative of elevated levels of leachate within the landfill. This build up of leachate over time was beginning to have a negative impact on the ability to effectively capture and contain landfill gas. As a result, staff developed a leachate control plan, with input provided by the MOE, consisting of the following major components: Design and construction of a pilot scale extraction well containment system on the southcentral portion of the site; and Evaluation and installation of an enhanced landfill gas condensate/leachate collection system. April

69 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update The original extraction well system consists of a groundwater extraction well (CL-PW2 see Figure 4.12) equipped with a submersible pump and controls housed within a small pumping station building, a discharge pipe network from the well to the surface water pond, as well as all necessary electrical and mechanical installations. The system has been in operation since November, 2005 under amended C of A No XCL2H and Permit To Take Water No YPPD. Figure 4.12: Extraction Well System (CL-PW2) After evaluating several years of monitoring data for CL-PW2, the Region installed a second extraction well (CL-PW3) in September 2008 along the western side of the Site in the vicinity of CL-64. Extraction well CL-PW3 was installed to contain a westerly-trending leachate plume towards the municipal wells G7 and G8. A 72-hour constant rate pumping test was undertaken at CL-PW3 in September 2009 to quantify the effect of pumping CL-PW3 on the aquifer system. This pump test was completed in accordance with the temporary Permit to Take Water No HHMXP. The Region plans to undertake full commissioning of extraction well CL-PW3 in Ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of this system in conjunction with the operation of CL-PW2 will determine whether there will be a requirement for additional extraction wells in the future. The overall effectiveness of extraction well CL-PW2 drastically declined towards the end of Downhole camera work performed on CL-PW2 revealed significant corrosion of the well casing. In January 2010, the Region made a decision to discontinue operating CL-PW2 as a extraction well and install a new replacement extraction well. Installation of the new extraction well CL-PW4 and a 24-Hour constant rate pumping test was completed in June Connections to the existing pumping station building and discharge pipe network are planned to be completed in 2011, followed by full commissioning. The Region will operate the replacement well under the current C of A and Permit to Take Water. April

70 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update In addition to the extraction well system, in October 2005, the Region commissioned the operation of the leachate collection system (LCS). The LCS system was designed to intercept leachate along the southern perimeter boundary of the former disposal area to minimize mounding of leachate on the base of the landfill, reduce the seepage through the base, to minimize the occurrence of leachate seeps through the final cover, and to eliminate the need to store and truck the landfill gas condensate off-site. The LCS consists of a perforated perimeter toe-drain on the south side of the landfill that is connected by a series of access manholes that allows leachate to flow via gravity into sublift Pump Station PS1. Pump Station PS1 lifts leachate to the main Pump Station, PS2. PS2 pumps the leachate through a forcemain to the closest sanitary sewer located at the corner of Clyde Road and Dobbie Drive. Construction of the sanitary forcemain was approved under C of A No ZKG99. Appendix A.12 shows the location of the two pump stations and the perimeter system. 4.7 Landfill Gas Control and Utilization The 1986 Master Plan recommended the periodic assessment of methane gas conditions at the Cambridge Landfill. A series of 43 gas probes were installed by 1994 and are located throughout the site. The gas probes continue to be sampled on a regular basis. The gas probe monitoring is part of Phase One of the Gas Action Plan prepared for the Cambridge Landfill which implements a long-term landfill gas management program. Phase Two involved a feasibility analysis of gas volumes and utilization that was completed in The feasibility study led to Phase Three, the installation of a landfill gas control system in Appendix A.13 shows the gas collection system. April

71 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.13: Cambridge WMF Gas Collection Facility and Flare The gas collection and flaring system was designed to control odours and the subsurface migration of gas (see Figure 4.13). The landfill gas control system included the installation of 44 vertical extraction wells on the site, connected to a common pipeline leading to a blower and flaring station. The system conveys gas from vertical wells under vacuum pressure and flared the gas at temperatures of 900 o C to break down emissions. In 1996, the Region accepted a proposal from Gerdau Ameristeel (Gerdau) to utilize landfill gas collected from the Cambridge Landfill. Gerdau, a steel manufacturer, proposed to use the landfill gas in their reheat furnace and thereby reduce their requirement for natural gas. Gerdau designed, constructed and financed all facilities and upgrades required for landfill gas utilization. This work included an additional blower, a gas pipeline from the landfill site to their plant, and the modification of their furnace to burn landfill gas. The system was further expanded in 2006 increasing the total number of gas extraction wells to 68. Figure 4.14 shows the Cambridge WMF gas collection facility with the Gerdau plant in the background. April

72 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update Figure 4.14: Cambridge WMF Gas Collection Facility and Gerdau The gas utilization system came on-line in August 1999 and in 2004, Gerdau completed upgrades which allow them to draw a greater volume of gas from the system. The Region and Gerdau have a long term agreement in place for Gerdau to utilize the landfill gas. Under the agreement the Region received a lump sum royalty for the first four years from Gerdau and as of August 1, 2003, the Region began receiving royalties for the use of the gas based on the volume used and the fuel content of the gas. Refer to Section for more financial information. 4.8 Future Plans The location of the Inert/Borrow Area with potential accessibility to Clyde Road makes this area of the site a prospective area for future development. Several site development concepts have been developed however no definitive plan has emerged. In the mean time, a filling plan will be formalized and areas will be graded and seeded to minimize erosion. With the successful launch of the organics collection program within the Region of Waterloo, the existing green bin organics transfer facility will require expansion and upgrades. The options available to the Region will be evaluated before proceeding with changes in this area. April

73 Waste Management Master Plan 2011 Update In addition, the employee facility at the site is over 20 years old and will require improvements. The existing fuel dispensing system needs to be evaluated to ensure it continues to meets the requirements of the site. April

74 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 5.0 RURAL SMALL VEHICLE TRANSFER STATIONS 5.1 Introduction The 1986 Master Plan made several recommendations regarding the development of new rural small vehicle transfer stations as well as upgrading existing transfer stations. The Master Plan outlined specific guidelines for the rural transfer stations as follows: Transfer stations to be limited to residential waste not exceeding 200 kg per load, with industrial and commercial wastes excluded; Municipal wastes collected by packer trucks to be excluded from the transfer stations; Transfer stations are to accommodate automobiles, horse (or tractor) drawn vehicles, trucks up to 1 tonne, and trailers; Bins are to be provided at each station for the collection of separated wastes including recyclables and compostables; and Transfer stations are to be fully supervised during hours of operation to ensure compliance with Regional waste management policies. Policies on providing waste management service are as follows: All Regional residents are to be serviced by a single facility (transfer station or landfill) within a maximum direct distance of their residence of 16 km. The service area policy will not apply in the case of a closure involving one of the major landfills that serve more than one municipality. If this occurs, the policy is to be re-examined. Based on the preceding guidelines, four rural small vehicle transfer stations were constructed or upgraded in the late 1980's as follows: Woolwich (Elmira) Transfer Station; North Dumfries (Ayr) Transfer Station; Wilmot (New Dundee) Transfer Station; and Wellesley (Crosshill) Transfer Station. In 1999, used oil collection facilities were added at each of the rural transfer station. The locations of these sites are shown on the Regional map A.1 in the Appendix. Details on the construction and operation of each site are provided in the following sections. April

75 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 5.2 Woolwich (Elmira) Transfer Station This facility was described in the 1986 Master Plan as being urgently needed to replace the service provided to the Town of Elmira and the surrounding Township by the Woolwich landfill. As such, the design for the site was completed in The design incorporated an attendant kiosk; a concrete sawtooth wall to hold a variety of bins for wastes, recyclables, and compostables; and an access and landscape plan. Based on the Master Plan recommendations, the transfer station was constructed at the end of Howard Avenue in Elmira. Regional staff handles the pick up of bins at all of the transfer stations. The facility is currently open Tuesday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The facility accepts residential waste, used oil, recyclable and compostable material. The current layout of the facility is shown on Figure 5.1. Regional staff is currently conducting an operational functionality review considering current and future growth. KIOSK WASTE DISPOSAL AREA USED OIL DEPOT Figure 5.1: Woolwich Transfer Station, 155 Howard Avenue, Elmira April

76 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 5.3 North Dumfries (Ayr) Transfer Station Given that the Ayr Landfill was to close, the construction schedule for the North Dumfries transfer station was similar to the Elmira site in the sense that the design was complete by the end of The design incorporated an attendant kiosk; a concrete sawtooth wall to hold a variety of bins for wastes, recyclables, and compostables; and an access and landscape plan. The transfer station was designed and constructed adjacent to the closed Ayr landfill on North Dumfries Township Road 8 in The site is currently open Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and accepts residential waste, used oil, recyclable, and compostable materials. The current layout of the facility is shown on Figure 5.2. No changes to the operation of the North Dumfries facility are planned at this time. KIOSK K WASTE DISPOSAL AREA USED OIL DEPOT Figure 5.2: North Dumfries Transfer Station, 1766 Reidsville Road, Ayr April

77 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 5.4 Wilmot (New Dundee) Transfer Station The Wilmot facility existed prior to the start of the Master Planning process. As a result, the recommendations contained in the 1986 Master Plan focused on upgrading the site. The recommended changes were based on the standard designs that were completed for the Elmira and Ayr locations. The upgrades included improved access, resurfacing, a new kiosk, and a bin wall to replace the existing ramp system. These modifications were implemented in The facility is currently open Saturday from 8:00 a. m. to 4:00 p.m. and accepts residential waste, used oil, recyclable, and compostable materials. The current layout of the facility is shown on Figure 5.3. No changes to the operation of the Wilmot facility are planned at this time. WASTE DISPOSAL AREA USED OIL DEPOT KIOSK Figure 5.3: Wilmot Transfer Station, 1788 Huron Road, Wilmot Township April

78 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 5.5 Wellesley (Crosshill) Transfer Station Similar to the Wilmot site, the Wellesley transfer station was in operation prior to the start of the Master Planning process. Therefore, the recommendations contained in the 1986 Master Plan pertained to upgrading the site. The upgrades included improved access, resurfacing, a new kiosk, and a bin wall to replace the existing ramp system. These modifications were implemented in The facility is currently open Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The facility accepts residential waste, used oil, recyclable, and compostable materials. The current layout of the facility is shown on Figure 5.4. No changes to the operation of the Wellesley facility are planned at this time. KIOSK WASTE DISPOSAL AREA USED OIL DEPOT Figure 5.4: Wellesley Transfer Station, 2730 Manser Road, Wellesley Township April

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80 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 6.0 CLOSED LANDFILL SITES 6.1 Introduction The Region is responsible for ongoing monitoring and maintenance at four closed landfills: Kitchener, Woolwich, Ayr, and Cheese Factory Road. The locations of these closed landfills are shown on the Regional map A.1 in the Appendix. This section of the report provides an update on the closure and post-closure care activities at each of these four closed landfills. The 1986 Master Plan stated that the operation of the three small rural landfill sites (Ayr, Woolwich, and Cheese Factory Road) should be phased out due to poor subsurface conditions with respect to landfilling and the lack of cover materials. In addition it was concluded that longterm landfilling activities within the Region should be centralized at the Waterloo and Cambridge landfills. Waste management services for these rural areas are now provided by transfer stations and enhanced rural collection service. Section 5.0 provides additional information about the rural small vehicle transfer stations. In addition to identifying the need for the site closures, the 1986 Master Plan also outlined conceptual closure plans. These closure plans provided preliminary specifications for final cover materials and thicknesses, surface drainage, leachate control, and methane gas testing. In addition to the surface capping of the sites, the 1986 Master Plan also recommended post-closure care programs to define ongoing surface and subsurface monitoring, as well as site maintenance. 6.2 Rural Landfill Site Closures The former Woolwich Landfill is located on the south side of Township Road 7, two km east of Regional Road 21. It is located 8 km north of Elmira in the Township of Woolwich. No further disposal of refuse occurred at this site after the opening of the Woolwich (Elmira) transfer station in November As recommended in the 1986 Master Plan, refuse from Woolwich Township was either taken directly to the Waterloo Landfill or to the new Woolwich transfer station. April

81 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update During the fall of 1987, final closure of the Woolwich Landfill was completed. The former Ayr Landfill is located in Lot 31, Concession 9, 1766 Reidsville Road in the Township of North Dumfries. No refuse disposal has occurred since 1987 when the North Dumfries (Ayr) transfer station commenced operation at the same location. As recommended in the 1986 Master Plan, refuse from the Township of North Dumfries was directed to either the Cambridge Waste Management Facility or the North Dumfries (Ayr) transfer station. The final closure of the Ayr Landfill was undertaken during the summer and fall of The former Cheese Factory Road Landfill is located on the east side of Township Road 16, south of Myers Road, in Lot 6, Concession 8 in the Township of North Dumfries. The site was closed in September 1987 and no further disposal of waste has taken place. As recommended in the 1986 Master Plan, refuse from the Township of North Dumfries was directed to either the Cambridge Waste Management Facility or the North Dumfries (Ayr) transfer station. Final closure of the Cheese Factory Road Landfill took place in For all three of the rural landfill sites, closure involved capping of the landfill area with a specified compacted thickness of a suitable low-permeable clay material to reduce infiltration and the associated generation of leachate. Following placement of the clay cap, the sites were revegetated by placing topsoil and seed. A site closure report was prepared for each location which outlines site monitoring programs. At each location, the surface condition of the final cover is inspected on a regular basis for cracking, settlement, ponding, and erosion. If problems are identified, appropriate action is taken to address the situation. Groundwater monitoring wells were also installed at each site during and after closure. These wells are sampled on a regular basis and analyzed for typical landfill parameters. The sampling results are reviewed annually. To date, monitoring results from the former Ayr and Cheese Factory Road Landfills indicate no significant groundwater impacts from the sites with contaminant levels reducing over time. April

82 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The former Woolwich Landfill has had a more comprehensive hydrogeologic investigation conducted due to the complicated subsurface conditions at the site. Impacts from the site appear to be localized close to the site and there is an overall decreasing trend. Ongoing monitoring results are assessed to determine if any further actions are required. 6.3 Kitchener Landfill The former Kitchener Landfill operated as a municipal sanitary landfill during the period from 1958 to the mid 1970's. When the Region of Waterloo was formed it took over operation of the site from the City of Kitchener and phased in closure between 1974 and The Region currently owns and maintains the former Kitchener Landfill property while the surface is leased to the City of Kitchener. Appendix A.14 depicts the final contours of the former Kitchener Landfill site. Several passive and active perimeter landfill gas venting/collection systems were constructed beginning as early as However, these aging venting systems did not provide adequate containment of the gas. In the early 1990's, the Region initiated a program to replace the existing systems with a modern containment system. On the southern half of the site, vertical gas extraction wells are installed at the property boundary to draw gas to a central blower and treatment facility prior to discharge. On the northern half of the site, a system of steel containment walls, vertical and horizontal gas extraction wells, and vertical and horizontal perched water collectors provide containment at the property boundary. The southern system was constructed in 1992 and the northern system was constructed in Both systems are currently operational and are providing effective containment of landfill gas. The system operation is reviewed annually and adjusted to optimize containment and gas collection. 6.4 Current and Proposed Uses In 1997, the Region began leasing the former Woolwich Landfill property to the Elmira RC Flyers for the purposes of flying model airplanes. Use of the land involves grooming one hectare of the property at the southwest end. Liability insurance in the amount of $3 million is April

83 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update maintained with the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada. The land is leased on a year-toyear basis. The City of Cambridge has proposed a leash free dog park at the former Cheese Factory Landfill property. The Region will work with the City of Cambridge to appropriately develop the site for use as a leash free dog park. The City of Kitchener has prepared a Master Plan for development of McLennan Park (Figure 6.1), the former Kitchener Landfill. The first step in that Master Plan was an agreement between the Region and the City of Kitchener to lease the surface of the site. The agreement was finalized in November The Region retains control of the environmental systems as well as access to maintain them while the City of Kitchener has a 49 year lease allowing development of the property for mixed recreational use. The proposed development concept from the City of Kitchener reflects a commitment to develop access roads and parking, landscaping, tobogganing areas, cycling trails, lookouts, a leash-free dog park, sports field development, skateboarding and play areas, and washrooms. Phase 1 consisting of a leash free dog park, tobogganing area, north access off Ottawa Street and parking was completed by the end of An off-road bike course was subsequently built in Phase 2 which includes construction of a south access off Blackhorne Drive, additional parking, play areas, skateboard park, splash pads and a washroom began in 2010 and is scheduled for completion in Figure 6.2 shows the construction of the play structures. Figure 6.1: McLennan Park Entrance Figure 6.2: Construction at McLennan Park April

84 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 7.0 COLLECTION FUNCTION 7.1 Introduction On January 1, 2000, the Region assumed responsibility for the curbside collection of waste and recyclables from the Area Municipalities, administering their contracts to a coordinated end date in The Region is now responsible for the complete waste management function, including collection, disposal and the planning and financing of all residential waste management programs, in all of the seven Area Municipalities. The Region-wide collection contract that covered 2002 to 2009, expired February 28, A new seven year contract for the collection of waste and recycling in the four townships and the tri-cities came into effect on March 2, In the new contract the service level in the tri-city area remained the same, with the exception of adding green bin organics collection. However, the service levels in the townships were enhanced to provide equitable service across the four townships. Under the previous contract the service levels provided in the townships was widely varied. The following section outlines the service levels provided for the tri-cities and the townships. 7.2 Service levels The Region contract which became effective March 2, 2009, offers the following service levels for waste and recycling collection for residents: Cities: Weekly curbside garbage collection; Weekly white goods and bulky item pick-up; Weekly blue box and multi-residential cart recycling collection; Bi-weekly yard waste collection (April to November); Weekly collection of green bins in all three cities; Christmas tree collection; and Used oil collection. April

85 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Townships: Weekly curbside garbage collection for all residents in the townships (rural residents in Woolwich received this service for the first time in March 2009) Monthly bulky item/white goods collection in all areas (new service began in March 2009) Weekly/biweekly blue box and multi-residential cart recycling collection (rural residents in Woolwich received this service for the first time in March 2009); Bi-weekly yard waste collection in most settlement areas between April and November (new service began in 2009); Weekly collection of green bins in most settlement areas (new service began in 2010); and Christmas tree collection in most settlement areas (new service began in January 2010). Information on waste collection services, recycling services and guidelines, green bin organics collection, yard waste collection services and guidelines, and household hazardous waste services is provided in the green section of the local telephone book, or the Region s Internet website at Township residents also receive a calendar that outlines their collection services Business Collection Services Waste collection in the Business Improvement Areas (BIA) within the tri-cities is provided five days a week in Cambridge and six days a week in Kitchener and Waterloo. Within the tri-cities weekly curbside collection is provided to grandfathered businesses outside the BIA areas, if on existing routes. In the townships, all businesses receive collection once-per-week, on their appropriate collection days as long as they generate waste within the bag limits. The Region accepts a maximum of three Blue Boxes and one bundle of cardboard per pickup for any small business on an existing recycling route that is eligible for municipal garbage collection. This applies to any private small business as well as public and non-profit organizations if they are on a residential route (e.g., schools, City Hall, arenas, libraries, daycares, etc.). The materials accepted are consistent with the residential curbside collection program. April

86 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Multi-Residential Service In the fall of 2001, Council directed staff to complete a comprehensive inventory of all multiresidential units (i.e. condominium and rental units) to determine existing waste and recycling collection service levels, service anomalies, and site accessibility. This evaluation also included a review of rebates, which at the time were given in lieu of garbage collection to all multiresidential unit owners in Kitchener and Waterloo. To address the service anomalies identified the Region developed a multi-residential garbage and recycling collection and rebate program, that came into effect on October 2003, and consists of the following components: Provide garbage collection service to condominium and rental townhouses Region-wide, where interior road networks allow large trucks to pass freely (approximately 2,300 units receive this service); and Provide an annual rebate of $29 per unit to all other condominium and rental apartment building and townhouse owners not receiving service (approximately 40,100 units would receive an annual rebate). 7.3 Customer Service With all waste management activities consolidated at the Regional level, the Division is now responsible for over 638,000 customer stops per week. The Division s customer service unit currently handles on the order of 800 to 2,000 customer inquiries per week depending on seasonal issues. A strong customer service focus is a key element of the Division s Strategic Goals. April

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88 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 8.0 WASTE DIVERSON PROGAMS 8.1 Introduction As a result of recommendations contained within the 1986 WM Master Plan, the Waste Reduction Master Plan (WRMP), the Recycling Implementation Plan (RIP), and the Waste Reduction Sequencing Plan, several programs have been developed to divert waste from the Waterloo Landfill. These programs are directed at two broad sectors, Residential and Industrial/Commercial and Institutional (Workplace). Key program components from each sector are listed below. Residential Curbside Blue Box and multi-residential recycling; Green bin organics collection and processing; Backyard and centralized composting; Special collections of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and electronic waste (e-waste); Waste Reuse Area (i.e. Goodwill/Habitat for Humanity/Recycle-cycles) Waste Diversion Area (i.e. tire/metal/wood/white goods); and Public education and promotion. Workplace Assist businesses to identify and reduce waste sent to landfill (at the request of the businesses); Develop and implement projects to illustrate benefits of reducing waste; Develop projects and initiatives to divert from landfill such material as construction and demolition waste (i.e. wooden pallet recycling program and landfill ban); Monitor business waste reduction activities; Develop promotional and educational material; and Maintain an online Industrial Commercial and Institutional waste reduction directory In June 2008, two Region of Waterloo co-op students conducted a residential curbside waste audit. Waste from 12 houses, in each of five separate areas within Waterloo Region, was collected and sorted to determine the composition of waste sent to landfill. This study was designed to examine the composition of the curbside, residential waste stream from single-family detached homes within Waterloo Region. Past residential waste audits provided baseline April

89 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update information. The most recent audit prior to the 2008 audit was completed in While the previous audit did determine the amount of plastic in the waste stream, less effort was taken to identify whether the plastic material was packaging waste. The goal of the June 2008 audit was to determine the amount of plastic film bags and packaging waste found in the residential waste stream. This information can also aid in the decision of whether a Waterloo Region ban be placed on specific types of packaging, such as single-use containers or plastic film bags. The results of the study show that when comparing the data collected from this audit to the 2005 waste audit, there is not a significant change in any of the materials being sent to the landfill. The initial purpose of this audit was to determine the amount of plastics in the waste stream and based on study findings a significant amount of recyclable and non-recyclable plastics end up going to landfill. Plastics accounted for 13 percent of the total waste that was sorted during the audit period. Of this plastic, 75 percent of it is currently non-recyclable in the Region s Blue Box program. Styrofoam and plastic film packaging, such as milk, bread and chip bags, tend to be the major source of plastic waste. As plastic grocery bags have been of major concern in the past, many municipalities including Waterloo Region have started recycling programs for these plastic grocery bags. Even though plastic grocery bags are recyclable, a significant amount of these bags were still found in the waste stream. Residents tend to use these grocery bags to collect garbage throughout their household, as well as dispose of them in their regular garbage instead of recycling them. Information from Waste Audits assists staff to measure the effectiveness of the increased education and awareness programs, develop new waste reduction programs and to optimize existing programs. The following section describes the Region s waste diversion programs for both the Residential and Workplace sectors. April

90 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 8.2 Waste Diversion Programs Residential Blue Box Recycling Programs The Regional residential recycling program includes; Curbside Blue Box and, Multi-residential recycling collection and recyclable drop-off areas at the Transfer Stations. The Curbside Blue Box collection programs have been operated throughout the seven area municipalities since Currently the Region is responsible for program and financial management, and the collection and processing of the recyclables. As the Blue Box program has matured the materials able to be collected and effectively recycled have evolved due to market conditions and changing technologies. Currently the Blue Box program involves the collection of all rigid plastic containers (plastics 1 through 7), drinking boxes, milk and juice cartons, glass bottles and jars, empty aerosol and metal paint cans, metal food and beverage cans, aluminium cans, foil trays and wrap, paper, boxboard, plastic grocery bags and corrugated cardboard. See the Waterloo Region website for a more compete list, Recycling collection services to apartments, townhouses and other multi-residential dwellings with more than six-units have also been provided in the Region since Blue Box materials are collected in a cart recycling program and materials collected are consistent with the curbside Blue Box program. The 1986 Master Plan recommended that the Blue Box collection program include the collection of recyclables at rural transfer stations. This recommendation has been fully implemented. Refer to Sections 3, 4 and 5 for a description of the transfer stations located at the Waterloo WMC and the Cambridge WMF, and the rural transfer stations, respectively. In 2010, as a result of all the Blue Box collection programs outlined above, approximately 37,000 tonnes of recyclables were collected, processed and marketed through the MRC. This represents approximately 20 percent of the annual residential waste stream. An average of 3,000 tonnes of recyclable material was sent to market each month in In addition, the Region boasts a Blue Box participation rate of over 90 percent. Since 1991 to the end of 2010, over 549,000 tonnes of Blue Box materials have been diverted. Figure 8.1 presents the annual recycling tonnage processed at the MRC since April

91 Tonnage (000's) Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Annual Recycling Tonnage ( ) Year Figure 8.1: Annual Recycling Tonnage ( ) As recommended by the RIP, the operation of the sorting lines at the MRC is contracted to a private company. Region staff administers this contract, and are responsible for marketing the processed materials. Recyclables accepted and tonnages processed, and the revenue received (percentage) for each material in 2010 are identified in Figure 8.2 and Figure 8.3, respectively. Further financial information can be found in Section Metals 5.0% Glass 8.8% Plastics 8.8% scrap metals 8.5% Metals 32.3% Glass 0.3% Scrap Metals 4.4% Fibres 72.9% Fibres 32.3% Plastics 26.6% Figure 8.2: Marketed Recyclable Materials Tonnage Figure 8.3: Marketed Recyclable Material Revenues April

92 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Organics Programs Source Separated Organics Program In October of 2004, Regional Council approved the Three Year Waste Reduction Sequencing Plan. This plan included a Food Waste Pilot Project. Based on the 2005 residential waste composition audit, compostable organics represented 21 percent of the Region s waste stream. This confirmed that food waste organics were the largest remaining single portion of the residential waste stream that could easily be separated and diverted from landfill (At that time, residents who were not recycling food waste in backyard composters or vermicomposters were throwing them in the garbage.) The pilot project began in October of 2006 and was expected to run for 12 months. Approximately 1,000 households on five different collection routes in the tri-cities received kits consisting of green bins, sample bundles of paper liner bags, and education packages. Residents were asked to set out their food scraps, paper waste (e.g., shredded paper, paper towels, paper coffee cups, facial tissues), pet waste, and other items such as houseplants, hair, and wooden toothpicks in their green bin to the curb every week on their regular collection day. Unlike other programs, the Region was not allowing any plastic bags, including those labelled as compostable or biodegradable. Residents were encouraged to line their containers with paper liner bags, newsprint or other paper materials to keep organics 100 percent compostable. Plastic bags make the processing of food waste generally very difficult and lead to a lower grade compost product. The pilot was evaluated based on: amount of waste diverted, number and nature of complaints/concerns received, program costs, participation rate and capture rate. The pilot program was designed to assess the cost and effectiveness of a potential full-scale program. Results from the pilot presented to Council in May of 2007 showed that participation was very high (exceeding 90 percent) and well over 300 tonnes of food waste were diverted from landfill. Staff had received requests from many residents wishing to be added to the program. Overall residents participating in the pilot project from fall of 2006 to fall of 2007 had a very positive response with very few complaints. April

93 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update In May of 2007, the one-year pilot was expanded to another 5,000 homes and collection was extended until June One thousand homes were added in each of the five existing pilot areas to test different containers and paper liner bags. The 10,000-home program showed a diversion rate of 20 to 25 tonnes of food waste per week, and participation exceeding 90 percent, with few complaints and little contamination. Given the success of the pilot programs, Waste Management Division staff proposed through the Regional Municipality of Waterloo s 2008 Budget approval to phase-in the green bin program Region-wide over a three year period beginning in October Green Bin collection would target single family homes, and townhouse complexes that receive Regional services for each unit. From 2008 to 2010, approximately 40,000 homes were added each year. Currently there are about 114,000 homes in the tri-cities and 14,700 homes in the Townships that receive Green Bin collection. Given that approximately 30 percent of the Region s population lives in multiresidential buildings, and the diversion potential of businesses, in April of 2010 staff proposed to implement: a pilot program at 60 apartment complexes representing approximately 4000 units. This project will attempt to confirm the suitability and effectiveness of organics collection in large roll-out carts. If successful, and pending Council approval, the remaining units could be added starting in a demonstration project of approximately 40 commercial and institutional premises. This project will attempt to prove that organics diversion is practical and cost-effective. These organics diversion programs will provide information necessary to develop a longer term green bin organics diversion strategy that may include options such as full scale collection/processing for the multi-residential sector and/or an organics ban from landfill. An interim report of the effectiveness of these projects is intended to be presented to Council at the end of April

94 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update In 2010, 7,749 tonnes of organic food waste was collected. If the multi-residential pilot is expanded and an organics ban is implemented it is estimated that over 20,000 metric tonnes of green bin organic waste could be diverted from landfill. Figure 8.4 shows the Waterloo WMF s Green Bin Transfer Area. Figure 8.4: Waterloo WMC Green Bin Transfer Area Centralized Composting A Region-wide centralized composting program has been in operation since the 1990s. Presently, composting operations receive and process yard waste including leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, pumpkins, brush and Christmas trees. In 2010, 29,107 tonnes of organic leaf and yard waste was received at the Waterloo Waste Management Centre and the Cambridge Waste Management Facility for composting. This represents almost 16 percent of the total residential waste stream, and 9 percent of the total waste stream. Compostables received are formed into open windrows (long rows standing about four metres high) which are turned regularly to activate decomposition. The result is a rich, humuslike product for garden use. Figure 8.5 and Figure 8.6 open windrows at the Cambridge WMF. Figure 8.5: Yard Waste Windrow Figure 8.6: Organic Leaf Windrow April

95 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The Region holds Compost Give Away Days twice a year as a means to distribute finished compost and chipped wood to the public, and to encourage continued participation of area residents. Over 2,800 vehicles visited the Waterloo and Cambridge landfills at the compost giveaway events in 2010, picking up close to 1,100 tonnes of finished compost. Compost remaining after these events was sold in bulk to local contractors and municipalities to offset operational costs. To supplement the spring and fall give-away days, the Region has also established wood chip pick-up areas for the public at both the Waterloo and Cambridge facilities. In 2010, outgoing brush and wood chips totalled 7,461 tonnes. On an annual basis, the Region donates approximately 50 tonnes of compost to charitable organizations such as the Food Bank community gardens, church groups, and House of Friendship. Cured compost and wood chip are also used for tree cell construction at the Waterloo facility. The Region continues to evaluate alternatives for utilizing partially or fully cured compost, as the market for fully cured compost is highly variable and seasonal Landspreading of Leaves Program In 1996, the Region began diverting a portion of the autumn municipal loose leaf collection to local farms. The leaves are spread on farm fields with low organic content. The program targets farmlands close to leaf collection areas in the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. The leaves are fully tested to meet provincial certification requirements and to ensure they benefit agricultural soils. The Region draws on the services of a trained agronomist to help determine appropriate application rates, examine nutrient management concerns, and access how to best spread and incorporate the leaves. This service is offered free of charge to the farming community. Approximately 570 tonnes of clean, unbagged leaves were delivered to local farms in The diversion of leaves to farms results in space being freed up on the compost pads for increases in yard waste material. There have been minor changes to legislation (i.e. Nutrient Management Plan) that have slightly impacted the Region s leaf landspreading program and some of the previously suitable farm locations are no longer an option. However, the Region continues to look for additional possible landspreading sites. April

96 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Backyard Composting The Region encourages residents to compost their kitchen and yard wastes at home. Since 1989, the Region has distributed over 84,900 backyard composters to Regional residents. Based on the results of a Regional survey conducted in 2000, it is estimated that approximately 100kg per household are diverted annually through home composting in the Region. This represents an annual diversion of organic waste from landfill of approximately 7,000 tonnes. The Region distributed 2,000 composters in 2010 to residents free of charge and makes the units available during normal operating hours at the Cambridge and Waterloo facilities, and also makes them available in the townships for distribution. The Region also hosts up to four free compost workshops each year to assist residents who are either new to home composting or have been experiencing composting problems. The 3-½ hour workshops provide participants with information and helpful hints on backyard composting, grasscycling, vermicomposting (worm composting) and trouble shooting Alternative Residential Waste Diversion Programs Recommendations for handling special wastes such as tires and Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW) were given in the 1986 WM Master Plan. The RIP subsequently broadened these recommendations to include the establishment of facilities to handle wood received from area residents and local construction and demolition companies. The Three-Year Sequencing Plan outlined plans for electronic waste collection. The following sections provide detail on how the HHW program and other waste diversion efforts have evolved since the 1986 WM Master Plan and RIP Household Hazardous Waste Program The Region has operated a Household Hazardous Waste program since It began with a number of Single Day Events and has since expanded. In 1995 storage facilities were upgraded so that residents were permitted to drop off unwanted household paints at both the Waterloo and April

97 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Cambridge transfer stations during regular business hours. A paint reuse depot was opened in early 1997 at the Waterloo and Cambridge transfer stations. In 2005, a permanent HHW drop-off area was constructed at the small vehicle transfer station (SVTS) at the Waterloo facility. Operation of this depot commenced in conjunction with the normal SVTS operating hours (six days per week) to replace the single day events traditionally held at the Waterloo employee facility garage. In 1999 the Region commenced a used motor oil-recycling program with facilities at each of the six transfer stations. Specially designed tanks for the storage of used oil and equipped with oil filter storage bins have been installed at each of the six small vehicle transfer stations. Once the tanks are full, oil is pumped out for recycling on an as-needed basis. Customers can bring up to 25 litres of used oil and 5 oil filters to the sites per month during normal business hours. In 2010, Regional residents dropped off a total of 131,701 litres of used oil for the entire program. Currently the Region accepts HHW at the Waterloo Transfer station and accepts paints and motor oil at the Cambridge Transfer station (Figure 8.7) during regular business hours. The Region continues to operate 4 single-day events, on Saturdays, at the Cambridge facility and 7 local single-day events: two in Kitchener, two in the Township of North Dumfries and one in each of the three remaining townships. At these facilities and events, residents are encouraged to deliver wastes that are not suited and/or banned from landfilling such as old medicines, paints, paint thinners, cleaning solutions, car batteries, and waste oil. At all locations a maximum of 25 litres per month of HHW can be delivered by residents for safe disposal at no charge. Figure 8.7: Cambridge WTF Paint and Motor Oil Drop-off April

98 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The Region contracts the services of a waste management disposal company to assist in running the single day events off-site. The contractor or Region personnel unload the waste from residents vehicles while the contractor classifies, bulks and packages the waste in preparation for transportation to the final disposal site. The current Certificate of Approval from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) requires that all household hazardous wastes leave the site at the end of each collection day. In 2010, close to 29,000 residents disposed of approximately 587,204 litres of paints and organic chemicals and approximately 4,130 units of car batteries and propane tanks were collected through our HHW drop off program. In addition, approximately 170 residents participated in the paint give-away program and obtained approximately 1,591 litres of paint for reuse. In total, residents dropped off 869 tonnes of Household Hazardous Waste at the two permanent depots and 11 event days Electronic Waste Program Disposal of electronic waste (E-waste) is a rapidly growing global issue and an important component of the waste stream due to its potentially hazardous nature. In June 2004, Regional council approved a residential E-waste diversion program. The program involved a one day amnesty drop-off in the fall of 2004, followed by the provision of permanent drop-off facilities in the spring of 2005 and a formal curbside collection and landfill ban as of June Drop off locations are provided at both the Cambridge and Waterloo Waste Management facilities during operational hours. The E-waste collected is transferred to a reputable processor where the materials are shredded and separated for re-use or recycling. As of 2010 the materials collected include most electronics (see the Regional website for a current and comprehensive list of acceptable E-waste). In 2010, approximately 65 tonnes of E-waste was collected on site at Regional facilities, and an additional 32 tonnes around the Region by Ontario Electronic Stewardship. April

99 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Additional Waste Diversion Programs The 1986 Master Plan and the RIP identified the need for designated areas to receive large quantities of recyclable materials such as used tires and wood. In Waterloo, the Waste Diversion area was constructed in 1991, as part of the Waterloo WMC site development contract. In Cambridge, an area is also available to divert waste. The Region is able to accept solid, nonhazardous inert waste such as scrap tires, metal, ceramic, concrete, brick and glass, wood, brush and yard waste, drywall, white goods, styrofoam and Blue Box recyclables. The Cambridge facility is able to accept and divert the same materials. In December 1995, Ontario Regulation 189/94 took effect which required that, prior to recycling or discarding of CFC-containing white goods, a person certified in accordance with the Regulation must drain the CFC s and appropriately tag the white goods (e.g., refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers). The Regulation permits the Region to continue to receive untagged white goods containing CFC s providing that precautions are taken to prevent uncontrolled release of gas. In response to these new regulations, all untagged white goods containing CFC s received at both the Waterloo and Cambridge facilities, are set aside for proper draining. Draining of these units is handled by a certified staff member who removes the CFC s in accordance with the Regulations. In March 1996, the Region established a CFC surcharge on untagged white goods to reflect the Region s cost to drain the units. A Toilet Replacement program offered through the Region s Water Efficiency Section was launched in October Toilets are received at the Waterloo facility only. The division is able to utilize toilets internally for road building in active landfill areas as they act to improve the ability of road base to drain. Approximately 193 tonnes were diverted in The Region also accepts wood pallets. Between the Waterloo and Cambridge facilities, approximately 1,041 tonnes of pallets were received. Pallets received are either donated to the public or are sold to contractor. Outgoing pallet wood chips totalled 729 tonnes, and out going re-usable pallets totalled 155 tonnes in April

100 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update In the fall of 2010 a drywall recycling pilot was established. In 2010 alone, a total of 337 tonnes of drywall were received and shipped to a gypsum recycler for recovery Re-Use Diversion Programs The Division also operates several other successful diversion programs through partnerships with community organizations. The programs include recycling of textiles and reuse of building materials and household items. Currently the Region is partnered with Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. Goodwill has partnered with the Region of Waterloo to enhance the opportunity to reduce landfill waste by recycling quality items within the Region while enabling Goodwill to fulfil its mission. Goodwill provides textile recycling boxes and collection services at no cost to the Region at the Elmira and Cambridge small vehicle transfer stations. Goodwill also operates an attended donation centre at the Waterloo WMC where residents can drop off their textiles. In 2010, Goodwill diverted approximately 40 tonnes of textiles and reusable household goods. The Region approved a pilot program for diverting reusable building materials in February 1999 in co-operation with Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, and the Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation. Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit organization that provides affordable housing to disadvantaged local families. In 1999, Habitat established an office and drop-off area located at the Waterloo small vehicle transfer station. Residents are permitted to drop off acceptable materials free of charge. Accepted materials include lumber, trim, plywood, panelling, windows, bricks, concrete blocks, masonry, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, paints and stains, carpeting, doors, cabinetry, flooring, hardware, insulation, working appliances and furniture. The Region covers 2/3 of the annual operating expenses of the re-use centre and Habitat centre. In 2010, approximately 700 tonnes of salvageable material was collected by Habitat for Humanity throughout the entire Region and this includes approximately 20 tonnes collected at the depot at the Waterloo WMC. April

101 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update In April of 2006 the Region established a bicycle reuse program. The Waterloo small vehicle transfer station offers a bicycle drop-off area for used bicycles. Here, residents can drop-off old, unwanted or broken bicycles. Through Regional partnerships with organizations such as, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Recycle Cycles, the bikes are picked up and used to teach high school students and others new bicycle repair skills. Once fixed these bicycles are given away, donated, or sold Promotion and Education The importance of an effective promotion and education program was acknowledged in all of the planning documents. As a result, the Waste Division s Public Education and Promotion program includes: Week day, off-site presentations of waste collection and diversion information to schools, community groups and residents and managers of multi-residential complexes; Tours of waste management facilities such as the landfill, the materials recycling centre and centralized composting pads; Preparation and distribution of a bi-annual newsletter Environrews and television, radio and print advertisements to guide residents as they transition to new programs and services; Organizing and participating in environmentally themed special events including the Waterloo-Wellington Children s Groundwater Festival, local Earth Day celebrations, Kidspark and special activities taking place during Waste Reduction Week; Oktoberfest and Christmas parades with the Don t Litter Bug vehicle and blue box trailer; Development of a wide variety of print and non-print materials, website, social media (Twitter, Facebook) and township calendars to increase uptake of specific waste management services and programs such as Household Hazardous Waste, recycling and Green Bin organics collection; and The Environmental Education Centre The Environmental Education Centre After the success of the Catch the Bug Education program developed in 2002 and increasing demand from teachers for a more intensive learning experience, a small unused building at the Waterloo Landfill site was converted into a permanent education facility full of environmentally themed displays. The Catch the Bug Program, focused on the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. Although this program was very successful, it was determined that there was an increasing and April

102 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update sustainable demand for a first-hand experience of landfill operations and technology. While the Catch the Bug program involved delivery of a 20-minute in-school based program to large groups of students in grades JK through grade 6, the new permanent education centre brings visitors to the landfill and allows staff to offer a more specialized and unique waste and environmental learning experience to Region of Waterloo elementary and high school aged children and adults. The Waste Management Environmental Education Centre has three defined goals: 1. To build and sustain improved waste management knowledge and behaviour with emphasis on reducing, reusing and recycling; 2. To facilitate more in-depth discussions with focused, age-appropriate lessons and experiential learning experiences; and 3. To build a sense of personal responsibility for waste related environmental stewardship. The Centre encourages visitors to actively participate in the many waste collection and diversion programs offered by the Region of Waterloo through group discussion and exposure to tactile displays. Both children and adults are encouraged to think about the impact of their daily choices on the local and global environment. The program consists of two components: the Environmental Education Centre and a site tour. At the Education Centre, the education coordinator brings to life topics such as the life cycles of everyday products, the environmental effects of consumption, interaction of the world s ecosystems, sustainability, and the technology behind landfill operations. The site tour includes a visit to the Materials Recycling Centre where all the blue box materials are sorted; the diversion areas; the landfill tipping face and weather permitting, an observation lookout on top of the original closed waste cell. Bringing the student population on-site offers a unique learning experience that cannot be delivered in a traditional classroom setting in the school. Although the majority of program participants are elementary and secondary school age children, many adults and community groups participate in the program each year. The combination of waste education with a physical tour of the landfill offers a lasting and powerful impact for program participants. Waste April

103 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update management education as it relates to everyday life has been and continues to be a key component in the Region of Waterloo s long term waste management strategy Litter Reduction In June 2003, Regional council approved a program to address the increasing and troubling issue of litter reduction and cleanup in Waterloo Region. A Litter Reduction Task Force was formed in the fall of 2003 and included representatives from the Region, the Area Municipalities, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), and all local educational institutions. The main objectives of this task force included: The development of a region-wide anti-littering message with the goal of changing habitual littering behaviour; clarify litter cleanup responsibilities; clarify and strengthen by-law enforcement; and to involve education institutions, community groups and the private sector in cleanups and the promotion of anti-littering behaviour. In spring 2004, the task force unveiled The only cure for Litter is you campaign which continues today. In addition, Regional staff continues to work closely with Area Municipalities to coordinate cleanup activities. To build program awareness, on-going implementation includes a number of different delivery methods, utilizing our joint member resources, including: signage for building exteriors, major hot spot roadways, GRT buses, and municipal vehicles; distribution of promotional items such as car bags, garbage bags and bumper stickers at public events; youth focused posters offered to educational facilities; curelitter.ca website; successful Cash for Trash contests; a radio message and various other media avenues. Early testing and feedback has indicated excellent reach throughout the targeted areas and better than expected message recognition. The Public Education and Promotion program serves to raise public awareness and knowledge of waste management issues while encouraging Regional residents to adopt 3Rs practices. Currently, information regarding the Region s waste management programs and events is included in the current telephone directories, making it easier for residents to find the information that they need. Examples of current promotion and educational material are included April

104 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update in Appendix A.15. Information is also provided on the Region s Internet website at Waste Reduction Programs Workplace At the conclusion of the 1986 Master Planning process, the Region was actively delivering an Industrial Waste Management program. A quarterly newsletter, a waste exchange and an annual seminar/workshop were primary components of the program. Both the newsletter and the seminar series were designed to provide information to industries concerning the latest developments in waste management. The 1986 Master Plan concluded with the recommendation that these programs continue along with the co-ordination of these activities with the residential public education program. The following sections describe waste reduction services that have been available and how the Region continues to assist local businesses and institutions in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. Since 1986, the Region has been educating and encouraging local businesses to reduce the amount of wastes requiring disposal. The waste reduction programs delivered can generally be grouped into five categories. These are: Creation of private and public sector partnerships, where appropriate, to deliver programs in a timely and cost-effective manner; Develop and implement demonstration projects to illustrate achievable benefits and new technologies. Provide expertise to assist businesses perform waste assessments and to develop programs that highlight benefits and ultimately reduce the amount of material sent to landfill; Develop programs to divert from landfill, material such as construction and demolition wastes, and corrugated cardboard. These programs may include the implementation of landfill bans; and Develop promotional campaigns and educational materials to illustrate potential benefits and to communicate waste reduction achievements of local businesses as well as provide an information clearinghouse for local businesses; Private and Public Sector Partnerships With both the public and private sector recognizing the benefits of environmental management and waste reduction, many opportunities exist to develop partnerships and improve the cost- April

105 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update effectiveness of program delivery. Examples of public or private sector partnerships the Region has participated include, but are not limited to: Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment: the Region participated on the CCME s Extended Producer Responsibility Task Group s development of a proposed Canada-wide Strategy for Sustainable Packaging; a set of draft guidelines to stakeholders involved in the production and consumption of packaging; Chamber of Commerce: The Region has sponsored the: Environment and Energy Forum, an annual environmental and energy information seminar designed for local businesses; and Environmental Achievement Awards, a yearly recognition program for local business; Other Government Bodies: The Region works on an as-needed basis with government to deliver programs. Examples include: delivery of the New Business Seminar to encourage the establishment of new recycling opportunities (partnered with the City of Guelph, and the Ministry of the Environment); production of the videos Stop Waste From Addingup and Pulling Together (partnered with other municipal and regional governments); Co-operative Recycling Demonstration Project (partnered with City Green Strategy, a volunteer committee of the City of Cambridge); and Private industry and community organizations: The Region participated in the development of a not-for-profit organization, Waterloo Region Actions for Community Health (WREACH), to deliver energy and water conservation and waste reduction information to area residents and businesses. The Region was one member of a multisectoral Steering Committee established to develop the organization. Other members included: the Chamber of Commerce, Union Gas, Waterloo North Hydro, private consulting business and service providers Waste Diversion Demonstration Projects Example Setting The Region has developed and implemented a number of programs to demonstrate the benefits of reducing waste at source. Examples include: Waste Diversion from Regional Buildings program; A commercial demonstration program for source separated organics for local businesses; In-house studies to assess the opportunities to procuring a wider variety of products containing recycled-content; and Several programs to divert construction and demolition waste from landfill. Target 2000 was developed and implemented in all Regional facilities in 1993 to ensure Regional compliance with the 3Rs Regulations and to demonstrate to local businesses the benefits (financial and environmental) of reducing waste at source. This program includes April

106 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update material diversion programs for the majority of Blue Box materials accepted and in the case of Sunnyside Home for the Aged, the Region implemented a diversion program for incontinence pads. Building on the success of this program, which resulted in 60 percent diversion from landfill, the Region expanded its Waste Diversion from Regional Buildings program in 2009 to include a source separated organics Green Bin program, and corporate diversion of batteries and electronics. A pilot project to improve the existing Regional Headquarters diversion rate of 64 percent by 20 percent was successfully completed, supplementing the existing recycling program with organics diversion in the cafeteria (food preparation), lunch rooms (food waste) and washrooms (paper towel waste), and is currently being rolled out to other Regional facilities. In addition, fluorescent lamp recycling from Regional buildings in 2008 resulted in 980 kilograms of glass, metals, phosphorous and mercury being diverted from landfill. As a compliment to the residential Green Bin organics program, the Region introduced a commercial source separated organics Green Cart demonstration program in the fall of The goal of the demonstration program is to build on the success of the Region s in-house organics diversion program, and show that organics separation is a viable method of waste diversion for all businesses. In 2002, the division provided waste management support to the Facilities Management division during the construction of a new environmental and energy efficient ambulance headquarters. In 2005, the Region of Waterloo committed to a minimum silver LEED standard for all new occupied Regional facilities over 500m 2. As of the year 2008, approximately 8000 m 2 of Regional facilities had been completed to LEED standards (Silver or Gold). Over the next four years this figure will increase to over 30,000 m 2. The environmental advantages of building to this standard include reducing the amount of waste requiring landfill in the Region. The results of the above mentioned demonstration projects and others are communicated to businesses, through the local newspaper and various trade magazines, to initiate and encourage their waste reduction efforts. April

107 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Waste Assessment and Waste Reduction Planning Assistance The primary responsibility of the Region s Workplace Waste Reduction program has been to assist local businesses in complying with government regulations and to minimize their waste disposal costs. Originally, the most effective means of achieving these goals was for staff to personally visit the work-site and to customize the advice given to the present needs of the company. Industry s knowledge on the benefits of waste minimization has significantly increased since the 1986 Master Plan and requests for such customized services have declined. However, the Region is still able to offer the following assistance to local businesses on an as needed basis: Assistance in performing waste assessments ; Opportunities to divert materials from landfill; Communication of techniques to maximize staff participation; Information on available funding sources and new technologies; and if requested Delivery of training or information sessions. Educational materials to support these activities have also evolved since the program inception from report guides to the provision of information via the internet. The Region currently provides a Waste Reduction and Recycling Directory, a listing of companies that reuse and recycle waste materials which is updated on a continuing basis. In addition, links pertaining to the waste reduction industry are also provided (i.e. environmental grants and funding, recyclers, consultants, and waste reduction publications) Promotion and Education Programs The Promotion and Education program was designed to inform local businesses of the benefits of reducing waste and to provide them with the necessary knowledge to achieve significant waste diversion. Most businesses are aware of the advantages of waste diversion, and the program has evolved to one of Support and Education. In the past, this knowledge has been delivered to local businesses through seminars, newsletters, and videos/slide shows. Materials are now mainly made available through the Region s Waste Management website, and new materials, such as case studies and other waste reduction tools are promoted through online methods. April

108 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update As the Region develops new diversion programs targeted at businesses, such as the drywall diversion program, and source separated organics pilot, targeted communication to specific businesses (ex. drywalling contractors, restaurants) yield greater results than a blanket communication approach. 8.4 Material Diversion Programs and Landfill Bans Presently, programs to divert material from landfill through the use of landfill bans have been implemented for: tires, corrugated cardboard, wooden pallets and electronic waste. These items were banned from Regional landfills by Regional Council in 1988, 1990, 2002, and 2004 respectively. Each of these materials can be dropped-off for recycling or composting at the transfer stations. User fees for these are listed on the User Fee Schedule located in Appendix A Future Initiatives Five-year Forecast Implementation of the key waste reduction recommendations contained in the 1986 Master Plan, the RIP and the WRMP has resulted in an approach to waste management which balances the community s need for waste reduction services and waste disposal options. The importance of this balance will be considered when planning for and implementing all future initiatives. Blue Box recycling was first introduced in the City of Kitchener in Since this time, the cost to deliver the Blue Box and associated waste reduction programs has improved due to the consolidation of administrative duties and improved operation efficiencies at the Materials Recycling Centre. Opportunities to further reduce program costs will continue to be reviewed. The Region has supported centralized leaf and backyard composting since 1988 and 1989, respectively. These programs will be continued, and possibilities for expansion are being evaluated. April

109 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The Region has operated a Household Hazardous Waste program since New initiatives have been added to the program and include a paint depot, paint give-away and motor oil recycling. Accessibility to the program and collection system were improved when a permanent HHW drop-off facility was consolidated at the Waterloo transfer station allowing residents access to HHW services during normal operating hours. Staff has observed a significant increase in the number of residents utilizing the HHW program at the Waterloo facility, which results in increased capture of HHW materials. Opportunities to improve the accessibility of the HHW collection system at the Cambridge facility are currently being investigated. In accordance with the three year waste reduction sequencing plan, staff planned to evaluate material bans from landfill, the issue of implementing bag/container limits, and review advanced sorting options for mixed waste. With the success of the curbside organics collection ( Green Bin ) pilot program introduced in 2006, a formal evaluation was put off until the effects of the Green Bin program could be seen. In 2008, the Region began rolling out a full-scale Green Bin program to single-family households throughout the region. Pilot programs for multi-residential facilities, and a demonstration project for the IC&I sector were introduced in 2010, and will continue for the next several years. The evaluation of setting consistent bag limits within the Region was proposed for A number of municipalities have introduced bag limits (i.e. limit the number of garbage bags or containers placed at the curb for collection) in an attempt to divert more waste from landfill. It is believed that by reducing the number of waste containers that are picked up at the curb as garbage, that more materials are diverted from landfill. The decision to introduce the new Green Bin diversion program across the Region placed a new focus on diversion opportunities, rather than bag limits, as a tool to reduce waste sent to landfill. The Green Bin rollout was complete as of October 2010, with all single-family households within the Region of Waterloo having access to the program. The possibility of introducing bag limits remains an option to further increase diversion from households, but currently the majority of Regional resources are being used to promote this new program. April

110 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update One of the potential waste diversion options that has merit involves the advanced sorting and/or segregation of waste streams prior to landfill disposal. A recent example of this type of program is the wooden pallet diversion program that was initiated in 2002, which annually diverts approximately 4,000 tonnes of wood waste. An additional segregation program was introduced in the fall of 2010, diverting drywall for recycling. In the four months that the program was active in 2010, over 300 tonnes of drywall was diverted. Using information obtained from the waste audits, the Region continues to evaluate the sorting of waste residuals from both the residential and IC&I. Waste reduction support has been provided to local businesses since 1986 through the establishment of waste diversion and demonstration programs, and the provision of customized waste reduction assistance. This support will continue. The Region conducted an IC&I waste audit in the spring of The audit revealed that approximately 40 percent of IC&I waste coming into the Cambridge transfer station was composed of C&D materials. As a result, staff has put a recent emphasis in finding diversion opportunities for these materials, resulting in the new drywall recycling diversion program. Staff continues to rely on the results of this audit to identify the needs of the business community and ultimately assist in the development of new programs and future promotion and education activities. April

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112 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 9.0 RESIDUAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING The success of the waste diversion programs for the Region of Waterloo has contributed greatly to extending the life of the Waterloo Landfill. Based on assumptions in the 1986 Waste Management Master Plan, the Waterloo Landfill was anticipated to reach capacity by approximately However, as of the end of 2010, current remaining landfill capacity is between years. The Region is now at the stage where it is the appropriate time to conduct a review of the long-term direction for managing residual waste through a master planning process. In June of 2010, a council report outlined the development of a Terms of Reference and a schedule for a residual waste management planning process. Beginning in 2011, a working group of Regional Councillors and staff will be established to review long-term options for disposal of residual waste. The first task of the working group will be to define the Terms of Reference which will outline the topics to be reviewed and the scope of tasks to be undertaken. The scope of the project is expected to include: Collection of background information, Inspection and tour of relevant facilities, Evaluation of options with conceptual costing, Public input sessions, Refinement of options, and Detailed analysis and costing of preferred options. 9.1 Waste Management Hierarchy Conceptually Figure 9.1 illustrates the order of priorities to be taken when evaluating waste management systems. The first priority should be waste prevention and reduction; followed by re-use; then composting/recycling; then extracting energy and resources from residual waste; and lastly the management of residual waste. As the waste is progressively managed in this prioritized order, the quantities which are required to be managed will be reduced. Since the WMMP, the RIP and the WRMP, the Region has focused on the first three priorities regarding reducing, recycling and composting waste with the remaining waste stream going to landfill. April

113 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The Region intends to fully evaluate the options with the remaining waste the energy and resource extraction and then finally managing the residuals. Residual Energy & Resource Extraction Energy and Resources from Residual Waste Composting/Recycling Re-Use Wastes Prevention / Reduction Figure 9.1: Waste Management Systems - Order of Priorities 9.2 Overview of Potential Alternative Waste Technologies There are presently four basic categories currently available to address the organics and residual waste stream. These categories should be used to evaluate alternative organics and residual waste processing technologies. The four categories and their brief descriptions include: Mechanical (Physical) Processing which involves the physical processing of waste materials by using sorting equipment such as screens, conveyors and magnets to separate recyclable materials and waste requiring further treatment or disposal. April

114 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update Biological Processing which uses micro-organisms such as aerobic or anaerobic bacteria to break down and stabilize organic matter such as food and paper waste, both of which are expected to remain in the residual waste stream to a lesser degree after curbside organics are removed. Thermal Processing which includes conventional combustion processes of incineration, energy-from-waste (EFW), waste-to-energy (WTE), as well as emerging technologies of gasification (the conversion of hydrocarbons in the waste stream to thermal energy, carbon dioxide and water) and pyrolisis, Landfilling which involves the process of a controlled filling of an area, lining the base with impermeable liners, and collecting the gas and leachate from the waste. 9.3 Evaluation Criteria for Alternative Waste Technologies It is important that the evaluation of the alternative technologies be methodological, so that the conclusions will be derived from a logical, traceable and transparent process. Early organization is vital, because as the study progresses, information will be obtained from input from a number of sources with different levels of expertise, e.g. waste management technology industry representation, public participation, government agency consultation, engineering input, legal assistance, environmental consultants, and financial information. Moreover, the scope of information on the different waste management systems will need to be consistent in order to make unbiased comparisons. The broad categories for evaluation should include but not be limited to: The environment, Economic/financial costs, Technical considerations, Social/cultural impacts, and Legal implications. April

115 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 9.4 Future Plans The Region will continue to observe the waste management planning processes within the Province of Ontario as well as other areas adopting residual waste management technology. The Region will gather information on residual waste management practices, especially any information regarding the implementation of new technologies. Further evaluation will be completed on the waste management options available to the Region. April

116 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update 10.0 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 10.1 Introduction This section will provide a current financial overview of the Waste Management Division. The financial overview will include a summary of capital and operating budgets, program funding sources, and financial planning Capital and Operating Budget The Waste Management budget funds the day to day activities of the various programs and services offered by the Division including the Waterloo Landfill site. In 2011, the overall budget for the Waste Management division totals $42.1 million. A general breakdown of the 2011 budget includes 52 percent for waste collection and disposal operations, and 48 percent for waste diversion programs and collection. The budget includes the personnel necessary to complete all the services provided by the Division which totals 79 full-time equivalents in Capital projects account for a fifth of the overall Waste Management budget for These capital projects total approximately $8.3 million and include major construction or one-time projects. The Region also budgets on a ten year time frame. The current ten year capital forecast ( ) totals approximately $86 million. The following is a list summarizing some of the major capital projects included in the ten year capital forecast. Master planning (new technology evaluation and implementation) New Cell Design and Construction (north & south expansion Waterloo) Waterloo Landfill Gas System Upgrades Leachate Control System & Hydrogeological Studies (Waterloo) Transfer Station and Weigh Scales Upgrades (Waterloo) Cambridge Transfer Station Upgrades Employee Facility Upgrades (Cambridge) Leachate Control & Hydrogeological Studies (Cambridge) Enduse Planning and Site Closure (Cambridge) Expansion of Compost Program Materials Recycling Centre (building and equipment upgrades) Closed Landfill Sites (various hydrogeology, gas & leachate projects) $12.5 million $16.8 million $ 4.4 million $ 7.9 million $ 5.2 million $ 2.3 million $ 2.8 million $ 1.6 million $ 1.2 million $ 4.9 million $ 5.6 million $ 2.1 million April

117 Waste Management Master plan 2011 Update The vehicle and equipment replacement program is also part of the capital budget and ten year forecast. The Division has over 60 vehicles and heavy equipment in the fleet valued at approximately $8 million. In the past, the size and composition of the equipment fleet has been changed to fewer and more versatile pieces of equipment with lower operating costs Waste Management Funding Sources The Waste Management Division has historically been a user rate area that raises a significant portion of its own revenues to fund the waste management programs offered. However with the changing dynamics of the Region s Waste Management system, numerous waste diversion programs and the increased costs of diverting waste from landfill along with decreased landfill tipping fees because of reduced tonnage, the funding requirement from the tax base has increased. The Division s current funding sources are property tax funding, landfill disposal fees, the sale of recyclable materials, debentures, landfill gas sales and external grants including a Waste Diversion Ontario Blue Box allocation. As mandated by the Waste Diversion Act, in 2004, the Region began receiving funds from the Waste Diversion Organization (WDO) to offset the cost of the municipal Blue Box program. The grant for the 2010 program year was approximately $2.6 million. A pie chart summarizing all funding sources is illustrated in Figure 10.1 and a brief summary of the funding sources is provided in the following sections. Funding Sources (2010 Budget) Commercial Tip Fee 21% Gas Sales/Other 5% Debentures 9% External Grants 10% Sale of Recyclables 9% Property Tax Funding 46% Figure 10.1: Funding Sources (2010 Budget) April